Low, Juliette Gordon, 1860-1927

Juliette Gordon Low (October 31, 1860 – January 17, 1927) was the American founder of Girl Scouts of the USA. Inspired by the work of Lord Baden-Powell, founder of Boy Scouts, she joined the Girl Guide movement in England, forming her own group of Girl Guides there in 1911.

In 1912 she returned to the States, and the same year established the first U.S. Girl Guide troop in Savannah, Georgia. In 1915, the United States' Girl Guides became known as the Girl Scouts, and Juliette Gordon Low was the first ever leader. She remained active until the time of her death.

Her birthday, October 31, is celebrated each year by the Girl Scouts as "Founder's Day"

In 1912, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low gathered girls from her cousin Nina Pape’s school in her hometown to share exciting plans for a new outdoors and educational club for girls. From that first group of 18 Savannah girls, Daisy’s club grew quickly to become Girl Scouts of the USA, an organization that today serves millions of girls all over the United States and the world.

During the Progressive Era, before women in the United States had the right to vote, 51-year-old Juliette sparked a worldwide movement that equipped girls to learn new skills, embrace adventure, and be their best selves.

Early Life

Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon (nicknamed "Daisy") was born on October 31, 1860, the second of six children. Her parents were Eleanor Kinzie Gordon of Chicago, Illinois, and William W. Gordon of Savannah, Georgia. Daisy was raised in a prominent Savannah family that believed in community service, education, and being good neighbors, but they also enslaved people to work in their household and businesses, including children. When the Civil War began in 1861, her father fought for the Confederacy. Her mother's Illinois relatives fought for the United States. When Daisy was four years old, the end of the Civil War brought freedom for enslaved people in the United States. These are hard things to think about, but they are part of Juliette Gordon Low’s story ...