Girl Scout Founder’s Day

Girl Scout Founder’s Day, observed on October 31, honors Juliette Gordon Low, the visionary woman who founded Girl Scouts of the USA. Born on October 31, 1860, Low believed in giving girls opportunities to build confidence, develop practical skills, serve their communities, and discover their own potential.

On October 31, Girl Scouts, alumnae, families, and supporters celebrate her lasting legacy through community service, outdoor activities, learning, and acts of kindness. The observance is also a chance to recognize the enduring values of courage, confidence, and character that continue to inspire Girl Scouts everywhere.

Girl Scout Founder’s Day is observed on **October 31** to honor Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts of the USA. Low was born on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia. Inspired by the early Girl Guides movement in Britain and by its founder, Robert Baden-Powell, she organized the first American Girl Guide troops in Savannah in 1912. The organization soon became known as the Girl Scouts, creating opportunities for girls to develop confidence, practical skills, leadership abilities, and a spirit of service.

The observance grew from the Girl Scout tradition of remembering Low on her birthday. Her work was especially significant because it established a national organization centered on girls’ education and active participation at a time when many educational and civic opportunities were restricted by gender. Low emphasized outdoor activities, community service, self-reliance, and cooperation—principles that helped distinguish the new movement from classroom-based instruction alone.

Over time, October 31 became an occasion not only to recall Low’s life but also to recognize the continuing work of Girl Scouts and adult volunteers. Local councils and troops may mark Founder’s Day through ceremonies, educational programs, service projects, historical presentations, or activities connected with Girl Scout traditions. These observances help members link present-day programs with the organization’s beginnings in the early twentieth century.

Culturally, Girl Scout Founder’s Day highlights the lasting influence of a movement created to help girls become capable and engaged members of their communities. Remembering Low on October 31 connects her pioneering efforts with the accomplishments of generations of Girl Scouts in leadership, science, public service, entrepreneurship, and civic life. The day therefore serves both as a commemoration of the organization’s founder and as a reflection on its continuing commitment to building courage, confidence, and character.