Join Us in Celebrating Black History Month!

Girl Scouts has a long history of being inclusive and serving as a platform for all girls’ voices, regardless of their background. So, it’s not surprising that the first African American Girl Scout troop was founded in 1917—just five years after our inception. This February, in honor of Black History Month, join us as we celebrate all girls as well as historical G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ hard-hitters who inspired true leadership and courage.

Just a Few of the Amazing 

African-American Women in History!

Dorothy Vaughan. Image via the Human Computer Project

Dorothy Vaughan - the real-life Go-getter behind 'Hidden Figures'

Josephine Holloway.  Image via GSUSA.

Josephine Holloway - one of the first African-American Girl Scout Troop Leaders

Admiral Michelle J. Howard.  Image via Navy.mil

Admiral Michelle J. Howard - the first female four star admiral in U.S. Navy history

Katherine Johnson.  Image via NASA.

Katherine Johnson - the Risk-taker helping achieve some of NASA's greatest victories

Watch for more bios and let us know how your troop is celebrating Black History Month on our social media platforms:  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. 

Girl Scouts Honor Important Women in History During Black History Month

Photo Credit: Girl Scouts of the USA

February is Black History Month! To celebrate, Girl Scouts has honored several important women in Girl Scout history.  Read their stories below:




Josephine Holloway
Josephine Holloway was a champion of diversity within the Girl Scout Movement and one of the first African American Girl Scout troop leaders.  She became an expert on girls' issues and was hired by Girl Scouts of the USA as a field advisor for black troops, a position she held until retirement in 1963.  Read more...

Admiral Michelle J. Howard
Admiral Howard has served in the United States Navy since 1982 and is the highest-ranking woman in American naval history.  She was also the first woman to be promoted to four-star admiral and the first African American woman to command a naval ship.  She attributes many of the values that helped her succeed to her time in Girl Scouting.  Read more...

Sheila Lee Jackson

Girl Scout alumna Sheila Lee Jackson has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 1995.  She is currently made it her mission to eradicate bullying and credits Girl Scouts for helping inspire her to make the world a better place through service.  Read more...



Barbara Lee
Congresswoman Barbara Lee credits her Girl Scout experience for cultivating her passion through community engagement and a love of the outdoors.  She first received a degree in social work and then is currently part of the Safe Environment Caucus.  Read more...

Condoleeza Rice: Did you know every female Secretary of State in U.S. history is a former Girl Scout? Condoleeza Rice was the first African American Secretary of State. She was also national security advisor to President George W. Bush, the first woman to serve in that position. Read more...

Gloria R. Scott
Dr. Gloria Dean Randle Scott is no stranger to making history.  In 1961, she started teaching biology at Marion College, becoming the first African American instructor at a predominantly white institution in Indianapolis.  In 1975, she made history again by becoming the first black National President of Girl Scouts of the USA.  Read more...


These are just a few of the amazing Girl Scout alumnae whose courage, confidence and character provide an excellent role model to today's girls!