Eastern Missouri Girl Scout Receives Organization’s Medal of Honor
December 05, 2023
St. Louis, MO – December 5, 2023 – Girl Scouts of the USA and Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri (GSEM) recently honored fifth grade Girl Scout, Ruth Martin, with the organization’s Medal of Honor after she jumped into action this spring to assist a fellow student who was choking during lunch period. She was presented with the Medal of Honor by GSEM CEO, Dr. Natissia Small, during a special ceremony at Rockwood’s Center for Creative Learning, yesterday afternoon.
On April 14, 2022, Martin was enjoying her school lunch with her fourth-grade friends when one of her classmates, and a fellow Girl Scout, began to cough and put her hands to her throat, signaling that she was choking. Martin jumped into action and hurried to her classmate, where she administered the Heimlich maneuver multiple times, while another student called for a teacher’s assistance. Martin’s quick action saved her friend that day when she showed presence of mind and true Girl Scout spirit in an emergency.
“Receiving the Girl Scouts Medal of Honor feels amazing,” said Martin. “I didn’t think it was such a big a thing to do, I just did the right thing.”
The Girl Scout Medal of Honor is given to girls who save a life or attempt to save a life without risk to the girl’s own life. This award is reserved for Girl Scouts who have performed heroic acts beyond the degree of maturity and training to be expected at their age. GSEM is proud to officially recognize Martin as one of these remarkable heroes.
“On behalf of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri we are so proud of Ruth! She demonstrated composure and took action during a critical time which is extraordinary,” said Dr. Natissia Small, CEO of Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri. “She is so deserving of this honorable recognition by highlighting her act of heroism and demonstration of fulfilling the Girl Scout mission!”
