Written by: Bailey Hemphill and Theresa Cassaday | Photos provided by: Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska
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The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.
– Juliette Gordon Low, Founder of Girl Scouts of the United States of America
Girl Scouts of the USA: Celebrating 100 Years of Leadership
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isionary trailblazer Juliette Gordon Low always believed that girls should be given equal opportunities as boys to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually, despite the lack of an organization that could provide a path to leadership for women. So, in 1912, Gordon Low gathered 18 girls to form the first Girl Scout troop in America. Since the first meeting in Savannah, Ga., there’s been only one qualification required to become a Girl Scout—being a girl. Since its inception, Girl Scouts of the USA has flourished throughout the nation. In 1926, it was established in Nebraska with the formation of the first troops in Omaha. From there, Girl Scout councils came together in Fairbury (1932), Lincoln (1941), Ogallala (1953), Columbus (1956), and Kearney (1976). For 82 years, these original councils were essential to the community. In 2008, the five councils—Homestead (Lincoln), Guiding Star (Ogallala), Goldenrod (Kearney), Prairie Hills (Columbus), and Great Plains (Omaha)—merged to become Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, in an effort to create a council that could more effectively serve the girls. The Spirit of Nebraska council consists of over 18,000 girls and 6,000 adults in 92 Nebraska counties and the community of Carter Lake, Iowa. Realigning the councils has allowed Girl Scouts of Nebraska programs and activities to expand; and the larger geographic span also presents more opportunities for volunteers and girls to work with other girls and adults from diverse backgrounds.
Every uniform piece tells the story of a girl’s unique journey through Girl Scouting.
Today, there are more than 2 million girls of all ages, races, ethnicities, beliefs, economic statuses, and physical abilities in Girl Scouts. For the past 100 years, Girl Scouts has done more than any other organization to provide leadership experiences for girls, focusing on the principles set by Gordon Low to help girls develop their character, confidence, and courage from the values and lessons instilled over time. Denise Cobb initially got involved with Girl Scouts as a favor to a friend. The leader of Troop 45013 asked her if she could help make a troop roster and some forms; and then she was asked to come to a meeting to assist the troop with a “Holiday Around the World” activity. “Once I met the girls, I was hooked,” says Cobb. CONTINUED ON PAGE 23 >>
• readonlinenow.com January 2012
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