Longtime Girl Scout Mackenzie Duncan, 17, joined the Girl Scout Global Action Team for a second year.

After seeing the good work and awareness brought by the team’s efforts last year, Duncan decided to return.

“Last year we focused on preventing violence against women … and that topic really interested me,” she said.

This year the team looked to spread awareness about the importance of providing health care to women and girls around the world. The team also looked at access to mental and women’s health in regions like West Africa, Western Europe and South Asia.

“I decided to return because I’m thinking about a career in health care and was interested in the topic,” she said.

Girl experience director for Girls Scouts of Western Washington Julie Wendell said she has worked closely with Duncan, and believes her to be a true asset to this year’s team.

“She is definitely a leader for the team,” Wendell said.

Duncan’s father, Mark Duncan, said the Girl Scouts have helped Mac-kenzie develop the leadership skills that she is now putting in practice to help the scouts.

“Girl Scouts has given her a lot of opportunities to grow and to get leadership skills as well as teaching her about how to make the world a better place,” he said.

For more information about the Global Action Team, visit bit.ly/2thIwFF.