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National Girl Scout Day – March 12, 2019

Harrisonburg & Rockingham County Sign Up Information

By Toni Bentel Bailey - Macaroni Kid Harrisonburg March 5, 2019



National Girl Scout Day – March 12, 2019


If you know a Girl Scout, let them know that you respect their participation and work toward the mission of scouting. 

Girl Scout History Facts: Juliette Gordon Low had a vision and her goal was to embrace all girls and prepare them to meet their challenges as they grew and defined friendships; to take learning a step forward and to teach them to be charitable, strong, self-reliant and built character.  That mission became Girl Scouts of the USA which began in 1912 during the Progressive Era at a time when women in the United States were not able to vote.

1. The Girl Scouts Were Founded In Savannah, Georgia:  On March 12, 1912, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low held the first Girl Scout meeting in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. Hoping to give girls the opportunity to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, Low started the organization with 18 girls in attendance at that first meeting.

2. Low Wanted To Break Stereotypes About Women:  Early Girl Scouts broke the mold of 1912 and went on camping trips, learned about first aid, astronomy, science, math, sports and community influence. Low wanted to create generations of women who would be resourceful and the Girl Scouts were the foundation. 

3. Girl Scout Cookies Were First Sold In 1917:  In 1917, while trying to make money for a group project, the Mistletoe Girl Scout Troop of Muskogee, Oklahoma became the first troop to bake cookies and sell them as a fundraiser. Other troops followed their lead, and in 1935, troops began to sell commercial Girl Scout cookies.

4. The Girl Scouts Were Major Assets during Both World Wars and the Great DepressionThe Girl Scouts were very involved with the war effort back home during both WWI and WWII. Girl Scouts provided hands-on support to the country and the troops. During the 1930s, when the Great Depression hit, the Girl Scouts collected clothing and canned goods, made quilts, provided meals for impoverished children, and assisted at hospitals.

5. The Girl Scouts Are Not Affiliated With the Boy Scouts.  Girl Scouts are inclusive to all girls with Chapters in 145 Countries Worldwide:  In the 1920s, the Girl Scouts branched out to include American girls in other countries. Today, the organization has 10 million girl and adult leaders and is inclusive of all over 145 countries.

 "Truly, ours is a circle of friendships, united by our ideals." Juliette Gordon Low