(Photo Courtesy: Wikipedia)
Juliette Gordon Low (C) with two Girl Scouts.

By K.P. Sander

The Girl Scouts of the United States of America (GSUSA) was founded on March 12, 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low.  Low, who was inspired after a meeting with Robert Baden-Power – the founder of Scouting – reportedly telephoned a cousin, saying, “I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah [Georgia], and all of America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight!”

Low was correct in her projections, and the youth organization was born.  GSUSA – just like the Boy Scouts of America – strives to empower girls with the values of honesty, fairness, courage, compassion, character, sisterhood, confidence, and citizenship through activities such as camping, community service, and earning badges through the acquisition of various skills.

Wikipedia states that Low held the first official Girl Scout troop meeting in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia, and 18 girls were present.  Low had always envisioned an opportunity for girls to get out and serve their communities, and learn life skills that would help sustain them by way of self-reliance and resourcefulness.

In 1915, the organization was officially incorporated and National Headquarters were moved to New York City.  By 1920, there were nearly 70,000 members, and by 1923, there were branches in every state of the union.  Overall, more than 50 million American women have participated in the GSUSA.

Girl Scout Promise:  “On my honor, I will try to serve God and my country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.”

Girl Scout Law:  “I will do my best to be Honest and Fair, Friendly and Helpful, Considerate and Caring, Courageous and Strong, and Responsible for what I say and do, and to respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout.”

While the Girl Scouts are known far and wide for their cookie sales, their promises are filled with sage advice for everyone to live by.