One hundred and six years ago today, a 51-year old widow reinvented herself by inventing the Girl Scouts of the USA.
Juliette Gordon Low invited 18 girls to the first Girl Scout meeting on March 12, 1912, in the carriage house of her home in Savannah, Georgia.
Today that building, known as the First Headquarters, welcomes girls (everyone, actually) from around the world who want to learn more about this woman and her life-changing movement. I look forward to being there next week.
Girl Scout First Headquarters in Savannah, Georgia
Here’s to the women willing to break the mold, challenge tradition, and shape the future. And here’s to life’s second acts!!
Every Girl Scout compass points to Savannah, birthplace of our founder, Juliette Gordon Low, and site of the First Headquarters. Both museums are within easy walking distance of the SCAD campus.
But I was delighted to learn that SCAD is forging strong ties with the Girl Scouts.
Earlier in 2015, SCAD students created a new exhibition and library space at the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace: Girl Writing the World: A Library Reimagined. According to the Birthplace website,
From the 1913 Interpreter badge to today’s Netiquette badge, proficiencies in reading, writing and speaking have played fundamental roles in the growth of Girls Scouts — fostering curiosity, exploration and intellect, as well as in developing their full potential. Tracing the arc of female writers and speakers from the beginning of time to the present, and inspired by muses, goddesses and heroines, the framework for this installation focuses on the themes of Memory, Knowledge, Imagination, Poetry and Wisdom. As a room of their own, this library provides girls of all ages a space in which to see themselves reflected and to find their own voices. Nourishing the senses, it can inspire them to remember, know, imagine, rhyme and reason, and from it, to grow wise — writing the world and making it a better place.
Here’s a look at the process of setting up the exhibit:
I’m glad that she’ll be attending SCAD, a university that realizes the value of Girl Scouting.
I’m also glad that even though Erin will be far from home, Savannah is a warm (as in friendly) welcoming city.
We’ve already found our favorite Italian spot, Fra Li Gourmet, where Lisa is a gracious host and incredible chef. They even provide pasta for several SCAD eateries. At least I know Erin will eat well.
