Juliette Gordon Low, founder of Girl Scouts of the USA, was born
Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia. Her fmaily & friends affectionately called her Daisy.
Young Daisy Gordon developed what was to become a lifetime interest in
the arts. She wrote poems; sketched, wrote and acted in plays; and
later became a skilled painter and sculptor. She had many pets
throughout her life and was particularly fond of exotic birds, Georgia
mockingbirds, and dogs. Daisy was also known for her great sense of
humor.
On December 21, 1886, her parents' 29th wedding anniversary, Juliette
married William Mackay Low, a wealthy Englishman, at Christ Church in
Savannah, Georgia. Although the couple moved to England, Juliette
continued her travels and divided her time between the British Isles
and America.
Juliette Gordon Low spent several years searching for something
useful to do with her life. Her search ended in 1911, when she met Sir
Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, and
became interested in the new youth movement. Afterwards, she channeled
all her considerable energies into the fledgling movement.
Less
than a year later, she returned to the United States and made her
historic telephone call to a friend (a distant cousin), saying, "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 gathered 18 girls to register the first troop of American
Girl Guides. Margaret "Daisy Doots" Gordon, her niece and namesake, was
the first registered member. The name of the organization was changed
to Girl Scouts the following year. From the original 18
girls, Girl Scouting has grown to 3.7 million members. Girl Scouts is
the largest educational organization for girls in the world and has
influenced the more than 50 million girls, women and men who have
belonged to it.
Juliette Gordon Low accumulated
admirers and friends of all ages, nationalities and walks of life. By
maintaining contact with overseas Girl Guides and Girl Scouts during
World War I, she helped lay the foundation for the World Association of
Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. After her death from breast cancer in
1927, her friends honored her by establishing the Juliette Low World
Friendship Fund, which finances international projects for Girl Scouts
and Girl Guides around the world. Juliette Gordon Low died at her
Savannah, Georgia, home on Lafayette Square January 17, 1927. She is
buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery in Savannah.