Here in Middle Tennessee, we have the privilege of celebrating numerous influential Black leaders in our community. Our Girl Scouts can earn their Celebrating Black History patch completely online by learning more about the origin of this month and why we celebrate it. We’ll note a few historical heroines and great field trip opportunities in the area and would love to hear how you are celebrating with your troop.
In our Girl Scouts community, Josephine Groves Holloway opened the door for young black girls to experience Girl Scouts and the joy of camp. She established Troop 200, Nashville’s first Black Girl Scout Troop, in 1942. From there, she served as a field advisor, district director, and camp director for our Council. Camp Holloway, named in her honor, opened in 1955. This camp is a place for girls of all backgrounds to celebrate the joy of our shared Girl Scout tradition. You can find a historical marker with her story at our Nashville Service Center. We are tremendously grateful for the incredible work of Josephine Groves Holloway.
Nashville is also currently the home of four historically black colleges: Fisk University, Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical College and American Baptist College. The nickname “Music City” started with the Fisk Jubilee Singers! Each of these colleges has a rich history and plays an integral role in Nashville’s culture. Oprah Winfrey, John Lewis, and W.E.B. Dubois are a few of the notable alumni from these institutions. Oprah Winfrey continued to become the youngest and first Black female news anchor at WLAC-TV.
So many notable historical moments have occurred right in our service area! In 1966, Dr. Dorothy Lavinia Brown became the first Black woman to be elected to the Tennessee General Assembly. In 1991, Rosetta Irvin Miller-Perry founded the Tennessee Tribune, making her the first Black female publisher. These are just a few of the incredible heroines that have made an impact in Middle Tennessee.
Looking for a field trip opportunity? In 2021, the National Museum of African American Music opened on Broadway. Each section of the museum delves into the different genres that were “created, influenced and inspired by African Americans.” The Tennessee State Museum is another great, free place to visit. Girl Scouts that visit are eligible to receive their Tennessee State Museum “Council’s Own” patch. For anyone outside of the Nashville area, there is an online exhibition available called “Preserving African American Culture”.
Your Girl Scouts can learn more about important African American heroes in the Middle Tennessee area by checking out the Tennessee Encyclopedia. Tell us all about how your troop celebrated Black History Month by emailing volunteerresources@gsmidtn.org