This week, nearly 3 million Girl Scouts across America are celebrating the 103rd Anniversary of Girl Scouting. Girl Scouts was founded on March 12, 1912 by Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia. After returning from England, where she was involved in the new Boy Scouts and Girl Guides movements, she made a historic phone call to her cousin saying “Come right over! I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, all America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight!”
At a time when many girls' lives were limited, Juliette's vision was to create an inclusive, encouraging organization to help girls expand their personal horizons by having fun, exploring new interests and contributing to society. Now, 59 million girls and women have been a part of the organization, including more than half of female business owners, 75% of percent of female senators and 59% of women in the U.S. House of Representatives and more than 20 career astronauts.
Each year, Girl Scouts celebrate this legacy during the week surrounding Girl Scouts' birthday, March 12. Also during the week are Girl Scout Sunday (March 8) and Girl Scout Sabbath (March 14), when many Girl Scouts receive special religious recognition awards for researching and exploring their religious culture and practices. Many girls will proudly wear their Girl Scout uniforms to their religious services.
Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois will celebrate the 103rd anniversary by participating in a variety of local activities and events that include flag ceremonies at their schools, historic displays, birthday party celebrations and community service projects.
"Girl Scouts has a very rich history of providing girls in all of our communities with a premier Girl Scout Leadership Experience that will give them the courage, confidence and character to make the world a better place for everyone,” said Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois CEO Villie M. Appoo.
"During Girl Scout Week, we salute all those who continue to offer their support to Girl Scouting. Their dedication is instrumental in the positive development of young people in our communities,” said Appoo. “During Girl Scout Week, we renew our commitment to ensuring that every girl has the opportunity to grow strong and realize her full potential. But we need your help! We invite everyone – men and women – over 18 to volunteer with Girl Scouts. You don’t have to be a troop leader; even if you can only donate one hour of your time once a year, you’ll be making a great difference in the lives of girls.”
For more information about Girl Scout Week, please contact GSSI Communications & Marketing Manager Tricia Higgins at 800.345.6858, ext. 2143 or e-mail thiggins@gsofsi.org.
