Juliette Gordon Low

Introduction to Juliette Gordon Low

Juliette Gordon Low was the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA, an organization dedicated to empowering girls and women through education, leadership, and service.

Early Life and Family Background

Juliette Gordon Low was born on October 10, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia. Her family was a privileged and influential family. Low was the second child of six children born to William Washington Gordon II and Eleanor Lytle Kinzie.

Childhood Nickname and Early Life Challenges

Low’s name was attributed to her grandmother. As a child, she also was nicknamed “Daisy” by her uncle.
At infancy, Low’s father joined the Confederate States Army to fight in the American Civil War. Due to the close proximity of Union troops to Savannah, she moved with her mother and two sisters to Thunderbolt, Georgia.

Relocation and Interaction with General Sherman

After the Union victory in Savannah, Low’s family received many visits from General William T. Sherman, and with his help, her family moved to Chicago.

Health Struggles

Low was a sickly child, always suffering from one sickness to the other, including developing partial deafness that graduated to complete deafness.

Early Interests and Education

As a child, Low enjoyed spending more time on art and poetry than on school work. She also formed clubs with her cousins too. Low attended numerous boarding schools and also took painting lessons in New York.

Marriage and Social Causes

In 1886, Low married William Mackay Low, a British aristocrat, and relocated to England. Throughout her travels, she actively engaged in various social causes, including the women’s suffrage movement and the Red Cross. Despite suffering from chronic ear infections and partial deafness, she remained resolute in pursuing her interests and making a difference.

Inspiration for the Girl Scouts

It was during a meeting with Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts, in 1911 that Low found inspiration for her own vision of scouting for young girls. Determined to bring this movement to America, she returned to Savannah in 1912 and convened the first gathering of the American Girl Guides, which eventually evolved into the Girl Scouts.

Dedication to Girl Scouts

From that point forward, she dedicated her life to expanding and nurturing the organization. Low’s leadership was characterized by her unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion within the Girl Scouts. She wholeheartedly embraced girls from all backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs, ensuring that the movement reflected the rich tapestry of society.

Legacy of Juliette Gordon Low

Juliette Gordon Low’s legacy as a visionary leader lives on through the enduring impact of the Girl Scouts. Her tireless efforts continue to inspire and empower generations of girls, providing them with the tools they need to succeed and make a positive difference in the world.

Beliefs and Final Years

She believed that girls could do anything they set their minds to and encouraged them to explore their talents and potential.
Low died of breast cancer in 1927 at the age of 66.