Did you know that October 31, yes, Halloween, is the birth day of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low?!
In 1912, Juliette Gordon Low (1860–1927) founded Girl Scouts of the USA, now serving millions of girl members and alumnae, and reflects the arc of her remarkable life.
An ardent believer in the potential of all girls, and the importance of fostering their individual growth, character, and self-sufficiency, Juliette is credited with establishing and nurturing a global movement that has changed the world. Take a look at some interesting facts about her, her life and how she influenced our Movement.
Fun facts about Juliette Gordon Low
- She is also now known as “JGL,” but was fondly known as Daisy to her friends.
- Daisy started the first troop in Savannah, Georgia, which was her home. You can visit her birthplace if you go to Savannah.
- Juliette Low learned about Scouting from Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, as well as from Girl Guides in England. Inspired and enthusiastic with this youth program, she led three Girl Guides troops in England and Scotland.
- She then returned to America with “something for all girls” and a dream of world peace and friendship through a program that would unite the young people of all lands.
- Daisy Low worked endlessly and even sold her jewelry to spread the exciting idea of Scouting.
- It was a piece of rice thrown for good luck at her wedding that caused Juliette to be partially deaf in her one good ear. It lodged itself in the ear drum.
- She was buried in her Girl Scout uniform in Savannah, Georgia.
- Her friends honored her efforts by establishing the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund. The organization finances international projects for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides.
Believe it or not, Juliette...
- Never tasted sugar until she was 4 or 5 years old when General Sherman came to visit her mother and brought a packet of sugar.
- Was an expert swimmer, horseback rider and fisherwoman, and loved tennis and curling, the national sport of Scotland.
- Had a parrot named Polly Poons.
- As a young girl saved a toddler who had fallen into a stream.
- Found a dead robin while at boarding school and, with her classmates and teachers, had a burial service for it.
- Went to dancing schools and learned all the dances in vogue.
- Was a talented artist who painted dinner plates, sculpted, and painted oil portraits.
- Went trout fishing in a nearby stream, after a formal dinner party, while dressed in full evening clothes with her friend, Rudyard Kipling. She once (accidentally) hooked a guest and was too deaf to hear him screaming.
- Once bought a rabbit from some children "Because its ears were cold."
- Helped her mother organize and serve in a hospital during the Spanish-American War
- Knew where there was some khaki material and loaned the Girl Scouts $8,000 to buy it for uniforms during World War 1 (1918) when khaki material for Girl Scout uniforms was scarce.
- Entertained nieces and nephews by standing on her head with skirts tucked between her legs.
- Climbed the Great Pyramid in Egypt and rode elephants in India.
- Juliette LOVED to tell stories. She wrote many stories herself and girls encouraged her to tell ghost stories around the campfire.
- Juliette had a tea party after every Girl Scout meeting.
Popular Quotes
- “Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best”
- “Right is right, even if no one else does it.”
Fun Facts about Girl Scouting
- The Birthday of Girl Scouting in America is March 12, 1912. Every year Girl Scouts celebrate that day with parties, special ceremonies or service projects.
- The first group of girls
decided to change the name of Girl Guides to Girl Scouts. The very
first camp was held the same year, 1912.
This information above is brought to you by the GSACPC History Committee and the Barbara Anderson Girl Scout Museum. If you would like to learn more about Girl Scout history or schedule a visit at the museum, please visit girlscoutsaz.org/museum.
Girl Scout History
Throughout our organization’s history, Girl Scouts has encouraged girls to participate in actions and activities they are passionate about, whatever any affiliated social causes may be. As the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, we feel it is our duty to encourage girls to participate in rather than shy away from issues they care about. We support the girl who supports the cause, which means we support girls’ agency in making choices that speak to them.
We are an inclusive organization and accept all girls in grades Kindergarten through 12 as members.
The Girl Scout organization stands firm in valuing diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, national origin, or physical or developmental disability.
Girl Scouts’ programming and approach—nonpolitical, nonpartisan—is designed to serve all girls.
Girl Scouts honors the values Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scout Movement in accordance with more than 100 years ago.
