Girl Scout Promise
On my honor, I will try: To serve God and my country, To help people at all times, And to live by the Girl Scout Law. |
Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be honest and fair, friendly and helpful, considerate and caring, courageous and strong, and responsible for what I say and do, and to, respect myself and others, respect authority, use resources wisely, make the world a better place, and be a sister to every Girl Scout. |
Leadership and Legacy
"“In founding the Girl Scout Movement in 1912, Juliette Gordon Low brought girls of all backgrounds together to provide them opportunities to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. She prepared girls for future roles as professional women—in the arts, sciences, and business—and for active citizenship outside of the home. Through Juliette’s actions, Girl Scouts has influenced more than 59 million women and continues to build girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. ”
-Kelly Parisi, Chief Communications Executive for Girl Scouts of the USA
-Kelly Parisi, Chief Communications Executive for Girl Scouts of the USA
Juliette Low defied the norm for an upperclass woman by leading an organization that adopted ideas that were not necessarily embraced by her peers. She began "an important movement that embraced women's roles while expanding gender definitions" and had a "goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the open air, " regardless of race, religion, or economic status. Juliette Low is a leader and role model girls still aspire to be like. Juliette Low's effective leadership "broke down the wall that restricted women and taught girls how to succeed at any endeavor” because she was very dedicated to making her Girl Scouts into responsible adults. Juliette Low invested the majority of her personal resources into Girl Scouts. Her organization continues to empower girls globally. Juliette Low’s legacy lives on today because "Her [my] purpose… to go on with my heart and soul, devoting all my energies to Girl Scouts, and heart and hand with them, we will make our lives and the lives of the future girls happy". Had Juliette Low not devoted all of her time to Girl Scouts, the organization may not have been as strong as it is today.
The legacy of Juliette Low's organization gave girls the foundation and tools to learn how to be independent and leaders of tomorrow. Her mission was to make "the lives of the future girls happy, healthy and holy" through her organization. Juliette Low taught her Girl Scouts "Right is right, even if no one else does it” and instilled the values of integrity in girls and gave them the ability to dream of success in their own lives.
Girl Scout leader Randa Robison says "many girls in our society today have trouble finding value in themselves and the world around them. Continuing Juliette Low's legacy through Girl Scouts teaches them about their own self importance and that they can have an important role in society. Learning the Girl Scout Law and teaching them to practice it in their daily lives helps develop girls into productive citizens and valuable leaders for our future"
The cookie sale is perhaps the most well known part of Girl Scouts. Starting in 1917, a troop sold handmade cookies to raise funds for a volunteer initiative. This idea was spread to other Girl Scout troops through the national Girl Scout magazine. Today, Girl Scout cookie selling is one of the most recognized forms of fundraising around the world. Juliette Low's legacy lives through her mission of empowering young girls with leadership and responsibility through cookie sales. Her legacy has left almost 3 million girls with the opportunity to blossom into a mature young girls through Girl Scouts.
"I think one of the most important things Juliette Low did was to get an example for girls in how to live their lives as strong, independent women and as good people in general. She is the epitome of someone who chose to rise out of a difficult situation and continue to better herself while also doing everything she could to help other people. Her kindness, determination, and resilient spirit are all things we can still learn a great deal from."
-Samantha Keck, Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace Docent