Emily Brothman is inducted into inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts

For more than a century, the rank of Eagle Scout has been the highest honor of achievement in Boy Scouts of America and Andover Borough like many communities in Sussex County has long supported scouting and has been the beneficiary of many Eagle Scout projects.

This month, however, Andover Borough celebrates a scouting landmark that few others can claim. With a population of approximately 600 residents, it is remarkable that Andover Borough is home to one of only 932 young women in this country inducted into the inaugural class of female Eagle Scouts.

Emily Brothman, a founding member of BSA Troop 1150 of Sparta, has been involved in scouting since a young age and remembers participating with her brother in many Cub Scout experiences, but never able to achieve any of the advancements because as a girl she could not register as member with the organization. All that changed in 2019, when girls were formally invited to participate in the restructured Scouts BSA program.

Brothman, 19, now a freshman at Penn State University Park majoring in immunology and infectious disease, is no stranger to hard work. When faced with the possibility of becoming an Eagle scout in a program she has always loved she jumped at the chance.

“I’ve been involved with scouting since the age of four and I recognized early on the commitment and dedication it took to reach the rank of Eagle Scout,” she said. “I also knew because I was a girl that I wouldn’t be provided that opportunity and it was difficult because I knew I had what it took to meet the challenge.”

With just enough time to move through the ranks and required advancement to become eligible for Eagle status, a task generally taking four or more years, this scout was determined to succeed. Her efforts also resulted in receiving 2020 Sussex District Scout of the Year award and 2020 Eagle Scout Alumni Association Merit Scholarship.