Shannon Meadows, the Girl Scout leader of Troop #35017, has led a group of 10 girls for about eight years.
The Springfield News-Sun asked readers to nominate people – Unsung Heroes – from their communities who go above and beyond to help others, but rarely receive recognition for their work. These Unsung Heroes have been profiled in the News-Sun throughout the holiday season.
Hensel said she nominated Meadows not only for going above and beyond for the troop, but for her advocation efforts in helping the displaced population in Springfield.
“She just wants to help everyone and she does,” Hensel said.
Meadows is also the community development director for the city of Springfield.
“Particularly when it comes to Girl Scouts, being with the girls and their families and having these opportunities of growth and leadership that’s what fills my soul to be able to go back into city hall and on the streets of Springfield each day to do the work that I get to do,” Meadows said.
She added, “I don’t see it as being a hero.”
Meadows said as a Girl Scout leader she teaches her girls the importance of having courage, confidence and character. While she does this, she is helping build a sisterhood that the girls can rely on throughout their lives.
“At the end of the day, I feel like I will be successful if they can have the same sense of “I can do this” that I had as a young adult and young professional,” Meadows said.
She told the News-Sun that she became a Girl Scout in the third grade, but almost quit because she didn’t want to wear her Girl Scout uniform to school on gym day. She said she finally told her mom why she wanted to quit and her mom fixed the problem by buying her uniform pants.
“Sometimes you just really have to listen to your mom and not stop things,” Meadows said.
When Meadows’ daughter, Sophia, was in kindergarten and wanted to be a Girl Scout, she said she jumped at the chance to be a troop leader because of the skills and values she had learned through her own experiences in Girl Scouts.
“Vickie Mahan (Meadows’ Girl Scout leader) did exactly for me what I pray that I can for these girls which was create that sense that someone is always going to have my back,” Meadows said.
Troop #35017 has not been able to meet in-person because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Hensel said Meadows continues to keep the girls’ spirits up by dropping off little surprises and items that will help prepare them for the cookie sale season.
“The girls are starting to learn the same types of business pivots that all the other independent businesses basically in the world have had to think about and deal with (because of the pandemic),” Meadows said.
Meadows said in April and May the girls helped make cloth masks for individuals who might be going into homes to care for the elderly. She said her troop was also part of the effort to deliver over 7,000 boxes of cookies to front-line workers.
“We work pretty hard to do things quietly and sit back and watch the smiles grow,” Meadows said.
Much like the Girl Scouts, Meadows continues these quiet acts of kindness through her job at the city of Springfield.
She said she has worked for the city for 20 years. As the community development director, Meadows said she manages daily operations of the department including oversight of the Housing and Urban Development entitlement funds and other grant dollars.
During the pandemic, Meadows said she has focused on advocating for individuals that have been displaced from their homes and supporting agencies that are helping those individuals become stable again.
“Much like girl scouts we do things to help others without really needing people to know who we are,” Meadows said.
Name: Shannon Meadows
Age: 44
Organizations: Girl Scouts, City of Springfield
Hometown: Springfield
Person who inspired you and why? Her former Girl Scout leader, high school teacher, college advisor and family have inspired her by giving advice and encouraging her to never give up.
About the Author
