11/01/2025
“Today’s work is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.” —Juliette Gordon Low
Born in 1860, Low created Girl Scouts, an organization that would empower millions of girls to become leaders and change makers. After meeting Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts, during her time living in England, Low became inspired to bring a similar movement to American girls. She organized the first Girl Scout meeting on March 12, 1912, with 18 girls in Savannah, Georgia, calling them the “Girl Guides.” Low, like many female reformers, believed girls deserved the same opportunities as boys to develop practical skills, self-reliance, and leadership abilities.
Despite facing personal challenges including significant hearing loss and financial difficulties, she dedicated her fortune and energy to growing the organization nationwide. By the time of her death in 1927, Girl Scouts had grown to nearly 100,000 members.
The Girl Scouts of the USA have served over 50 million alumnae, a lasting testament to Low’s revolutionary vision that girls can do anything.
Learn more about Low: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/juliette-gordon-low