In Valencia County, New Mexico, a new milestone has been reached in the world of Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America. Seventeen-year-old Gabrielle Montoya has officially become the county’s first female Eagle Scout, marking a historic moment in a tradition that has spanned over a century. Since Scouting America opened its doors to girls in 2019, young women across the country have been working their way through the rigorous requirements to earn the coveted Eagle rank and Gabrielle has now joined their ranks with a record of achievement that far surpasses the minimum standard.

Over the past five years, Gabrielle completed 48 merit badges, covering everything from environmental science to emergency preparedness, double the required 21 for the Eagle distinction. She also led an ambitious service project: transforming discarded car tires into comfortable dog beds for an overcrowded local animal shelter. The project not only showcased her ingenuity but also brought together volunteers of all ages, underscoring her leadership skills and her commitment to community service.

Balancing scouting with academics has been no small feat. Gabrielle attends the Albuquerque Institute for Math and Science, one of the most rigorous schools in the state, and has already begun taking college-level courses in biology. Her dream is to become a veterinarian, a goal that aligns with both her academic interests and her passion for animals. In interviews, Gabrielle emphasized that her achievement was not just personal but collective: she wanted to show younger girls in her troop that “anything is possible if you take the leap.”

Her success also highlights the rapid cultural evolution within Scouting. For decades, the Eagle Scout rank was seen as a male rite of passage; today, young women like Gabrielle are breaking barriers and rewriting that narrative. Local scout leaders say her achievement has already inspired more girls in Valencia County to set their sights on Eagle status, and it has sparked conversations in other community organizations about how to better support female leadership.

As she looks toward college and a career in veterinary medicine, Gabrielle remains committed to staying involved in her troop, mentoring younger scouts and encouraging them to pursue ambitious goals. Her story is more than just an individual triumph it is a symbol of progress, representation, and the power of determination.