A Girl Scouts of the U S - Girl scouts: a celebration of 100 trailblazing years

contents

The responsibility of building our future will soon fall to the next generationmaking wise choices for their health and well-being, finding the self-confidence and courage to stand up for what they believe in, and working side by side with others to improve the world around them.

As a mother of two daughters, I know how important it is to provide young women with the tools they need to realize their full potential, and that is what Girl Scouts of the USA has aimed to do since its founding a century ago. Since 1912, Girl Scouts has been a positive presence and guiding force for so many American girls. Through field trips, skill-building clinics, service projects, cultural exchanges, and environmental stewardships, Girl Scouting encourages exploration, discovery, and a desire to create positive change.

As we reflect on the past 100 years of Girl Scouting, we also look to a future where every girl is inspired to lead with courage, confidence, and character. I am excited to help celebrate this landmark event, and I am eager to see how the next generation of Girl Scouts will change our world.

Michelle Obama

First Lady of the United States

Honorary President of Girl Scouts of the USA

Juliette Low sits at her desk at National Headquarters in New York City, 1915.

introduction

Ive got something for the girls of Savannah, and all America, and all the world, and were going to start it tonight! When those words were spoken by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912, the lives of American girls were changed forever.

Eighteen girls were invited to that very first Girl Scout meeting, held on March 12, 1912. Today, that number has grown to 3.3 million members. In Girl Scouts first century, millions of girls and women have been Girl Scouts and have held strong to the Promise and Law, whose principles have guided this movement for decades.

Juliette Low firmly believed that American girls needed to live active lives outside the home, where they could contribute to society as full citizens. She knew that encouraging diversity would make Girl Scouting a richer and more embracing experience, one that would allow every girl to blossom. She felt passionately that Girl Scouts should be available to all girls, regardless of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, and that no disability should prevent girls from enjoying opportunities and reaching their full potential.

Juliette Lowand every volunteer and staff person who has followed in her footsteps during the last 100 yearshas held true to that vision while offering a clear and powerful message to every girl: You matter.

You matter to your Girl Scout friends. You matter to your community. You matter to the nation. You matter to the world.

Juliette Low in uniform wearing the Thanks Badge, 1920s

Girl Scouts on the Observation Post for Signalers at Camp Lowlands, Savannah, Georgia, circa 19141917

Early Girl Scouts carry bedrolls over their shoulders while backpacking, 1917.

Girl Scouts on their mark before a footrace, 1912

Carnation Girl Scout Patrol championship basketball team, 1912

White Rose Girl Scout Patrol at naturalist W. J. Hoxies cabin, Camp Lowlands, Georgia, circa 1910s

A 1936 memo from Savannah documents the first meeting, in 1912, of Girl Guides in America.

Even more important, Girl Scouting shows girls that they matter by giving them the opportunity to be leaders, both today and in the future.

During the past 100 years, Girl Scouts has made improving the lives of girlsand inspiring girls to improve the world around themits singular mission. Many of todays female role modelsincluding former Supreme Court justice Sandra Day OConnor, NASA astronaut Mae Jemison, TV journalists Barbara Walters and Katie Couric, former secretary of labor Alexis Herman, actresses America Ferrera and Reese Witherspoon, womens rights activist Gloria Steinem, fashion designer Vera Wang, champion golfer Nancy Lopez, and racecar driver Danica Patrickare Girl Scouts who attribute their determination, integrity, and achievement to that experience.

Today, we are poised to move into our second century. The same energy that inspired Juliette Low in 1912 continues today and will continue for decades to come. Inspired by our missionto build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better placewe will not stop until our job is done and all girls can see a future filled with hope, opportunity, and achievement.

Connie L. Lindsey

National President

Girl Scouts of the USA

Kathy Cloninger

National Chief Executive Officer

Girl Scouts of the USA

The world in 1912 was on the cusp of change that would rock the foundations of American society for generations to come, for better and for worse. American women were mobilizing forces all over the country to acquire the right to vote. Henry Ford was about to revolutionize manufacturing with assembly-line production of the Model T, and as the world mourned the sinking of the Titanic, hearts soared with a pilot named Harriet Quimby, who became the first woman to fly across the English Channel.

Amid these events of 1912 was one that would affect the lives of millions of American girls and women for generations: Juliette Gordon Low, a 51-year-old Savannah native and world traveler, finally discovered her true lifes work and founded Girl Scouts of the USA, and in doing so launched one of the most impressive, enduring, and respected movements in recorded history.