100 Years of Girl Scout Cookie History

Everyone has a special place in their heart for Girl Scout Cookies. Not only because they’re spectacularly delicious, but because the Girl Scout Cookie Program helps girls fulfill their dreams, follow their passions, and change the world!

Girl Scout Cookies not only help Girl Scouts earn money for fun, educational activities and community projects, but also play a huge role in transforming girls into G.I.R.L.s (Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers, Leaders)™ as they learn essential life skills that will stay with them forever. And while fun is part of the experience, giving back to our communities has been a hallmark of the Girl Scout Cookie Program since the first-known sale of cookies by Girl Scouts in 1917.

For 100 years, Girl Scouts has used cookie earnings to build everyday leaders who make a positive impact on our world. And there’s no doubt: American society today is better because of the girls who have taken part in the program! But how did it all begin?

Hey, Let’s Sell Cookies!
It started in 1917 when Girl Scouts in Muskogee, Oklahoma, did what Girl Scouts everywhere always do. They had a great idea, got together, and took action to make it a reality. The girls of Mistletoe Troop hit upon the clever idea to fund their projects by selling cookies they made themselves in their kitchens at home. So simple—and so smart!

Other troops took note, and the idea of Girl Scouts selling cookies took off.

Girl Scout Cookies Fuel A Century of Adventure for Girls

Fast forward to this year, when over a million amazing girls will sell hundreds of millions of boxes of Girl Scout Cookies to support their mission of making the world a better place. But there’s more work to be done—and more amazing experiences to be had—and we need everyone’s involvement!

You can help the next generation of girls fulfill their dreams—and change the world—by finding cookies near you now. With every box of Girl Scout Cookies you buy this year, you help support tomorrow's courage-boosting, confidence-inspiring, character-building, make-the-world-a-better-place experiences.

If cookies can help Girl Scouts accomplish all this in their first 100 years, can you imagine what the next 100 years will bring? Let’s find out! 

Learn more about Girl Scout Cookie history and check out the Timeline of Adventure!