Meet Marrin Scalone, National Leader of the Year 2018

Congratulations to Marrin Scalone for being selected as Girl Talk’s 2018 National Leader of the Year! Marrin is the Leader of RVA Girl Talk in Montpelier, VA.

We are so proud of and thankful for Marrin and all that she has given to Girl Talk and her Chapter! We are especially proud to be part of her story and to have helped her find her intended career as a leader in the field of counseling services.

This is her Girl Talk story.

“At the end of every tunnel is an exit. There is always light after darkness. Pain is temporary, and no matter what, no matter how bad things get, hope is close.

The problem is that these universal truths can be forgotten, swiped from memory. Four years ago, at fourteen years old, I was buried so deeply that no light was seeping through the cracks. I had lost sight of my family, my friends, and myself.  I felt like I had no way out, and no other option than to leave the world I felt I didn’t deserve. After hitting rock bottom, I worked hard and with the help of incredible support systems to recover and find my way back to my life.

I knew my own struggle made me strong, and I knew I needed to use what I learned to help others who felt as I once did, I just didn’t know how.

It was then that I found Girl Talk. I quickly fell in love with the organization’s mission, and all the members of my local Chapter, RVA Girl Talk. With the help of my mentors and fellow leaders, I felt compelled to share my story with our girls, and create lesson plans on suicide awareness, mental health, and ways to offer help to members of our community. The responses from our girls were breathtaking, and truly unforgettable. Through vulnerability and open dialogue, we created an environment where we are not afraid of stigma, will not underestimate our own strength, and know how to reach out to those dealing with depression or other mental illness.”

-Marrin Scalone

Thank you, Marrin, for all that you have given and taught your Chapter, and all of us, by sharing your story and taking action. We cannot wait to see where your next chapter takes you!