Dear Editor,

This election year we listened for months to debates about who should lead the country and why.

Behind this discussion, another debate is going on.

This second debate isn&8217;t about who should lead, but how; the concept of what a leader is, and how the leader should operate, is being questioned.

Although not confined to politics, there&8217;s dissatisfaction amongst young people with the classic style of leadership.

In a recent national survey by the Girl Scout Research Institute, girls said they want to be leaders &8212; just not that kind of leader.

The survey findings should serve as a wake-up call for all of us.

Girls in Birmingham aspire to a leadership style that serves a greater purpose, and we must embrace this idea of leadership if we want to tap the full potential of the next generation of female leaders.

Changing perceptions of what it means to be a leader won&8217;t be easy. The perception of leadership as a lone figure in control and giving orders is rooted in culture.

How can we change things? We can change them by nurturing leadership capabilities of young women.

That&8217;s what the Girl Scouts is about. The mission isn&8217;t cookies and camping. Those are tools; our mission is to develop leaders.

About 69 percent of the women serving in Congress are former Girl Scouts, as are close to 80 percent of women executives and business owners.

The goal is to help girls acquire the skills to be leaders, the kind of leaders we know they aspire to be.

The emerging generation of girls can redefine leadership in a way that better serves our nation.

If you have an opportunity to encourage young women to be brave, confident and true to themselves, to be leaders today and tomorrow, you should take it.

Our future depends on it.

Hilary Perry

Pelham

Dear Editor,

It is so nice to know that there is a reputable mechanic close by.

I recently had my car repaired by Ronnie Revis at Revis Auto Service in Wilsonville. He did a great job in a very timely manner and went out of his way to please me. The service was great and the price reasonable.

We are extremely fortunate to have such a business near us.

Danny Jones

Columbiana