Written by Council Historian, Vikki Zack
Girl Scouts was founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, GA, who was a woman ahead of her time preparing girls to be leaders in all aspects of life
By the 25th anniversary of the Girl Scout movement in 1937, 529 councils existed, supporting girls ages 7 to 18. The first national franchised cookie sale had been started the year before with 29 bakers, raising funds to further develop programs. Girl Scouting promoted not only social responsibility and leadership, but also outdoor skills. The Silver Jubilee was held at Camp Andree in Briarcliff Manor, NY, where 100 girls from the USA and 26 other countries gathered to celebrate.
The U.S. Post Office issued a 4-cent commemorative Girl Scout stamp for the 50th anniversary. Membership had grown from the 12 girls in Savannah to approximately 3.5 million in 1962, with over 300 Girl Scout councils empowering girls with skills, confidence, and leadership. A Girl Scout Rose and a Brownie Marigold were specifically cultured to observe this milestone and were unveiled at the McCormick Annual Flower Show. The Girl Scout slogan for this anniversary was “Honor the Past, Serve the Future”.
In Chicago, with over 6,000 girls, a Jubilee was held at the International Amphitheater with demonstrations of folk dancing, outdoor skills, and many exhibits of Girl Scout activities. Girls wrote a pledge that they sent to President Kennedy in response to his challenge to Girl Scouts to “prepare yourselves for service to your country and to mankind”.
DuPage County Council kicked off the 50th with a “Kaffee Klatch” for the staff that was sponsored by their Board of Directors. Four performances were held at Melody Top in Hinsdale, reserving seats for Girl Scouts and families to attend.
Cook County held a special 60th anniversary going back to the traditions from the beginning. Special services were held Sunday at many places of worship, and several neighborhoods took on the challenge of Girl Scout Week with each day having a theme: Monday was Homemaking Day; Tuesday was Citizenship Day, Wednesday was Health and Safety Day; Thursday was International Friendship Day; Friday was Arts and Crafts Day; and Saturday was Outdoor Day. Girl Scouts learned things from someone who could help them from the past. Nearly 350 Girl Scouts from Markham participated in a flag ceremony at the public library and then held an exhibition including skits and films, along with arts, crafts and other displays.
The 75th anniversary was themed “Tradition with a Future”. On March 12, the U.S. Post Office released a 22-cent stamp featuring a Junior Badge Sash. New uniforms for Cadettes and Seniors were introduced with blue skirts, vests and sashes, with a white, green and blue pinstripe shirt and a kelly green tie.
Girl Scouts of Chicago held a promise Circle Ceremony at the Daley Plaza and presented the mayor’s office with a scroll of troops doing 75 Days of Service. On April 25 a parade of over 3,100 girls and adults from 12 Chicagoland councils marched down Michigan Avenue, “Girl Scouts on Parade”, to celebrate the 75th milestone. Chicago also printed a book with its council history of all the above activities and the parade featuring everyone involved.
Calumet Council held a Flag Ceremony for the 75th where Girl Scouts from several troops participated, inviting Girl Scouts and their families to join in for cake and soft drinks at the Hammond Civic Center. Everyone was asked to bring canned goods that were taken to Greater Hammond Community Services.
To observe the 85th anniversary, Girl Scouts from across the country gathered to “Rock the Mall” in Washington, D.C. with singing of many loved new and old Girl Scout songs. The overwhelming success of this event led to the revival several times, ensuring many more years of this wonderful organization.
For the 90th anniversary, and with Girl Scouts still growing, Girl Scout volunteer Carol Kocan held a food drive at Chicago’s Navy Pier to help fight hunger. Donations benefited pantries, shelters, day care centers, and other agencies through the Greater Chicago Food Depository, where a full truckload plus was delivered.
The year 2012 brought the 100th birthday. Promise Circles were held at several locations around our new council, Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana, which had merged seven councils into one. A presentation of uniforms across the years was done at council recognition events. A 10-km run was held in Downtown Chicago, to support and celebrate Girl Scouting.
In Northwest Indiana, Girl Scout Senior/Ambassador Troop 60035 held a Promise Circle in Wicker Park with over 400 people in attendance. The Highland Fire Department hung a huge flag at the top of one of the engines with a flood light at dusk, while the police provided traffic control. Former CEO Ester (Rusty) Kristoff from Calumet Council was the guest speaker, a Girl Scout played TAPS on her trumpet while everyone sang along. Canned goods were collected which the fire department took to food pantries. Dessert and drinks were served by the Girl Scouts with many donations of cakes and sweets from local businesses.
While our next mile marker event won’t be held until 2037 for our 125th, we can look at our Nation’s 250th this year and find ways to celebrate milestones of our camps, our troops, and our founder, Juliette Gordon Low every year.