Juliette Gordon Low played a major role in U.S. History and still does today, though many people do not know who she is. Born Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon on October 31, 1860, she eventually became the founder of Girl Scouts of the USA, a nationwide program. Juliette played a major role in young girls’ lives and her program is still working today.
Juliette or “Daisy” as she was called by family and friends, was the second of six children of a wealthy family. At a young age, she developed an interest in the arts, which lasted her whole life. Juliette wrote poems, sketched, wrote and acted in plays, and later became a skilled painter and sculptor. In her teens, she attended boarding school at what is now Stuart Hall School and later Mesdemoiselles Charbonniers, a French finishing school in NYC. Following school, Juliette traveled through the United States and Europe.
Juliette suffered an ear infection when she was about 25 years old. Her ear was treated with silver nitrate, which damaged her ear and caused her to lose most of her hearing in that ear.When Juliette was 26 years old, she married William Mackay “Willy” Low on December 21, 1886, which happened to be her parents’ 29th wedding anniversary. During the wedding, good luck rice was thrown and a grain became lodged in her good ear. When it was removed, her ear drum was punctured and became infected. Juliette was now completely deaf in that ear too.Juliette became tired of her husband’s drinking and philandering and planned on getting a divorce. Sadly, her husband died from a stroke in 1905. When her husband’s will was read, Juliette found that he had left his money to his mistress and all that she received was a small widow’s pension.After this, Juliette spent several years trying to search for something to do with her life. In 1911 she found the answer when she met Sir Robert Baden-Powell, founder of Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. She and Sir Robert shared a passion for sculpture and art. Juliette began interested in this youth movement and channeled her energy to this.
Less than a year later she returned to the U.S. and made her historic telephone call to a distant cousin saying, “I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all of the world, and we’re going to start it tonight!!” On March 12, 1912 Juliette gathered 18 girls to register the first troop of American Girl Guides. Her niece and namesake, Margaret “Daisy Doots” Gordon, became the first registered member. The name of the group was changed to Girl Scouts the following year.
Juliette brought girls of all backgrounds together, giving them the opportunity to develop self-reliance and resourcefulness. She encouraged them to prepare for future roles as professional women in arts, science, and business. Girl Scouts was a rare group, as they welcomed girls with disabilities at times when they were excluded from other activities. This seemed natural to Juliette, as she did not let her deafness, back problems, or cancer from slowing down her goals in life.Juliette died at her Savannah home on January 17, 1927. Her program has grown from the original 18 Girl Scouts to 3.7 million members. It is the largest educational organization for girls in the world. She helped lay the foundation for the World Association of Girl Guides and Scouts. After her death, her friends honored her by establishing the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund which finances international projects around the world for Girl Scouts. Through membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Girls Scouts of the USA is a part of a worldwide family of 10 million girls and adults in 145 countries. Think back to her famous quote. She definitely found something people throughout the world enjoy.
Juliette was honored many times after her death. President Harry Truman signed a bill authorizing a stamp in her honor. The stamp was one of few dedicated to women. During WW2, a Liberty ship was named after her and launched in Savannah, Georgia. In 1953, Girl Scouts purchased and restored her childhood home in Savannah and it is now known as the Juliette Gordon Low Girl Scout National Center. It is designated as a national historic landmark. A school in Savannah was named after her. In 1979, Juliette was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. President Reagan signed a bill naming a new federal building in Savannah in honor of Juliette. It was the second federal building in history to be named after a woman. In 2005, she was honored as part of a national monument in D.C. named The Extra Mile Points of Light Volunteer Pathway. The monument’s medallions, laid into sidewalks adjacent to the White House, form a one mile walking path.
There are so many more honors Juliette received after her death but it would take a lifetime to find them all. Juliette touched millions of lives not only in the United States, but also overseas. She was a great leader and role model and taught girls that you shouldn’t let anything stop you from your dreams. She was a strong, kind woman and I believe she will forever be remembered. I think she is one of the greatest women in U.S. history. For those of you who can, join Girl Scouts and be ready for a life changing experience. Juliette’s founding has still lasted today.~Cora
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