Anti-abortion groups want Girl Scout cookie boycott over Wendy Davis tweet

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SAN ANTONIO — A coalition of anti-abortion groups is trying to crumble Girl Scout cookie sales because of a Twitter post of an online news article that recognized several accomplished women, including gubernatorial hopeful Wendy Davis, who rose to national attention with a filibuster against anti-abortion legislation in the state Senate.

The coalition of groups, spearheaded by Pro Life Waco, has organized a boycott of Girl Scout cookies because its members say the organization has publicly supported the Fort Worth Democrat, and other “feminists” who defend abortion rights.

But the Twitter post since has been deleted and the national Girl Scout organization issued an apology last week, saying “our sharing of the article was not meant to signal an endorsement of any of the women featured.”

“It's unfortunate that we have special interest groups who are using the Girl Scouts to promote their agenda. Particularly since today begins the National Girl Scout Cookie Weekend kickoff,” said Stephanie Finleon, Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas chief development and communications officer.

A spokeswoman for the Davis campaign declined to comment on the boycott but said Davis was a Girl Scout Brownie when she was a child and served as a Brownie troop leader for her daughter's troop in Fort Worth.

John Pisciotta with Pro Life Waco, the boycott's organizer, said of the effort: “It's substantially an education campaign for parents.”

The group is airing radio ads on five stations in Central Texas to push “CookieCott 2014.”

The tussle began in December when the Twitter account for the Girl Scouts' national organization shared a link to a Huffington Post article titled, “These Incredible Ladies Should Be Women of the Year for 2013,” which included Davis, as well as Houston-born pop star Beyoncé and others.

Pisciotta said a number of national anti-abortion groups have joined the boycott and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee posted about the campaign on his Facebook page last week.

“It struck a nerve,” he said.

The Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas is based in San Antonio, covers 21 counties and includes more than 10,000 Girl Scouts in about 900 troops.

Girl Scout cookie sales generate $790 million for the group each year and money raised goes to support programs for members.

The Girl Scouts said the boycott against them is undeserved.

The only member of the Girl Scouts National Board of Directors who contributed to a Texas political candidate is Catherine Coughlin of Dallas, and she donated to a Republican.

Since 2009, campaign finance reports show Coughlin gave $5,500 to Gov. Rick Perry and $3,500 to Attorney General Greg Abbott, the likely Republican nominee for governor.

The Girl Scouts organization does not take a stance on abortion or contraception, according to its website.

“I wish these conversations could happen amongst the adults in the organization,” Finleon said. “It's not an appropriate topic to discuss with 8-year-olds.”

Pisciotta, though, said he took issue with curriculum the organization uses. It includes role models for Girl Scouts like Gloria Steinem, a political activist, feminist, and abortion rights supporter.

“When we talk about a woman in our curriculum as a role model, we are talking about the action of making a difference in the world on something they are passionate about, whether you agree with that difference or not.” Finleon said.

Similar protests have been coordinated by conservative groups in the past, including in 2004.

“The Girl Scouts is the premier entrepreneurship and financial literacy program for girls,” Finleon said. “There are tons of people in San Antonio and beyond who believe in the work of the Girl Scouts and realize they are a vital fabric of the community.”

kparker@express-news.net

Twitter: @KoltenParker