SUPP 2012 GStimeline

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Girl Scout Timeline The first hundred years. This supplement gives a sampling of the first hundred years of Girl Scout history, plus important highlights before the organization began. This set is a brief timeline only and can be beneficial in planning events or helping review the highlights of our history. Information for this timeline has come from A Girl Scout Time Line: 1908-2000 from the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana, Highlights in Girl Scouting: 2002-2008, Years of Transformation from GSUSA, and numerous printed and online resources.

There is an additional supplement SUPP_GStimeline_Year.pdf which has each year’s activities printed on a single sheet of paper. This is to help girls visualize what one hundred years look like, which is something a mere timeline cannot do.

If you have any adjustments, suggestions or comments to add to this timeline, feel free to email me so I can include additional information in future releases.

Thank you. Laura Rajsic-Lanier [email protected]

Girl Scout Timeline 1860

On October 31, Juliette Gordon is born.

1876

Juliette Gordon starts a club called “Helpful Hands” to use her sewing skills to help others in need.

1885

Juliette Gordon’s earache is “cured” with silver nitrate that destroys most of her hearing in that ear.

1886

Juliette Gordon marries William Mackay Low. A piece of rice lands in her good ear and the doctor injures her ear removing it. She has no hearing in that ear for the rest of her life.

1887

The Lows move to England from Savannah, Georgia.

1889

Olave St. Clair Soames is born in Stubbing Court, Chesterfield, England.

1899

A typical housewife spends six hours a day on two tasks—cooking and cleaning.

1905

William Mackay Low dies, leaving everything to his mistress.

1907

Robert Baden-Powell holds a camp for boys at Brown Sea Island in Dorset to test his Scouting ideas. Scouting is born.

1908

Lord Robert Baden-Powell founds Boy Scouting in England.

1909

At a Boy Scout Rally in Crystal Palace, London, girls present themselves asking to participate.

1910

Agnes Baden-Powell (Lord Robert Baden-Powell’s sister) starts Girl Guides in England (on request from Lord Baden-Powell) for a similar organization for girls. Agnes adapts the Boy Scouts handbook for use with girls and titles it How Girls Can Help Their Empire.

1911

Juliette Low is 50 years old when she meets the Baden-Powells during the summer and immediately becomes a Girl Guider. Juliette starts a Girl Guide company (troop) in the Scottish valley where she is spending the summer. They focus on activities that can bring money into the family without working at unsafe factories.

1912

Juliette Low boards a cruise ship with plans of beginning Girl Guides in America and heads home to make the dream come true. Lord Baden-Powell boards the same ship to begin a world tour of visiting Boy Scout units. While on board, Sir Robert meets and becomes engaged to Olave Soames. In December, Sir Robert and Olave marry at a small church in Poole, England. She is 23, he is 55. “I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight!” On March 12, 1912, Juliette Low gathers 18 girls to register the first troop of American Girl Guides in Savannah, GA. Margaret “Daisy Doots” Gordon, her niece and namesake, is the first registered member. One hundred eight (108) girls enroll as members following the first troop meeting. Six troops form during this first year, some troops having as many as 60 - 70 members. The uniform is navy blue with a light blue scarf. The Tenderfoot Pin, (the trefoil), is chosen as the symbol to be used by Girl Guides. The Thanks Badge, an adult award, is introduced. Camp Juliette Low is established in Georgia — the only camp personally established by Juliette Low.

1913

In June, the first national headquarters is located in the Munsey Building, Washington, D.C. In July, “Girl Guides in America” is changed to “Girl Scouts” and the uniform changes to khaki. The first Girl Scout handbook, How Girls Can Help Their Country – an adaptation of the original Girl Guide book – is printed. It is prepared by W. J. Hoxie. The handbook includes proficiency badges, and covers such titles as “Knowledge for Treatment of Snakebite,” “Ivy Poisoning and Frostbite,” “How to Stop a Runaway Horse,” and “What to Do in Case of Fire.” Edith D. Johnson is employed as the first Girl Scout staff member. Her title was National Secretary. This title will eventually evolve to National Executive Director. Jessamine Link establishes Magnolia Troop One, the second Girl Scout troop in the United States. Registration of Girl Scout troops begins.

1914

Olave Baden-Powell learns to drive so she can act as her husband’s chauffeur. She also becomes a warranted Scout leader at her home where she starts a troop for their staff. The Girl Scout trefoil is patented and is used on the first membership insignia — the Tenderfoot badge (pin). Girl Scout uniforms are manufactured for the first time (by the same company that manufactures uniforms for Boy Scouts). Membership has exceeded 1000.

1915

The Girl Scout organization is incorporated as Girl Scouts of America on June 10. A Constitution and Bylaws are adopted at the first annual convention, held in Washington, D.C. National officers are elected and Juliette Low serves as president until 1920. Juliette sells her pearls to support the Girl Scout Movement. Annual registration is begun and dues are instituted at 25¢ a year. Membership is expanding at a rapid rate and is now at over 5000 in 150 cities.

1916

The first gathering of Girl Guide “Commissioners” is held in London, England, and Olave Baden-Powell is elected Chief Commissioner of the Girl Guide Movement. The Girl Scout National Headquarters is moved to New York City. The first National Board of Directors is elected at the second National Council session. The first Brownie troop is organized in the USA (Marblehead, Massachusetts), establishing two registration levels: Brownies (ages 7 - 10) and Girl Scouts (ages 10 - 17). Brownies are often referred to as “Junior Girl Scouts,” and they do not become an official level of Girl Scouting until 1938. The Golden Eaglet of Merit Award is established as the highest award Girl Scouts may earn. It retains its status until 1938.

1917

America enters World War I. Girl Scouts are involved in many aspects of aiding the war effort on the homefront, and they develop new skills that are progressive for the period. Mrs. Woodrow Wilson is elected the first honorary president of the Girl Scouts, a tradition that continues today. The national Equipment Department is organized to meet the demands for uniforms, badges, and other items that are described in the Girl Scout handbooks. The first local Girl Scout council charter is issued to Toledo, Ohio (May 6). The first Girl Scout magazine, The Rally, is published for girls and leaders. The first National Training School for Girl Scout leaders is established in Boston. A uniform for Brownies is introduced - khaki in color and similar in style to the Girl Scout uniform. The first troop of physically disabled girls is organized in New York City. The first troop for African American girls was founded. There are now approximately 9,000 registered Girl Scouts.

1918

Olave Baden-Powell is elected Chief Guide of the United Kingdom Girl Guides. She receives the Silver Fish Award, made in gold especially for her. “The Golden Eaglet,” the first Girl Scout movie, is made. Juliette Low adapts the Girl Guiding book written by Sir Robert Baden-Powell into the first Scouting For Girls handbook. Design of the Girl Scout pin is adjusted to include the letters “GS”. “Citizen Scouts” or Senior Scouts is proposed for girls over 17. Membership reaches almost 10,000.

1919

The Golden Eaglet, a black-and-white silent film, premiers in New York City’s Fine Arts Theater on January 16th. It is believed to be the first motion picture produced by a public service organization. Lady Baden-Powell founds the “International Council” to provide a way to keep in touch with the Girl Guide/Girl Scout Movement around the world. The women of the Council correspond with any country that interests them. The first celebration of Girl Scout Week takes place beginning on October 31 and including the first part of November. First Blue Book of Rules is published. The Golden Eaglet Award replaces the Golden Eaglet of Merit Award. (They were different.) Girl Scout membership in the USA has risen to 41,225.

1920

The First International Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts holds its first conference (England). Delegates and visitors from 15 countries attend. Lord Baden-Powell is elected “Chief Scout of the World.” Taps is introduced at the First International Conference in Oxford, England. October 31 (Juliette Low’s Birthday) is declared “Founder’s Day.” Juliette Low retires as president of Girl Scouts of America but remains active in the organization until her death in 1927. The Rally is renamed The American Girl, and it continues in publication until 1979. Camp Andree Clark is established as the first national Girl Scout Camp, Briar Cliff Manor, NY. Girl Scouts achieves 100 groups (councils) in 11 states and Hawaii. Girl Scout membership exceeds 50,000.

1921

The first all-American Scouting For Girls handbook is printed. It will be revised in 1927 but will not be replaced by an entirely new handbook until 1933. The Onondaga Reservation Troop, the earliest documented American Indian Girl Scout troop, is established in Syracuse, New York. National membership dues are raised to 50 cents. Membership has increased to over 95,000, and Girl Scout councils have been organized in every state and in Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico.

1922

The first American Brownie Girl Scout Pow Wow is held in Maryland marking the official program for younger girls in Girl Scouting. A magazine named Field News is launched, a monthly bulletin for Girl Scout leaders. In 1923 it is renamed the Girl Scout Leader. It was originally a supplement to The American Girl. The first suggestion to bake and sell cookies appears in The American Girl. The first troop for Mexican Americans is formed in Houston, Texas.

1923

Formal training is made a requirement for leaders to insure that high leadership standards are maintained. Annual Girl Scout Intestate held at Rice University (Houston), adult courses include Brownie Pack, Beginning Leader Training, Advanced Leader Training and Leadership Association. Design of the Girl Scout pin changes – the eagle’s shield now has seven stars, placed in two rows and seven stripes.

1924

The first World Camp and third World Conference are held together in the United Kingdom. Forty countries are represented. National headquarters moves to 670 Lexington Avenue in New York City, New York. The first manufactured uniform for Brownies is introduced. Its color is brown and it takes on a style of its own. November 6 – Norman Rockwell draws Girl Scout cover for Life Magazine.

1925

The World Association begins publication on a magazine titled The World Bulletin as a way for WAGGGS members to remain current on happenings within the Girl Guide/Girl Scout movements. V. Everit Macy donates land to be used as a national training school in memory of his wife. Camp Edith Macy opens in May 1926.

1926

Olave Baden-Powell spends three months touring the USA, visiting Girl Scouts, as well as six months in South Africa. Camp Edith Macy (later renamed Edith Macy Training School) opens just in time for the 4th World Conference to be held there. It is the first World Conference held in the United States. At the conference the idea of establishing a “Thinking Day” (to think good thoughts and to think of one another with love and friendship) is proposed and accepted. February 22 is chosen, as it is the birthday of both Lord and Lady Baden-Powell. The Girl Guides’ Brownies, founded in 1914, is introduced in the United States to girls 7-9. The first guide for Brownie leaders, Brown Book for Brown Owls, is printed and distributed, the first Brownie uniform is put on the market, and the first Brownie Wings are produced (and will not be altered until 1935). Brown Book for Brown Owls is published as the first official leader’s guide for USA Brownie Scouts.

1927

On January 17, Juliette Gordon Low dies as a result of breast cancer. She is buried in her uniform along with the telegram that she received from the Board of Directors that she received a few days earlier that read: “You are not only the first Girl Scout, but the best Girl Scout of them all.” Her grave site is at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Savannah. The Juliette Low World Friendship Fund is established in her memory. The first group of Girl Scouts goes to an international event in Switzerland. The World Bulletin is renamed the Council Fire, and it will remain in publication until mid-1983. A newly-revised Scouting For Girls is released. In June the first registration of United States Girl Scout Troops on Foreign Soil (its common reference will become “TOFS”) takes place. They are established in China, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, and Syria for American girls living in other countries. First celebration of Thinking Day, February 22.

1928

The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (commonly referred to as WAGGGS) is formed, replacing the International Council. A new World Committee is elected by the Association, and the World Bureau is begun in London.

1929

At the World Committee meeting in the Netherlands it is decided to open a World Center in Switzerland. Girl Scout membership has reached approximately 200,000.

1930

Olave Baden-Powell is elected World Chief Guide. She is also awarded the Grand Dame of the British Empire by King George V. The World Flag design is adopted. In the US, long-term planning is recorded in two five-year plans - one to reach a goal of 500,000 members by the end of 1935, and the other to organize the country into 12 Girl Scout regions. The first recorded all-Native American Girl Scout troop is registered at the Indian Boarding School in Pawnee, Oklahoma.

1932

The first World Center, Our Chalet, opens near Adelboden, Switzerland, on July 31. The first session (in August) includes girls from 7 countries, including the USA. Belgian delegates to this year’s World Conference suggest giving “a penny with their thoughts” on Thinking Day, and it is the beginning of the Thinking Day Fund.

1933

The 1933 Handbook is the first one that was available in both Braille and large print, for vision-impaired Scouts: the American Red Cross provides the Braille version, and the National Society for the Prevention of Blindness provides the large-print one.

1934

The Mariner Scout program is officially launched for older girls interested in boating and sailing. By the end of 1934, 12 Mariner ships are registered and the first two handbooks, Launching a Girl Scout Mariner Ship and Charting the Course of a Girl Scout Mariner Ship were published. It ends in 1963. The first documented council-wide cookie sale of commercially baked cookies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1935

The Brownie Wings are redesigned - a design still in use in 1996.

1936

In March the first international conference of leaders of disabled Girl Scouts and Girl Guides is held in London, England. The Girl Scouts introduce the first nationally-franchised cookie sale.

1937

A Silver Jubilee Encampment (in celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Girl Scouting) takes place at Camp Andree Clark. It is the first international gathering of girls hosted by Girl Scouts of America on US soil. Ninety-nine Girl Scouts from the United States and 26 Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from other countries attend. Three levels of Girl Scouting are established: Brownie Girl Scouts (ages 7 - 9), Intermediate Girl Scouts (ages 10 - 13), and Senior Girl Scouts (ages 14 -17); and the first official Senior uniform is produced. Membership has reached over 400,000.

1938

Olave Baden-Powell makes her first television appearance. She also starts to learn Swahili at a mission in Nyeri. First Class replaces the Golden Eaglet as the highest earned award. Over one million boxes of Girl Scout cookies are sold. The first national Senior Encampment is held in Utah.

1939

The second World Center, Our Ark, opens near Buckingham Palace in London, and it serves as a refuge to those forced to leave their homelands at the onset of World War II. Pennies contributed by Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from all over the world help to make it possible. Printing is begun on a Senior Girl Scout Handbook, and the first half is titled Ideas For Girl Scouts Book. Safety Wise: Health and Safety Suggestions is published. Girl Scout membership passes the half-million mark.

1940

The Curved Bar replaces the Golden Eaglet as the highest award in Girl Scouting (1940-1963). Open only to First Class Girl Scouts, it serves as a bridge to Senior Girl Scouting. The embroidered arc patch was used at first because of metal shortage during the war. The first Girl Scout troops from institutions for mentally and socially disabled people are registered. The second half of the Senior Girl Scout Handbook is printed and is titled Planning Book For Seniors. The Irving Berlin Foundation announces that royalties from the song “God Bless America” will be allocated to the Girl Scout and Boy Scout organizations.

1941

The United States enters World War II. Sir Robert Baden-Powell dies on January 8 in Paxtu, Kenya. Lady Baden-Powell continues her work with Girl Guiding and is active in the organization until 1970. The Wing Scout program was a Senior Girl Scout program for girls interested in flying and wanting to serve their country. It ended in the 1970s.

1943

It is recorded that Black Girl Scout membership more than doubled. (No numerical statistics are available.) The first official Girl Scout calendar, dated 1944, is produced by the national organization for council and troop fundraising in place of cookies, which most bakers were unable to supply due to war-time rationing of ingredients. The membership slogan is “A Million or More by ’44.”

1944

It is estimated that more than 250,000 Girl Scout members have enjoyed a camping experience. Conservation and camping are important to Girl Scout program during the decade. Girl Scout check for 15,430,000 hours of service given to Franklin D. Roosevelt. A Liberty Ship, “S.S. Juliette Low” of the Merchant Marines is launched. The membership goal is more than obtained with 1,006,644 members.

1945

The first complete Senior handbook, Senior Girl Scouting, and the first Wing Scout Manual are published. Membership is expanding rapidly, and it is anticipated it will more than double by the end of 1950.

1946

Olave Baden-Powell begins world tour to raise funds to assist Guiding and Scouting to resume in Europe after the war. The World Badge is adopted at the 11th World Conference in France.

1947

Eight girls from the United States are chosen to participate in the first post-war Boy Scout/Girl Guide/Girl Scout international event. Its theme is “folklife,” and the American girls chosen are from Kentucky. The event involves boys and girls from 13 countries and is held in London, England. The national organization changes its name from Girl Scouts of America to Girl Scouts of the United States of America, and national dues go up to $1.00.

1948

The 12th World Conference - the first World Conference that takes place in the USA - is held at Cooperstown, NY. Girls from Canada, Bolivia, and the USA participate in a primitive camping event nearby that is visited by the conference delegates and Lady Baden-Powell. First Conference for Leaders of the Handicapped held in August at Camp Edith Macy. The US Postal Service, authorized by President Harry S. Truman, issues the first Girl Scout stamp (a 3-cent stamp) commemorating Juliette Low. Life magazine covers the event. 750,000 stamps are sold in Savannah on the first day of issue.

1949

WAGGGS pin is introduced in the USA. Brown remains the color of the Brownie uniform, and the uniforms for Intermediates, Seniors, and adults take on a greener color. The Clothes for Friendship project ends with 1,500,000 garments being shipped overseas to help with the war recovery effort. Girl Scout membership reaches nearly 1.5 million. By this time approximately 6.5 million girls have known the benefits of the Girl Scout organization since its founding in 1912.

1950

On March 16, Girl Scouts of the USA is reincorporated under Congressional Charter.

1951

The first Brownie Scout Handbook is published. It is the first handbook written for girls; all others before this issue have been written for leaders. Girl Scout membership reaches 1,500,000.

1952

Rockwood, in Potomac, Maryland is dedicated as a National Girl Scout camping center (1952-1979). Ebony Magazine – “Girl Scouts in the South are making steady progress toward breaking down racial taboos.”

1953

Olave Baden-Powell does a lecture tour in the USA, 158 talks in 57 cities. Site of Our Cabana is acquired by WAGGGS. Juliette Gordon Low’s birthplace in Savannah, Georgia, is purchased by GSUSA. Annual Girl Scout Week celebration is changed from October to March. Membership figures show over 2 million registered Girl Scouts.

1954

The annual Girl Scout Week celebration is changed permanently from October 31 and early November to the week that includes March 12. Approximately 250 executives and 450 office personnel have been hired in the national headquarters (now located in New York City) and in Girl Scout councils throughout the 12 regions. Juliette Low is honored in Savannah, Georgia, with a school named for her.

1955

Both the Mariner and Wing programs become part of Senior Girl Scouting. Interest patches are introduced for Senior Girl Scouts. The first five were Trail Blazer, Mountaineer, Mounted, Wing and Explorer. They are discontinued in 1979.

1956

Our Cabaña, the third World Center, is dedicated on Thinking Day. The first Senior Roundup, the largest national encampment to date, brings 5,000 girls and 1,000 adults together at Pontiac, Michigan. They represent every state and territory in the United States. The Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace (Savannah, GA) is dedicated as a National Program Center for Girl Scouts. The site where the 8th national headquarters will be built is purchased in New York City. One of the first desegregations, is accomplished by Murray Walls in 1956, was Camp Shantituck in Kentucky. Martin Luther King, Jr. describes Girl Scouts as “a force for desegregation”.

1957

The Girl Scout organization’s 45th birthday coincides with the 100th anniversary of Lord Baden-Powell’s birth. Our Cabaña officially opens in Cuernavaca, Mexico as the first world center in the Western Hemisphere. National headquarters moves into its new building at 830 Third Street, New York City. It will remain there until 1992. Girl Scout membership reaches 3 million, the 1960 goal.

1959

Alaska and Hawaii become the 49th and 50th states. New quarters are needed for Our Ark, and it is relocated to larger facilities in Earls Court, London. It remains in this location until 1990. The second Senior Roundup is held in Colorado Springs with 10,000 people in attendance.

1960

The Centennial year of Juliette Low’s birth is celebrated all over the United States.

1962

Girl Scouts around the country celebrate the fiftieth Anniversary of Girl Scouting. The Girl Scout Rose and Brownie Girl Scout Marigold are developed to honor Girl Scouts. The third Senior Roundup is held in Vermont with 10,000 people in attendance. A 4-cent US postage stamp is issued in celebration of Girl Scout’s 50th anniversary.

1963

The second World Center, Our Ark, is renamed Olave House as a tribute to Olave, Lady Baden-Powell. Under the new program introduced in 1963, the old Intermediate Girl Scout badges are divided into two groups to fit the interests and abilities of Junior and Cadette Girl Scouts. Junior Girl Scout badges (green borders) are aimed at exploration, rather than concentration on any given skill. Cadette Girl Scout badges (yellow borders) emphasize intensive work in particular areas of specialization. Girl Scouting changes to four levels: Brownies (ages 7-9), Juniors (ages 9-11), Cadettes (ages 12-14) and Seniors (ages 14-17). First Class replaces the Curved Bar as the highest Girl Scout award (1963-1980). To receive the award, a Cadette Girl Scout had to earn several badges and meet four challenges, each of which is recognized with a pin. A challenge was a selected real life situation designed to test a girl’s ability to use knowledge and skill based on Girl Scout ideals and values. Junior program to include the Sign of the Arrow and the Sign of the Star.

1964

Ryukyu Islands Girl Scout stamp is released to mark the 10th Anniversary of the Ryukyu Girl Scouts. (Japan) First Reader’s Digest Foundation Grants are provided for Senior Girl Scouts to do community service projects.

1965

A new Safety-Wise is published and it standardizes the expected criteria for safety for all Girl Scout activities.

1966

Sangam (a Sanskrit word meaning “going together”) is opened as the fourth World Center in Poona (later Pune), India. Girl Guides and Girl Scouts from all 68 WAGGGS member countries attend the opening.

1967

A national conference for Senior Girl Scouts is held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Its theme is “Girl Scouting Makes the Difference,” and its subject is the inner city.

1968

Girl Scout National Center West opens at Ten Sleep, Wyoming, for traveling troop camping experiences and outdoor events for older girls. Fourteen thousand acres are purchased, and 640 additional acres are donated by the United States for the program center. Campus Girl Scouting is officially recognized as a level of Girl Scouting for college students.

1969

A national Girl Scout initiative called Action 70 is created that aimed to eliminate prejudice and to build better relations. Eco Action, a nationwide environmental education and improvement project, is launched. 130 Senior Girl Scouts from across the country are invited by NASA to view the Apollo 12 moon shot at Cape Kennedy, FL. National membership dues are raised to $2.00. Membership reaches an all-time high of 3,900,000.

1970

30 millionth member of GSUSA is registered.

1971

Accident insurance for Girl Scouts is introduced and included as a benefit of membership. A publication, Runways, describing national wider opportunities for older girls is issued for the first time. This magazine is renamed Wider Ops in the late 1980’s. Pants become part of the official adult uniform for the first time.

1972

Ryukyu Girl Scouts are united with Japanese organization, after the return of the Island to Japan. New wording of the Girl Scout Promise and Law are adopted. The law became one sentence, focusing more on the qualities expected of every human being, and not just a woman. The last change to the law prior to 1972 was in 1917. Eight new Cadette Challenges are introduced.

1973

Portrait of Juliette Low is presented to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. Brownie membership officially includes first-graders (6-year-olds) for the first time. Brownie B’s are introduced.

1974

Bust of Juliette Low is placed in Georgia’s Hall of Fame. The Daisy magazine begins publication for Brownie and Junior Girl Scouts. Girl Scout membership shows its first decline and recedes to 3,291,000.

1975

The World Association of Girl Guiding and Girl Scouting adopts the Thinking Day symbol. The National Council affirms that Girl Scout membership will continue to be open only to girls. Gloria D. Scott becomes the first African-American National Girl Scout President. Over 123 million boxes of Girl Scout Cookies are sold.

1976

Edith Macy National Center celebrates 50th Anniversary with more than 150 Girl Scouts (14-17) serving as delegates.

1977

Olave Baden-Powell dies, and her autobiography, A Window On My Heart, is printed. The Worlds To Explore program theme is introduced with the new Brownie and Junior combined handbook. The Five Worlds of Interest in Girl Scouting are introduced – well being, today and tomorrow, outdoors, arts and people. Junior Aide patch and Bridge to Juniors are introduced.

1978

A new Girl Scout Trefoil design is introduced to present a contemporary image. Because of requests from adult members, the traditional trefoil pin is continued in order that members may individually choose which trefoil design they prefer to wear. From Dreams to Reality, a career exploration project for Cadette and Senior Girl Scouts is published.

1979

Juliette Gordon Low is installed in the Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY. The final issue of The American Girl is published in the spring.

1980

Girl Scouts of the USA breaks ground for Edith Macy Conference Center, a year-round, residential, multipurpose training and educational facility. The organization initiates a capital campaign to raise the $10 million needed to continue building the center. First Class is discontinued, and the Girl Scout Gold Award for Seniors is introduced as the highest award Girl Scouts can earn. The Silver Award is the highest for Cadettes. Sign of the Rainbow, Sign of the Star, Sign of the Satellite and Bridge to Cadettes is introduced into the Girl Scout program. Membership decreases to 2,784,000.

1981

The last issue of Daisy magazine is published. Girl Scout membership increases for the first time in nearly a decade to 2,829,000.

1982

The World Association decides to build a new center that will replace Olave House and that will include the World Bureau as well, thereby realizing a long-standing dream of Olave Baden-Powell of having the two facilities side by side. Girl Scouts and Girl Guides become a part of fund-raising for the new center by buying “bricks” (at 10 cents per brick) for the new buildings. Edith Macy Conference Center opens, replacing Edith Macy Training Center. The new center will accommodate both Girl Scout and professional non-Girl Scout groups. April 22 is designated “Girl Scout Leader Day.” This is the first year it is celebrated. Lifetime memberships are offered to adults for the first time.

1983

A federal building in Savannah, GA is named after Juliette Low. It is the second federal building in the US to be named after a woman. The final issue of Council Fire is published.

1984

The 25th World Conference is held at Marymount College in Terrytown, New York. It is only the second World Conference held in the US, and girls from across the country are selected to entertain the delegates throughout the conference. Girl Scout membership expands to include Daisy Girl Scouts (age 5), thereby beginning five levels of Girl Scouting. Delegates vote to change the wording of the Girl Scout Promise.

1985

“Girl Scout Troops On Foreign Soil” is renamed “USA Girl Scouts Overseas.” The first booklet in a series of program resources on contemporary issues is published by GSUSA. It is titled Tune In To Well-Being: Say NO To Drugs. Booklets are added periodically, and by 1993 there are 11 booklets in the series.

1986

The spacecraft Challenger exploded, killing all seven astronauts, including school teacher and former Girl Scout, Sharon Christa McAuliffe. Brownie Girl Scout Try-Its are introduced. Contemporary issues resource, Staying Safe, Preventing Child Abuse, is introduced. Sign of the World is introduced into the Junior program.

1987

WAGGGS now includes 108 member countries. Girl Scouting celebrates its 75th Anniversary. The theme is “Tradition with a Future”. By this time, Girl Scouting has shaped the lives of over 52 million girls and women since its inception. A third US Postal Service commemorative stamp (22-cent) is issued to honor the world’s largest voluntary organization for girls.

1989

The National Historic Preservation Center opens at National Headquarters. National Center West in Ten Sleep, Wyoming is closed.

1990

The 27th World Conference in Singapore is attended by Eastern Bloc countries, most of which had been forced out of World Association membership by Adolph Hitler before World War II or by their political change to Communism. Girl Scout membership has increased to 3,268,630, and membership dues increase to $6.00.

1991

There are now 118 member countries in WAGGGS, including the reinstatement of Czechoslovakia - one of the founding members of the World Association which had resigned its membership when it became a Communist country. The newly-built Pax Lodge (named for the Latin word meaning “peace”) and Olave Center open in London, replacing Olave House and the World Bureau. Earth Education programs introduced.

1992

Girl Scouts of the United States of America celebrates its 80th Anniversary. Juliette Low is honored as one of the first Georgia Women of Achievement and a bust of her is displayed in the State Capitol. GSUSA moves its offices to a location not far from site of the first New York national headquarters office in 1916. Pilot program began at the Maryland Correctional Institution for Women for the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program. New wording for Girl Scout law is adopted, adding in “courageous and strong.” Girl Scout membership increases to nearly 3.5 million. The largest adult membership in the history of the organization is recorded this year. One in every nine girls ages 5 - 17 is a Girl Scout.

1993

The 28th World Conference is held in Denmark. There are now 128 member countries in WAGGGS. The National Council Meeting is held in Minneapolis, MN and the delegates vote to allow the word “God” in the Promise to be substituted - in recitation - for another spiritual word that is appropriate to an individual’s religious beliefs, thereby making the Promise applicable to all religions. The wording of the Promise will continue to contain “God” as representation of higher spiritual guidance. New Daisy and Brownie resources are introduced. For the first time Daisy girls’ books are available - Who Is A Daisy Girl Scout?/The Story of Juliette Low and My Daisy Girl Scout Activity Scrapbook. GSUSA collaborates with Scholastic, Inc. to publish a new magazine, G*I*R*L*, appropriate for Junior and Cadette age levels. The magazine is introduced at the National Council Meeting, and the first issue of the magazine is printed in 1994. Good Housekeeping presents its first Seal of Community Service to GSUSA.

1994

WAGGGS is included in the first world-wide conference for women held in Beijing; an International Year of the Family award is presented to WAGGGS. GSUSA emphasizes a strategy toward institutionalizing pluralism in Girl Scouting through a Think Tank module (introduced in 1993). New Junior program resources and uniforms are introduced.

1995

The World Association combines efforts to aid in a worldwide “Peace Pack” project. Girl Scouts and Girl Guides gather supplies for use by children in refugee camps around the world. New resources and uniforms for Cadettes and Seniors are introduced; handbooks are printed separately for each age level. Health issues take the forefront in GSUSA initiatives, and sports, fitness, and nutrition are emphasized. The first Be Your Best Day is held.

1996

The 29th World Conference is held in Nova Scotia, Canada, and there are now 136 member countries in WAGGGS. Special assistance is offered to Russian countries following the reconstruction of the United Soviet Socialist Republic. Girl Scouting’s 47th National Council Session is held in Fort Worth, TX and delegates vote to adopt new wording for the Girl Scout Law. National membership dues are increased to $7.00. Publications on science and technology are introduced, and Girl Scouting places an emphasis on encouraging girls to explore the sciences. Emphases are also being placed on gender issues and literacy. GSUSA establishes new wording for the Law. The GSUSA web site (www.gsusa.org) debuts. G*I*R*L* magazine is discontinued after 1.5 years of publication. New, separate handbooks for Cadettes and Seniors are published. Membership shows an upswing and reaches over 3,340,000.

1997

Girl Scouts from all across the United States meet on the mall in Washington, DC, to sing songs in honor of 85th anniversary. New interest project book for Cadette and Seniors is published, stressing community service and career exploration in every badge. Girl Scouts continues to be the largest voluntary organization for girls in the world.

1998

Post Office issues a stamp honoring Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts (32-cents). Membership includes over 2.5 million girls and 800,000 adult members.

1999

The 30th World Conference takes place in Dublin, Ireland. There are now 140 member countries in WAGGGS. Plans to open a World Center on the African Continent are postponed due to political unrest. A new honorary troop is formed consisting of women members of Congress. The event “celebrated the fact that two-thirds of all the female members of Congress serving today are former Girl Scouts.” Girl Scout membership exceeds 3.7 million.

2000

New publications for Daisy and Brownie age levels are available. A Daisy “earned” patch program is introduced (petals). The Girl Scout Research Institute launches its first study, Girls Speak Out: Teens Before Their Time, which found that contemporary pre-teen girls were maturing faster mentally and physically, but not emotionally, than previous generations. Safety-Wise is rewritten, the first major revision since 1990.

2001

Cadette/Senior uniforms change from royal blue to khaki, light blue blouse for Cadettes, navy blue blouse for Seniors. Bronze Award for Junior Girl Scouts is introduced, the highest award for Junior Girl Scouts. Independent Girl Scouts are now called “Juliettes”.

2002

At the Girl Scout 90th Anniversary, the first “National Women of Distinction” honors more than 1,100 guests. Uniquely ME! The Girl Scout / Unilever self-esteem program is launched.

2003

The Online Council Network’s Idea Exchange launches in June 2003, giving Girl Scout councils and GSUSA staff a way to swap information and discuss pertinent issues with one another, anywhere, any time. The Hispanic Initiative succeeds in bringing the Girl Scout message to more Latinas. The Studio 2B program for girls aged from 11 up to 17 is introduced through Cadettes and Seniors. This features Focus Books and Charms, breaking away from traditional badges. Total girl and adult membership Is 3,854,202.

2004

Major renovations of the Juliette Gordon Low Girl Scout National Center are completed in Savannah. Girl Scouts officially launches the Core Business Strategy to reinvigorate the Girl Scout Movement. GSUSA launches its first online fundraising campaign. The first Spanish-language GSUSA Web site goes live.

2005

A commemorative, bronze and granite medallion is placed in Juliette Low’s honor on the Washington D.C. Extra Mile Points of Light Volunteer Pathway which pays tribute to great Americans who built their dreams into movements that have endured. More than 25,000 girls are served by grantfunded initiatives that include Girl Scouts in Detention Centers, Girls in Public Housing, Girls in Rural Outreach, and P.A.V.E. (Project Anti-Violence Education). Corporate Web site use jumps up 74% (comparing peak months); the average time users are online increases from 6-8 minutes to 12 minutes. GSUSA begins core restructure, with the major merging of Councils into mega Councils.

2006

Fifty-two percent of councils are slated for realignment, bringing the number of Girl Scout councils from 312 to 112 by 2011. New Girl Scout Leadership Development Model defines what girls do in Girl Scouting and lays the ground work for “discover, connect, and take action” and lead with “courage, confidence, and character.”

2007

Girl Scouts Alumnae Association begins registering and reconnecting the estimated 50 million former Girl Scouts. Girl Scout cookie program is 90 years old and holds strong as America’s leading business and economic literacy program for girls. Girl Scout Research Institute starts quarterly e-newsletters.

2008

Transforming Leadership: Focusing on Outcomes of the New Girl Scout Leadership Experience introduces the 15 leadership outcomes for the three keys. All levels are changed to have Girl Scouts as the beginning of their name, e.g. “Girl Scout Brownies” instead of “Brownie Girl Scouts”, and all levels are by grade only instead of by age or grade. A new level, Girl Scout Ambassadors is created for older girls. This is the sixth level for Girl Scouts including Girl Scout Daisy (Grades K-1), Girl Scout Brownie (Grades 2-3), Girl Scout Junior (Grades 4-5), Girl Scout Cadette (Grades 6-8), Girl Scout Senior (Grades 9-10) and Girl Scout Ambassador (Grades 11-12). Dairy Queen offers “Thin Mint” blizzards for the first time in July. It also inspires a shoe and backpack collection. The first series of Leadership Journeys,”It’s Your World—Change It!” Is introduced. Books include the Welcome to the Daisy Flower Garden, Brownie Quest, Agent of Change!, aMAZE!, GIRLtopia and Your Voice, Your World. Girl Scout Daisies take part in the Girl Scout Cookie Program for the first time.

2009

President Barack Obama signs the “Girl Scouts of the USA Commemorative Coin Act” for the 100th Anniversary celebration. The act authorizes the minting of 350,000 silver dollar coins in honor of Girl Scouts and the achievements of the 50 million women influenced by Girl Scouting during the last 100 years. The second series of Leadership Journeys, “It’s Your Planet—Love It.” is released.

2010

GSUSA announces it’s new branding initiative — to convey the Girl Scouts of today. It includes updating the logo, color schemes, and more. “5 Skills in Action” becomes part of the cookie program — goal setting, decision making, money management, people skills and business ethics.

2011

The third Leadership Journey “It’s Your Story—Tell It!” is released. The Girls’ Guide to Girl Scouting is released for all levels, providing a unified program for all girls. While Daisies earn “petals” and “leaves”, all other levels earn “badges.”

2012

Happy 100th Anniversary, Girl Scouts!

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