Why Curse the Darkness When You Can Light a Candle?

by Patricia Garibay

As the 20th century came to a close, a petite, stay-at-home mom took on a giant that was poisoning our young girls.

What started as a gathering of concerned parents and girls around a small kitchen table has now grown to be one of the largest scout-type organizations in the world. The Garibays' story chronicles the twenty-five-year journey of American Heritage Girls from its humble beginnings, the insurmountable problems, and the joy of seeing the providential hand of God map out every detail.

Patti Garibay knew something was not right, and after seeing a shocking agenda, she knew it was time to take a stand against the Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Though the battle was intense at times, Patti and her husband Pat were not prepared for all that God had planned to do with a small ember of passion.

Seeing lives changed and making sure each girl knows they are loved was enough for Patti to suit up and get in the battle. Armored with trust and obedience, Patti’s transparent and vulnerable true story resonates with others who have a passion for making a difference yet struggle with the fear of inadequacy. With Christ, all things are possible.

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2020

About the author

For more than two decades, Patti Garibay has been at the forefront of countering the culture by leading girls and women to creating lives of integrity. She is the founder and executive director of American Heritage Girls (AHG), a national Christ-centered leadership and character development program. She helps thousands of girls discover their true identity and purpose in Christ through AHG’s transformative programming.

Prior to creating AHG, Patti served for 12 years as an active leader and volunteer in Girl Scouts USA (GSUSA). She was highly influential in sharing the gospel with her troop in West Chester, Ohio. In response to major changes in the direction of GSUSA in 1993, the course of Patti’s life changed. She heard the voice of God call her to start something new. Patti drew strength from her wealth of leadership opportunities, her love for her country and her passion for youth development, to take a leap of faith in starting AHG in 1995. Today AHG stands strong with over 52,000 members globally. There are AHG Troops in all 50 states and 15 countries through the Trailblazer Program.

With fearlessness and authenticity, Patti inspires and motivates audiences with her wisdom and experience with raising Godly girls, following God’s calling and teaching youth to serve. She is the host of the Raising Godly Girls radio minute featured on thousands of radio station across the nation. Through her work with AHG, Patti continues to create innovative ways to break barriers in reaching girls for Christ in the midst of today’s culture. Garibay has been featured in hundreds of media outlets including: Axis’ Parenting Teen Summit, Axis’ Online Homeschool Convention, FamilyLife Radio, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, and she was one of the first guests featured on James Dobson’s Family Talk. Garibay was named a woman of excellence by the West Chester – Liberty Chamber Alliance in 2004, was named a member of the American Family Association’s ‘40 Faithful’ in 2017, In the Market with Janet Parshall, Fox News, Up for Debate with Julie Roys, Christian Post, and was nominated and selected as a Woman of Influence through LEAD Magazine in 2017.

Patti and her husband, Pat, are blessed with four grown children, three girls and a boy, six grandsons and three granddaughters. Patti and her four siblings were raised by a disabled father who lived with MS for forty years before his death in 2004. His encouraging attitude of “why curse the darkness when you can light a candle” inspired Patti as she founded the faith-based interdenominational alternative to the Girl Scouts in 1995. She served American Heritage Girls as its first President and Executive Director. She also served as a volunteer Unit Leader for her AHG Troop for nine years.

Reviews

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am looking to move away from a large secular youth organization and was looking for Christian options and into American Heritage Girls specifically. Our local troop leader let me borrow her copy of this book. I was expecting it to be more focused on the AHG part of the author's story, but it is really more about the author's life and her faith story. Probably not as strong of a book as most memoirs I've read, but still a good story of faith. The section of how they broke away from the Girl Scouts in the 90s is small, but interesting.

[Shelleen Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Patti's story of what feels like a redemption of what was stolen. Bravo for her and for all the girls blessed to be a part of American Heritage Girls.

[Crystal Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and refreshing read. It is honest, humble and heartwarming. I definitely recommend ❤️

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuine. Transparent. Great biography from the lady who started American Heritage Girls.

[Kimberly K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love AHG. Great hearing more from the founder.

[Kaitlin Mullins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a compelling story of how God used one woman to bring about a change that would touch so many lives! What a blessing American Heritage Girls is!