110 years ago, the founder of Girl Scouts, Juliette Gordon Low, imagined a movement where all girls could come together, explore their worlds, and embrace their unique strengths and passions—and, as Girl Scouts has done ever since, she worked hard to turn that vision into reality, engaging countless enthusiastic supporters and volunteers along the way.
I’m excited to have Margaret Seiler, Juliette’s grandniece—a dedicated volunteer herself—join me in celebrating our volunteers and their commitment to our Movement with this guest post for Girl Scouts.
Thank you, Margaret! And thank you, Girl Scout volunteers, for all you do on behalf of the girls you serve!
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April is National Volunteer Month! When our new CEO, Sofia Chang, asked me if I could write something to honor volunteers for the Girl Scout Blog, I enthusiastically said yes. Volunteers, who make up a large portion of Girl Scout membership, are the lifeblood of this organization. Without the dedication, creativity, and generosity of so many troop leaders, service unit managers, delegates, and many others, we would not have the very foundation upon which Girl Scouts resides. Our volunteers nurture girls and young women, challenging them to find new passions, set and achieve new goals, form firm bonds of friendship with other Girl Scouts, serve others in their communities, and be their best selves.
I am privileged to be related to our founder, Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low. Aunt Daisy (as my mother, her youngest niece, always called her) was raised in a family that valued service to country and community. I was a Brownie, a Girl Scout, and finally a mother to two Girl Scouts. Now I serve as a volunteer on the Birthplace Advisory Committee for the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah. I’m also a member of the Juliette Gordon Low Society. And I love to visit with girls of all ages, to share stories about my Great-Aunt Daisy, the whimsical, artistic, headstrong woman who never took “no” for an answer as she built the Girl Scout Movement.
My family cares deeply about preserving our Great-Aunt Daisy’s history and legacy. She is a role model for all those who believe in female empowerment and inclusivity. I am proud to serve as a volunteer to uphold her ideals, and I applaud all the many volunteers who serve Girl Scouts during this National Volunteer Month!