Happy Girl Scout Founder’s Day!
Did you know Girl Scouts celebrates Founder’s Day on October 31 in honor of Juliette Gordon Low’s Birthday? We want to give you some history about the amazing woman who started Girl Scouts.
Juliette Gordon Low was born Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, GA. She was the second of six kids for William Washington Gordon and Eleanor Kinzie Gordon and was called “Daisy” by family and friends.
Daisy always had an adventurous side. She enjoyed the arts and would write poems and play and eventually became a skilled painter and sculptor. As a child, she suffered from multiple illnesses and injuries, which results in almost total hearing loss.
In 1886, she married William Mackay Low and they spent time between England and the United States. Daisy became known for her parties and charity work until her husband passed away in 1905.
In 1912, Daisy met with Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, and the two discussed their passion for the arts and the outdoors. Baden-Powell suggested Daisy should be involved in Girl Guides [hyperlink], the sister group to Boy Scouts. Daisy agreed and started troops in London and Scotland.
Soon after, Daisy decided America needed Girl Guides and started with a group of 18 girls from diverse backgrounds. In 1913, the girls decided they wanted to be “Scouts” and the name was officially changed to Girl Scouts of the United States [hyperlink].
There were other girl groups with similar missions, but thanks to the connections Daisy had made, she was able to gather support for Girl Scouts and make it a nationwide effort. By 1923, Girl Scouts were in every state in America including Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico!
On January 17, 1927, Juliette Gordon Low passed away from a long and private struggle with breast cancer. The legacy left by Gordon Low has reached millions of girls across multiple countries. Today, Girl Scouts still stands strong and helps girls prepare for leadership!