(1) The Girl Scouts of the United States of America is the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where they build character and skills for success in the real world.
(2) In 1911, Juliette Gordon Low met Sir Robert Baden-Powell, a war hero and the founder of the Boy Scouts.
(3) With Baden-Powell’s help and encouragement, Juliette Gordon Low made plans to start a similar association for American girls.
(4) On March 12, 1912, Juliette Gordon Low organized the first 2 Girl Scout Troops in Savannah, Georgia consisting of 18 members.
(5) Low devoted the next 15 years of her life to building the organization, which would become the largest voluntary association for women and girls in the United States.
(6) Low drafted the Girl Scout laws, supervised the writing of the first handbook in 1913, and provided most of the financial support for the organization during its early years.
(7) The Girl Scouts of the United States of America was chartered by the United States Congress in 1950 in title 36, United States Code.
(8) Today there are more than 3,700,000 members in 236,000 troops throughout the United States and United States territories.
(9) Through membership in the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, Girls Scouts of the United States of America is part of a worldwide family of 10,000,000 girls and adults in 145 countries.
(10) More than 50,000,000 American women enjoyed Girl Scouting during their childhood--and that number continues to grow as Girl Scouts of the United States of America continues to inspire, challenge, and empower girls everywhere.
(11) March 12, 2012, will mark the 100th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
U.S. Congress - Text of S.451 as Introduced in Senate Girl Scouts USA Centennial Commemorative Coin Act
