Knox County Girl Scouts invites the community to a Founder’s Birthday event, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m., at Thomaston Academy. Activities will include sling shots, ring toss, make your own magnets, fun camp and Girl Scouts songs, and more. October 31 is commemorated by the Girl Scouts each year as Founder's Day to honor the founder, Juliette Gordan Low. 

According to a news release, Julliette Gordan Low (October 31, 1860 - January 17, 1927) founded the Girl Scouts of the United States after being inspired by the work of Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout Movement, and becoming a member of the Girl Guide movement in England. She encouraged members to become self-sufficient by learning first aid and how to spin wool, care for livestock, tie knots, read maps, knit, and cook. She appreciated the scouting values of military preparedness so she had her friends in the military instruct the Girl Guides in drilling, signaling, and camping also. 

In 1912, she established the first Girl Guide troop in Savannah, Georgia, registering 18 girls initially. She wanted to help girls have fun while learning practical skills and building character. In 1913, after returning to Savannah after time in England, Low learned that the Girl Guides in Savannah had already renamed themselves to Girl Scouts because “Scout” reminded them of America’s pioneer ancestry. 

The Girl Scouts continued to grow after World War I and today, there are nearly 2 million members nationwide with more than 50 million American women who have participated in the Girl Scouts throughout history. Low remained active with the Girl Scouts until the time of her death at the age of 66. She was buried in her Girl Scout uniform with a note in her pocket stating: "You are not only the first Girl Scout, but the best Girl Scout of them all.” 

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