Girl Scout History
Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, for a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the open air, Girl Scouts hiked, played basketball, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars, and studied first aid.
Within a few years, Daisy's dream for a girl-centered organization was realized. Today, Girl Scouts of the USA has a membership of over 3.2 million girls and adults, a significant growth from its modest beginnings nearly a century ago. In fact, more than 50 million women in the U.S. today are Girl Scout alumnae. We invite you to learn about our robust organization and its rich history. From our willingness to tackle important societal issues, to our commitment to diversity and inclusiveness—Girl Scouts is dedicated to every girl, everywhere.
- Read Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low's Biography and see how one visionary affected so many lives. See the new Juliette Gordon Low Interactive Timeline.
- Track the incredible journey of the Girl Scout Movement on our Girl Scouts Timeline: Decade by Decade.
- Visit our online Museum for an in-depth look at the objects and ephemera that tell the story of the organization from its inception.
- Don't miss the Museum's Featured Exhibit, which highlights Girl Scout uniforms over the years.
- Learn about the beautiful facilities and history of the Edith Macy Conference Center, Girl Scouts of the USA's unique location for workshops and trainings.
- Find out what happened This Month in Girl Scout History to put it all into context.
- Historical Highlights (PDF): The turn of the century brought Girl Scouting to a threshold of change. In a nutshell, here's what has happened to transform the organization from 2002 to 2008.
Girl Scouts Timeline
Decade by Decade
Overview | 1912-1919 | 1920s | 1930s | 1940s
|
1950s
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1960s
| 1970s
| 1980s
| 1990s
| Today
For nearly a century, Girl Scouts of the USA has served as a vital movement in America's history. Come explore the story of the Girl Scouts—and America—through the decades.
Featured Exhibit
Girl Scout Uniforms
"[A
uniform] gives a certain prestige in the community. When a girl is seen
in uniform, people recognize her as a girl who is courteous and
obliging… The uniform puts every girl on the same footing…[and] makes a
useful dress for her to work and play in at the meetings."
—Girl Scout Leader's Manual, circa 1917
Of all the changes in Girl Scouting throughout its history, perhaps the most apparent is in the uniform. Influenced by supply, demand, and fashion, the modifications reveal the organization's response to the changing needs of girls. Regardless of whether or not it's made of cotton, wool, rayon, or nylon, the uniform has always symbolized the high ideals for which Girl Scouting stands.
Our Featured Exhibit highlights the different styles of dress for Girl Scouts of all ages and reveals how utility and style have blended so well for over 90 years of Girl Scout history.
