As part of Girl Scout Troop 276’s study of women in leadership roles, School Committee member Paula McFarland spoke to the group about her history as a leader in the city of Cranston.

According to co-leader Joanne Evans, the troop of fifth graders had been working on their “Lead On” badge, which will ultimately help them earn their Bronze Award at the end of the year.

McFarland arrived with several newspaper clippings and photos from her earlier years when she was elected to the City Council. She talked about the careers she has had, working for non-profit organizations, and explained to the girls what a non-profit organization is.

In the past, McFarland worked for both Rhode Island Housing and the Governor's Office on Housing for a combined total of 21 years. She is currently the Executive Director of the RI Community Action Association, having worked there for more than three years.

“I started my political career in 1998 by running for the City Council position as a Democrat in Ward 3,” she told the girls. “I had grown up in the Stone Hill area of Cranston, moved to Johnston and then moved back to the Stadium/Bain area of Cranston for my daughter’s education. She attended Cranston High School East.”

Prior to her political career, she had always been a community leader and activist, taking on important issues like crime. She used that as a discussion point, getting feedback from the girls on the types of community issues that Cranston officials face.

“In 2000 we created a park, which replaced a house that had gone to ruin. It was situated on an old dump and was sinking. We got it cleaned up and created a park,” McFarland recalled, as an example of positive change she has been a part of.

She talked about memories she had of being part of the Harvest Festival at Stadium, which she took part in organizing, helping to gather vendors, crafters and food for the event.

McFarland also served on the Diversity Committee, which “culturally looked at the diversity in our city, like how many people were interested in different foods and activities in our city,” she said.

She told the girls that she also worked with a group of Boy Scouts to help beautify the area around the Senior Center, planting flowers and keeping the area neat.

McFarland advised the girls to find causes that are meaningful to them.

In 1996 McFarland worked as a community activist with the Community Policing initiative, as part of a grant from Senator Bea Lanzi for a Citizens Police Academy in Cranston. She talked about several other grants that she was involved in securing for the community.

“There are so many great, positive things you girls can do to help the city,” she said.

She asked the girls what kinds of things they have been involved in already in their communities. The girls responded with activities from their own troop as well as from their school community, church community and more, including food drives, fundraisers and coat/hat/mitten drives.

“I’ve dedicated a lot of my interest in improving things not only for our city but for our state. I’ve had a very interesting career with Rhode Island Housing that takes me from North Kingstown to Woonsocket to Westerly,” she said.

She spoke to the girls about opportunities that they could seize now, such as working on Earth Day activities, Project Respect or fundraisers to help those less fortunate than themselves.

“It’s great to help someone else out and you get something in return; not something monetary, but every day I feel so satisfied that I’ve helped someone. It makes me feel good. It’s really all about inside and how it makes you feel when you’re doing something that you enjoy,” McFarland said. “As you get older you will be able to find things that you’re interested in and use them to help others. We all have the ability to help.”

Troop co-leader Joanne Evans was grateful to McFarland for sharing her experiences with the girls in the troop.

"Troop 276 was so honored to have Paula McFarland take time out of her very busy schedule to talk with us. We enjoyed listening to her speak and seeing newspaper articles from her past projects,” she said. “She has been so involved in our community and is an inspiration to all of our girls. We are teaching our girls how to be independent, responsible and grow up to be leaders and she is the perfect role model for them to look up to."