GLEN CARBON, Illinois – Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) is proud to announce that Sarah Grace Brenner of Shiloh, Illinois has been awarded Girl Scouts’ Medal of Honor – a lifesaving award she received for demonstrating heroism while saving a life.
October 27, 2025 started as a normal day in the Brenner household. The children went to school, and father Michael was working upstairs in his office, wearing noise canceling headphones as he always does. Mother Lindsay was completing tasks downstairs. However, while preparing for her children to arrive home from school that afternoon, Lindsay began to feel unwell. She greeted the children when they got off the school bus, but her condition quickly took a turn for the worse. Lindsay fell to the floor, sweating profusely and unable to speak. Lindsay was suffering a heart attack. Her daughter, Sarah Grace, recognized the emergency and took immediate action, thus saving her mother’s life.
Sarah Grace, a five-year-old Girl Scout Daisy, demonstrated an extraordinary level of bravery as she quickly addressed the urgency of the situation.
“I knew Mommy needed help because she was on the floor and wouldn’t get up,” said Sarah Grace. “I went to get Daddy and said, ‘Call 911!’ We learned how to do that at a Girl Scout meeting.”
Lindsay, who serves as the Troop Leader for Sarah Grace’s Girl Scout Troop, noted their group had just earned the Safety Award at their most recent meeting, which played a key role in saving her own life.
Sarah Grace’s heroism continued as the family waited for paramedics to arrive. She provided a great level of care for her mother by offering a pillow and ice packs, even noticing to change out the ice packs when they became warm.
“The whole time, Sarah Grace was holding my hand. She helped keep me calm by telling me to take deep breaths and that the ambulance was coming,” Lindsay added. After several days in the hospital, Lindsay returned home to reunite with her family.
“I was being brave. I’m happy she’s home,” said Sarah Grace.
Girl Scouts of the USA has honored Sarah Grace’s heroic efforts with Girl Scouts’ Medal of Honor. Girl Scouts have been honored since 1913 for deeds that help save lives. Girl Scouts are trained in health and safety, as well as to have presence of mind and be of service to others. Lifesaving Awards, however, are reserved for those Girl Scouts who have performed acts of heroism beyond the degree of maturity and training expected for their age.
Sarah Grace embraces the Girl Scout Movement in her everyday life and strives to live by the Girl Scout Law. She enjoys all Girl Scouts has to offer and explores each new adventure with enthusiasm. When asked about her favorite part of being a Girl Scout, she replied, “I like selling cookies because it’s sharing Girl Scouts with other people.”
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois serves over 6,300 girls and engages nearly 3,600 adults in 40 counties in Southern Illinois. Join Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois today! Adult volunteers and girls in K-12 are welcome.
Call 800-345-6858 or email customercare@gsofsi.org. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways, businesses and individual donors throughout the region.