Juliette Gordon Low
Juliette Gordon Low – Life, Leadership, and Famous Quotes
Discover the life and legacy of Juliette Gordon Low (1860–1927), founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. Learn about her early life, leadership, philosophies, and enduring quotes.
Introduction
Juliette Gordon Low (October 31, 1860 – January 17, 1927) was an American leader and social pioneer best known for founding the Girl Scouts of the United States of America.
Her vision was to create an organization where girls could develop courage, character, confidence, and practical skills—in a time when opportunities for girls were far more limited.
Through her leadership, the Girl Scouts grew from a modest gathering in Savannah, Georgia, to a national institution with global influence.
In this article, we explore Juliette Gordon Low’s upbringing, the founding and growth of the Girl Scouts, her philosophy, memorable quotes, and the lessons her life offers today.
Early Life and Family
Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon was born on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia.
She was the second of six children of William Washington Gordon II, a cotton broker, and Eleanor “Nellie” Lytle Kinzie, whose family had literary and civic prominence.
An uncle nicknamed her “Daisy”, and she used that name throughout her life.
Juliette’s childhood was marked by curiosity, art, writing, and social engagement. She loved to write poetry, sketch, perform plays, and formed a small club with cousins—the “Helpful Hands Club”—to assist underserved children.
During the American Civil War, when Savannah was threatened by Union forces, her family moved temporarily to Georgia’s Thunderbolt area, and later she traveled with her mother to Chicago.
In her youth, Juliette attended boarding schools, including a school in New York and later schools in Europe, exposing her to broader cultural and social ideas.
She married William Mackay Low, a Scotsman, in 1886; after his death in 1905, she looked for new directions to channel her energy.
Founding the Girl Scouts
Inspiration from the Scouting Movement
In 1911, Juliette met Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, and was inspired by the Scouting model.
She became involved with the Girl Guides in England (led by Agnes Baden-Powell), forming patrols there and learning skills in camping, signaling, map reading, first aid, and handicraft.
Bringing that spirit home, Juliette resolved to start a similar organization for girls in the U.S.
Establishing the First American Troops
In March 1912, in Savannah, she launched the first American Girl Guides (later Girl Scouts) with 18 girls.
She famously said, upon her return:
“I have something for the girls of Savannah, and all America, and all the world, and we’re going to start it tonight.”
She secured a carriage house in Savannah as the first headquarters for meetings, drills, and administrative functions.
Growth, Name Change, and National Reach
Originally called Girl Guides, by 1915 the U.S. organization adopted the name Girl Scouts, reflecting American sensibilities and her vision.
She established the national headquarters (first in Washington, D.C., later in New York) and recruited leaders, patrons, and supporters across the country.
Under her leadership, members engaged in service (e.g. helping the Red Cross, food conservation during WWI), environmental education, camping, and civic activities.
Juliette also played a role in international Scouting/Guiding cooperation, serving on councils and underwriting travel for delegates from other nations.
Later Years & Passing
In 1923, Juliette was diagnosed with breast cancer, though she kept her illness largely private.
She continued to work despite her illness, including fundraising, speeches, and attending scouting events.
She made multiple trips to England seeking experimental treatments, but health complications followed.
Juliette Gordon Low died on January 17, 1927, in Savannah, at age 66.
At her funeral, many Girl Scouts left school early to attend. She was buried in her Girl Scout uniform, with a note in her pocket:
“You are not only the first Girl Scout, but the best Girl Scout of them all.”
Her tombstone bears the inscription: “Now abideth faith, hope, and love, but the greatest of these is love.”
Legacy and Influence
Juliette Gordon Low’s legacy is profound:
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The Girl Scouts of the USA grew to millions of girls and continues to be one of the largest educational leadership organizations for girls.
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In 2012, President Obama posthumously awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
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Her birthplace home in Savannah is a national historic site and serves as a museum and resource center.
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Her birthday, October 31, is commemorated as Founder’s Day by Girl Scouts.
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Camp Juliette Low (originally Cloudlands) is named in her honor.
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She holds two patents: one utility patent for a liquid container and one design patent for the trefoil Girl Scout badge.
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In 2025, she will be honored on a U.S. “Women Quarters” coin as part of the American Women Quarters Program.
Her emphasis on empowering girls—through skills, confidence, service, and leadership—echoes through generations.
Personality, Philosophy & Approach
Juliette Gordon Low’s approach to leadership was shaped by several core beliefs:
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Belief in girls’ potential: She held that girls could do far more than society often expected, and that with opportunity and support they would flourish.
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Service and responsibility: She embedded in the Girl Scouts a spirit of service—to community, nation, and the world.
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Practical skills: She insisted that scouting shouldn’t be merely symbolic—it ought to teach real skills: first aid, cooking, nature, navigation, etc.
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Connecting across differences: She believed badges and shared experiences could build understanding across social divides.
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Imagination and empathy: She spoke of putting oneself in another’s place to foster understanding and love.
Her leadership style was earnest, socially-minded, and infused with moral purpose rather than ambition alone.
Famous Quotes by Juliette Gordon Low
Here are some of her notable and inspiring quotes:
“My purpose… to go on with my heart and soul, devoting all my energies to Girl Scouts, and heart and hand with them, we will make our lives and the lives of the future girls happy, healthy and holy.”
“For when one girl sees a badge on a sister Scout's arm, if that girl has won the same badge, it at once awakens an interest and sympathy between them.”
“A badge is a symbol that girls have done the thing it stands for often enough, thoroughly enough, and well enough to be prepared to give service in it.”
“To put yourself in another's place requires real imagination, but by doing so each Girl Scout will be able to love among others happily.”
“Right is right, even if no one else does it.”
“Pure. A good housekeeper cannot endure dust and dirt … a pure mind cannot endure doubtful thoughts that cannot be freely aired and ventilated.”
“Scouting rises within you and inspires you to put forth your best.”
These words reflect her conviction in service, integrity, empathy, and the power of shared purpose.
Lessons from Juliette Gordon Low’s Life
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Start where you are, with what you have.
Juliette didn’t wait for perfect conditions. She used her connections, home, and energy to begin in Savannah and grow outward. -
Empower others through structure and support.
She built infrastructure—badge systems, manuals, training—so that girls everywhere could benefit. -
Bridge social divides through shared goals.
Her emphasis on badges and common work was a way to connect girls across social and economic lines. -
Lead with heart and conviction.
Her dedication and sincerity inspired loyalty. Even while ill, she persisted in her mission. -
Leave a legacy of service.
Her greatest achievement wasn’t fame, but the institutional structure and values she built for generations. -
Integrity matters.
“Right is right, even if no one else does it” exemplifies her moral compass guiding decisions even when unpopular.
Conclusion
Juliette Gordon Low was more than a founder—she was a visionary who believed in girls’ capacities long before mainstream society did. Her organization continues to nurture leaders and empower young women around the world. Her life teaches us that leadership rooted in empathy, purpose, and perseverance can ripple across generations.
If you’d like, I can also provide a timeline, lesser known anecdotes, or more quotes (especially from her letters or speeches). Do you want me to expand any part further?