by Lori Johnson
Since I started my business, I’ve had to do very little advertising. Once the word was out that I was teaching an automotive class for women, I was getting contacted at least once a week from people inquiring about the class. I’ve taught for dealerships, independent shops, adult education centers and even private businesses, but the call from the Girl Scouts has been the most interesting.

In March of 2007 I received an e-mail from Bev Redd from the Girl Scouts of Freedom Valley, just outside of Philadelphia.

She explained to me that the Girl Scouts now offered a Car Care badge. In the past they had asked one of the fathers to come and teach the girls about car maintenance, and then she read an article about my business of teaching women automotive maintenance and thought about what a great opportunity it would be for a female to teach this badge. I was intrigued to say the least. I sure don’t remember working on cars when I was in the girl scouts! Bev felt that having a female technician would also show the girls the career opportunities available for women in the automotive field.

Bev sent me the tasks that the girls needed to accomplish in order to earn their badge. She has a group of juniors that range from 4^th-6^th grade. I was excited to see that it required them to check fluid levels, learn how to use an owners manual, check tire pressure, learn about career opportunities in the automotive field, learn what needed to be recycled and ways automobiles could help save the environment.