At first, Girl Scouts of America offered young women opportunities to earn badges by refining or learning new skills and serving their communities in a multitude of ways. The organization quickly gained nationwide participation, reaching 70,000 members representing all 50 states by 1920 and, just a decade later, surpassed 200,000 members across the country.
Over time, the Scouts’ vision and service evolved and adapted to fit the needs of young women and the world around them. During the Great Depression, the Scouts helped organize relief efforts that included making quilts, toys, and most notably, cookies. During World War II, the Girl Scouts once again stepped up to provide meaningful contributions and aid the wartime effort by gathering scrap metal, cultivating victory gardens, and collecting more than 1.5 million articles of clothing that were shipped overseas for those impacted by the conflict. The Girl Scouts also operated bicycle courier services, volunteered in hospitals, and sponsored Defense Institutes which taught more than 10,000 women survival skills and techniques for comfort children during blackouts and air raids.
Throughout the 20th century, the Girl Scouts of America continued to grow and have tangible impacts across the country, including during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. In the 1980s, the Girl Scouts Movement launched several new programs including its “Contemporary Issues” series and “Tune In to Well Being, Say No to Drugs” campaign initiated by First Lady Nancy Reagan. These initiatives put an emphasis on uplifting those who were dealing with adversity, both here and abroad, and help young women navigate new social issues including literacy, abuse, and suicide. What began as a small group of less than 20 girls had now evolved into a national organization with figures well in excess of 1 million members and the ability to meaningfully improve the lives of those often overlooked.
Today, the Girl Scouts continue to evolve in order to provide girls with real-world skills that empower them to succeed wherever they go. At the turn of the century, the Scouts began emphasizing the importance of STEM, leadership skills, and entrepreneurship to allow girls to explore their interests and prepare them for professions in a variety of fields. The organization has also launched the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, a girl-led program that cultivates life skills and leadership qualities through community engagement and mentorship opportunities that not only build confidence and foster relationships but allow Scouts the opportunity to grow as community leaders even at a young age.
While we celebrate the Girl Scouts’ 113th Birthday today, we recognize the enduring legacy the organization has left and the important impact it has and continues to have on the lives of countless young women. Here's to many more years of empowering young women to lead with courage, confidence, and character!
Over time, the Scouts’ vision and service evolved and adapted to fit the needs of young women and the world around them. During the Great Depression, the Scouts helped organize relief efforts that included making quilts, toys, and most notably, cookies. During World War II, the Girl Scouts once again stepped up to provide meaningful contributions and aid the wartime effort by gathering scrap metal, cultivating victory gardens, and collecting more than 1.5 million articles of clothing that were shipped overseas for those impacted by the conflict. The Girl Scouts also operated bicycle courier services, volunteered in hospitals, and sponsored Defense Institutes which taught more than 10,000 women survival skills and techniques for comfort children during blackouts and air raids.
Throughout the 20th century, the Girl Scouts of America continued to grow and have tangible impacts across the country, including during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. In the 1980s, the Girl Scouts Movement launched several new programs including its “Contemporary Issues” series and “Tune In to Well Being, Say No to Drugs” campaign initiated by First Lady Nancy Reagan. These initiatives put an emphasis on uplifting those who were dealing with adversity, both here and abroad, and help young women navigate new social issues including literacy, abuse, and suicide. What began as a small group of less than 20 girls had now evolved into a national organization with figures well in excess of 1 million members and the ability to meaningfully improve the lives of those often overlooked.
Today, the Girl Scouts continue to evolve in order to provide girls with real-world skills that empower them to succeed wherever they go. At the turn of the century, the Scouts began emphasizing the importance of STEM, leadership skills, and entrepreneurship to allow girls to explore their interests and prepare them for professions in a variety of fields. The organization has also launched the Girl Scout Leadership Experience, a girl-led program that cultivates life skills and leadership qualities through community engagement and mentorship opportunities that not only build confidence and foster relationships but allow Scouts the opportunity to grow as community leaders even at a young age.
While we celebrate the Girl Scouts’ 113th Birthday today, we recognize the enduring legacy the organization has left and the important impact it has and continues to have on the lives of countless young women. Here's to many more years of empowering young women to lead with courage, confidence, and character!