GREENWICH, Conn. -- Linda McMahon was the keynote speaker at the Girl Scout Council of Southwestern Connecticut's Women of Achievement Leadership Breakfast this morning at the Hyatt Regency. A former Girl Scout, WWE's CEO encouraged Girl Scouts everywhere to continue to make community involvement a priority, just as she has done as WWE's CEO.
 
"Girl Scouts become involved in the community by putting young women in positions of assisting those who need help," McMahon said. "Girl Scouts, I think around the world, are involved in projects of achievement, just as WWE has an opportunity to give back to the community through our Get R.E.A.L. programs, Make-A-Wish and Smackdown Your Vote."
 
More than 65 percent of women in corporate leadership positions were, at one time, a Girl Scout. As a successful businesswoman, McMahon said she looks back to her Girl Scout roots and fond memories of scouting. 

"I was a Girl Scout. I had a lot of fun being a Girl Scout," McMahon reminisced. "And now I stand before you this morning, very proudly, as Chief Executive Officer of World Wrestling Entertainment."
 
In her remarks, McMahon offered a profile of WWE's beginnings and family-based roots. As the CEO of WWE, McMahon paved the way for women in sports-entertainment.

"We have very strong women in very strong positions in World Wrestling Entertainment," she said. "I'm very, very proud to be among the alumni of Girl Scouts who are paving the way for the leaders of the future of this country."
 
McMahon made her remarks before a crowd of more than 350, including Stamford Mayor Dannel Malloy, State Senator William H. Nickerson, prominent local business and community leaders, as well as members of the Girl Scout Council of Southwestern Connecticut.
 
The Girl Scout Council honored Maria Merrill of Greenwich, a Managing Director in Leveraged Finance at The Royal Bank of Scotland; Suzanne Brown Peters of Stamford; INROADS Industry Vice President for Financial Services; and Dr. Barbara Ward, of Greenwich, Director of The Breast Center of Greenwich Hospital as Women of Achievement.  Senior Girl Scout Amrita Sankar, a Ridgefield High School junior, was honored as a Future Woman of Achievement.
 
After the event, McMahon offered WWE.com some words of wisdom for young women and Girl Scouts who look to her for inspiration:
 
"One of our honorees today said something very special, and that was just be yourself. If you be yourself and stay true to your own goals, then you have an opportunity for success," McMahon said.
 
"I would also tell those young women, don't be afraid to fail; don't be afraid to ask advice; and, don't be afraid to assert yourself.  Don't think about what you're going to get out of something, think about what you can offer.  Strive. Have your goals. Work hard and deliver."