Boys across the country have been earning the Eagle Scout rank for over a century, signifying that they are obedient, helpful, and trustworthy young men. But, recently a teen girl has taken the spotlight. 

19-year-old Emily Long from Buchanan, Michigan is going to become one of the nation’s first female Eagle Scouts this February 8th. Being a part of Indiana’s Lasalle Council, she will be the first female in the area to receive this achievement.

The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 and has been training young boys to develop character and leadership skills ever since. Engaging in outdoor activities and community service projects, the boys earn badges and aspire to earn the highest possible rank: The Eagle Scout.

However, after years of declining membership and sexual abuse scandals, the organization announced in 2017 that they would be allowing girls to join the program.

Changing their name to Scouts BSA and permitting females to join allowed thousands of girls to become involved in the program–including teen Emily Long.

“I joined Scouts, BSA to have fun while learning new things, create lifelong friendships, and to inspire other women to strive for their aspirations. From this experience I was able to gain self-confidence, communication strategies, as well as priceless memories,” Long said in a press release.

In order to earn the Eagle Scout, among many different requirements, one must research and organize a community service project. Emily decided to focus hers on natural water conservation and erosion prevention, attempting to clean out parts of local creeks in Buchanan, Michigan. She continues to study environmental science at Michigan Technological University.