Girl Scouts — especially daisies — learn that they can make a difference, one petal at a time. Through a variety of meaningful projects, they can explore the world around them and discover that what makes each of them special is also important to the community. Whether it’s a food drive or volunteering at an animal shelter, these simple and easy projects help girls understand that they can make a difference.
Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low started the Girl Scout movement in early 1912 after her return to Savannah from a trip to England, where she saw a similar organization for boys. Her niece Daisy was among the first girls to sign up, and she received a yellow flower-shaped badge and a small scrapbook in which to record her experiences.
Daisy had five brothers and sisters, so she often spent time with her family. Her interests included athletics, art, and animals, as well as starting clubs and playing games. She had a passion for learning, and she continued to pursue it throughout her life.
During her Girl Scout years, Daisy developed leadership skills that would be useful in her future careers. She was a steadfast friend and mentor to her younger Girl Scout sisters, and she regularly visited with Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Boy Scouts.
Girls can become leaders at an early age, and they learn that what makes a good leader is being kind and helpful to others. Girls can take the lead at the beginning of each troop meeting by leading a recitation of the Girl Scout Promise and Law, singing a song, or conducting an opening or closing activity. This is just the beginning, and they can learn more about leading in our volunteer toolkit, a free online resource for meeting overviews and materials lists.