As governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter presided over a special ceremony at the Georgia State House in Atlanta.
A bronze sculpture of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts, was unveiled on October 31, 1974, her 114th birthday.
A 60-girl chorus set the tone of the event, which was attended by local and national Girl Scout officials and Daisy Lawrence, the first girl registered in the movement. According to the National Sculpture Society, Mrs. Platt was not present because she had been murdered two months earlier by a serial killer in her New York studio. Indeed, Leader Magazine notes her passing in the November/December 1974 issue.
Juliette became the second woman to receive this honor. Gone with the Wind author Margaret Mitchell was first.
It took 18 months to reach this special moment. First, adult Girl Scouts lobbied the Georgia State Legislature to pass a resolution authorizing a bust of Mrs. Low in the Georgia Hall of Fame. Next, acclaimed sculptor Eleanor Platt was selected to create the piece. She also did the Mitchell portrait bus. Finally, funds had to be raised.
Money was raised primarily by girls. Thousands sent in dimes, quarters, and dollar bills.
Leader magazine followed the sculpting process in a series of articles published throughout 1974 (April/May, September, October, and January/February 1975.
Miniature versions of the bust were also available for sale in Girl Scout shops.
President Carter
President and Mrs. Carter continued supporting the Girl Scouts during their time at the White House.
Rosalynn and Amy Carter, too.
First Lady Rosalynn Carter served as honorary national president of the organization, and daughter Amy joined a local Brownie troop.
Georgia does seem to produce persons of integrity and humanity.
© 2025 Ann Robertson, writer, editor, Girl Scout historian, but NOT a Girl Scout employee.
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