Juliette Gordon Low (center) with two Girl Scouts in 1925

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images (Low); Courtesy of Girl Scouts of the USA (all other images)

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Girl Power!

Juliette Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts in 1912—and taught millions of girls to love the outdoors. 

March 3, 2025
By Talia Cowen

As You Read: Why do you think Low was chosen to appear on the new quarters?

U.S. Mint

The new quarter honoring Low

Growing up in the 1860s, Juliette Gordon Low loved being outside. She would often climb trees and swim in rivers. At the time, many people thought only boys should do those things. But Low disagreed. She thought girls should be able to do anything boys could.

As Low got older, her love of adventure continued. She wanted more girls to get the chance to play outside and have fun. That’s why, in 1912, Low founded the Girl Scouts of the USA. The organization has helped millions of girls learn leadership skills, boost their confidence, and more. 

This year, Low is being honored in a special way. She’s being featured on millions of new quarters. The coins are part of the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters Program. (The Mint is the government agency in charge of making coins.) Since 2022, the Mint has released five special quarters each year. The coins honor female trailblazers in history (see “Faces of Change”). 

Shannon Browning-Mullis is an expert on Girl Scout history. She hopes Low’s story encourages kids to dream big. 

“Low was just a lady who had an idea,” Browning-Mullis says. “She thought, ‘I’m going to change the country.’ And she did.” 

Juliette Gordon Low grew up in the 1860s. She loved being outside. She climbed trees and swam in rivers. At the time, many people thought only boys should do those things. But Low disagreed. She thought girls should be able to do anything boys could.

As Low got older, her love of adventure continued. She wanted more girls to be able to play outside. So Low founded the Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912. The organization has helped millions of girls. They learn leadership skills, boost their confidence, and more. 

This year, Low is being honored in a special way. She’s being featured on millions of new quarters. They are part of the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters Program. (The Mint is the government group that makes coins.) Since 2022, the Mint has released five special quarters each year. The coins honor female trailblazers in history (see “Faces of Change”). 

Shannon Browning-Mullis is an expert on Girl Scout history. She hopes Low’s story helps kids to dream big. 

“Low was just a lady who had an idea,” Browning-Mullis says. “She thought, ‘I’m going to change the country.’ And she did.”

Bob Grannis/Getty Images

Girl Scouts on a camping trip in Tennessee in 1954

A Group for Girls

Low was born on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia. Her friends and family called her Daisy.

As an adult, Low moved to England. In 1911, she met Robert Baden-Powell. He had founded the Boy Scouts in England a few years earlier. He explained to Low that the boys would explore the outdoors and work together to help their communities. He also told her about a similar group in England for girls. 

That got Low thinking. Would girls in America want to take part in groups like this too? After all, these were the very activities she had been interested in as a kid.

Low returned to Savannah in 1912. She called her cousin, a school principal, right away. Low couldn’t wait to share her idea. 

“I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world,” Low said. “And we’re going to start it tonight!” 

Low was born on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia. Her family called her Daisy.

As an adult, Low moved to England. In 1911, she met Robert Baden-Powell. Baden-Powell had started the Boy Scouts in England. He told Low that the boys explored the outdoors. They also helped their communities. He told her about a similar group in England for girls. 

That got Low thinking. Would American girls like to join groups like this too? After all, these were the same activities she had enjoyed as a kid.

Low returned to Savannah in 1912. She called her cousin right away. Her cousin was a school principal. Low couldn’t wait to share her idea.

“I’ve got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world,” Low said. “And we’re going to start it tonight!”

Pause and Think

What inspired Low to start the Girl Scouts? 

What inspired Low to start the Girl Scouts? 

Learning Key Skills

Soon 18 girls joined Low’s first group of Girl Scouts. They learned to tie knots, went camping, and played basketball. 

At first, many people were skeptical of the organization. But Low was determined to make the Girl Scouts a success. She raised money and spread the word. She told people how important it was for girls to learn real-world skills and become leaders.

Over time, tens of thousands of girls joined Girl Scout groups, called troops. They went on to play key roles in their communities and beyond. For example, Girl Scout troops helped raise money during times of war. They also spoke out about important issues, like women’s rights. 

“Since their founding, Girl Scouts have been an incredible force in most of the major moments in American history,” explains Browning-Mullis.

Soon 18 girls joined Low’s first group of Girl Scouts. They learned to tie knots. They went camping. They played basketball. 

At first, people were skeptical of the group. But Low was determined to make the Girl Scouts a success. She raised money. She told people how important it was for girls to learn real-world skills and become leaders.

Over time, thousands of girls joined Girl Scout groups. These groups are called troops. They played key roles in their communities. For example, Girl Scout troops helped raise money during times of war. They spoke out about important issues, like women’s rights. 

“Since their founding, Girl Scouts have been an incredible force in most of the major moments in American history,” explains Browning-Mullis.

Girl Scouts Through the Years

Courtesy of Girls Scouts of the USA

1917: The first Girl Scout cookie sale is held in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Selling cookies helps girls learn how to run a business. 

1923: For the first time, there are Girl Scout troops in every U.S. state.

1917: The first Girl Scout cookie sale is held in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Selling cookies helps girls learn how to run a business. 

1923: For the first time, there are Girl Scout troops in every U.S. state.

Courtesy of Girl Scouts of the USA

1984: Kindergartners can join the Girl Scouts for the first time. They’re called Daisies in Low’s honor.

1984: Kindergartners can join the Girl Scouts for the first time. They’re called Daisies in Low’s honor.

NASA 

1992: Girl Scout cookies are sent into space with astronaut (and former Girl Scout) Jan Davis.

1992: Girl Scout cookies are sent into space with astronaut (and former Girl Scout) Jan Davis.

Peter Barreras/Invision for Netflix, Girl Scouts of the USA/AP Images

2011: A new Girl Scout program focuses on science and technology. 

2011: A new Girl Scout program focuses on science and technology. 

Lasting Impact

Low died on January 17, 1927. But the Girl Scouts lived on. Today there are more than 1 million Girl Scouts across the country. What’s more, about one in three adult women in the U.S. were once Girl Scouts. They include scientists, business owners, and leaders in government.

Browning-Mullis says the success of the Girl Scouts shows that anything is possible when people work together.

“That’s how we make change and how we make things better,” she explains.

Low died on January 17, 1927. But the Girl Scouts lived on. Today there are more than 1 million Girl Scouts. They’re all across the country. About one in three women in the U.S. were once Girl Scouts. They include scientists, business owners, and leaders in government.

Browning-Mullis says the success of the Girl Scouts shows that anything is possible when people work together.

“That’s how we make change and how we make things better,” she explains.

Faces of Change

Meet the other four women the Mint will honor this year with new quarters.

Meet the other four women the Mint will honor this year with new quarters.

Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty Images (Wells); U.S. Mint (quarter)

Ida B. Wells

Born: July 16, 1862

Died: March 25, 1931

Wells was born into slavery. Still, she went on to become one of the most important journalists of the late 1800s and early 1900s. At the time, it was common for Black people in the South to be killed because of their skin color. But Wells risked her life to report about these crimes. 

Ida B. Wells

Born: July 16, 1862

Died: March 25, 1931

Wells was born into slavery. Still, she went on to become one of the most important journalists of the late 1800s and early 1900s. At the time, it was common for Black people in the South to be killed because of their skin color. But Wells risked her life to report about these crimes. 

Courtesy of Carnegie Institution for Science Archives (Rubin); U.S. Mint (quarter)

Vera Rubin

Born: July 23, 1928 

Died: December 25, 2016

Growing up, Rubin loved staring at the night sky. In the late 1940s, she became an astronomer. Back then, there were few female scientists. Rubin’s research was often overlooked. But Rubin would make her mark. In the 1960s, she proved that dark matter was real. That’s an invisible substance in the universe.

Vera Rubin

Born: July 23, 1928 

Died: December 25, 2016

Growing up, Rubin loved staring at the night sky. In the late 1940s, she became an astronomer. Back then, there were few female scientists. Rubin’s research was often overlooked. But Rubin would make her mark. In the 1960s, she proved that dark matter was real. That’s an invisible substance in the universe.

Bettmann Archive/Getty Images (Gibson); U.S. Mint (quarter)

Althea Gibson

Born: August 25, 1927

Died: September 28, 2003

Gibson was the first Black tennis star, male or female. She won five singles titles at tennis’s biggest tournaments. Gibson led the way for future Black tennis stars, including Serena Williams and Coco Gauff. She also became a professional golfer.

Althea Gibson

Born: August 25, 1927

Died: September 28, 2003

Gibson was the first Black tennis star, male or female. She won five singles titles at tennis’s biggest tournaments. Gibson led the way for future Black tennis stars, including Serena Williams and Coco Gauff. She also became a professional golfer.

Courtesy of the Milbern family (Milbern); U.S. Mint (quarter)

Stacey Park Milbern

Born: May 19, 1987 

Died: May 19, 2020

Milbern was born with a disorder that weakens muscles over time. She began using a wheelchair in middle school. In 2007, Milbern helped get a law passed in North Carolina. It requires public schools to teach about disability history.

Stacey Park Milbern

Born: May 19, 1987 

Died: May 19, 2020

Milbern was born with a disorder that weakens muscles over time. She began using a wheelchair in middle school. In 2007, Milbern helped get a law passed in North Carolina. It requires public schools to teach about disability history.

1. What experience gave Juliette Gordon Low the idea to start Girl Scouts of the USA?

2. What does the author mean when she writes that “this year, Low is being honored in a special way”?

3. Which woman described in the “Faces of Change” sidebar do you think had the greatest impact on history or society? Explain.

1. What experience gave Juliette Gordon Low the idea to start Girl Scouts of the USA?

2. What does the author mean when she writes that “this year, Low is being honored in a special way”?

3. Which woman described in the “Faces of Change” sidebar do you think had the greatest impact on history or society? Explain.

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