Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, for a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed that all girls should be given the opportunity to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually. With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated home environments and into community service and the open air, Girl Scouts hiked, played basketball, went on camping trips, learned how to tell time by the stars, and studied first aid.
Within a few years, Daisy's dream for a girl-centered organization was realized. One hundred years later, Girl Scouts of the USA has a membership of over 3.2 million girls and adults, a significant growth from its modest beginnings. In fact, more than 50 million women in the U.S. today are Girl Scout alumnae.
Whether you are a girl, a parent, a volunteer, an alumnae or a member of our vast community, we hope you will help us to celebrate not only what Girl Scouting has accomplished over the past 100 years, but also where we are headed in the next 100 years.
GSCWM Anniversary Patches
GSCWM is in the process of designing a 100th Anniversary Commemorative Patch. This patch will be available for purchase in all council stores and at council events throughout 2012. In addition, ‘bars’ will be available for participation in special anniversary activities including: The Big Event (May 5, 2012), The Camporee of the Century (May 5-6, 2012) and 100 for the 100th. Additional bars may be available. Visit this site often for updates.
100th Anniversary Events
It’s Time to Party Like It’s 2012! We’ve got big plans for even bigger celebrations and we can’t wait to showcase the incredible history of Girl Scouting and the amazing things Girl Scouts are doing today! Click here for details.
Forever Green Take Action Project
Girl Scouts Forever Green is a national take action project which encourages you to lead your family, school,
and community in improving the environment and protecting natural resources. As part of the Forever Green
project, GSCWM encourages you to join other Girl Scouts across central and western Massachusetts to replace
incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs. Don’t forget to participate in Earth Hour by turning lights off from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012. More details to come.
100th Anniversary Events
We have so many exciting plans and so many different ways to celebrate the 100th that we hope every Girl Scout in central and western Massachusetts will find a fun and exciting way to be part of this momentous anniversary!
Scroll through the calendar below or click here for details.
100 for the 100th Activities
Download the 100 Ways to Celebrate the 100th Anniversary flyer and see how many of the activites you can do during the 100th Anniversary year. Once you complete 10 activities, you are eligible to purchase a special "100 for the 100th" bar to place beneath your GSCWM 100th Anniversary patch.
Girl Scout Museum Patch Programs
Have fun learning more about the first 100 years of Girl Scout history and heritage. Discover the traditions of the past while celebrating the future. This is a two-part patch. You may earn either one or both patches.
Girl Scout Museum Patch
To earn the Girl Scout Museum Patch, you must visit a Girl Scout Museum. Be sure to make a reservation in advance of your visit.
Girl Scout History Patch
To earn the Girl Scout History Patch, you may borrow an Adventure Through Time Box and do activities that will help you discover what girls your age did in the past. Included will be a vintage handbook and uniform to help you connect with Girl Scouts of the past. You can take action by sharing what you find with the community around you. These activities can be done individually
or as a troop.
100 Years of Girl Scouting - 1912-2012! Displays - For the 100th Anniversary year, Girl Scouts may create a display for their community. For this year only, creating this display will make you eligible to purchase the Girl Scout History Patch.
Get your marching shoes ready! Who doesn’t love a parade? And what better way to showcase Girl Scouts and the 100th Anniversary to the public? We encourage you to join some of the area’s largest parades such as the Worcester Columbus Day and the Pittsfield Fourth of July parades, or the Worcester or Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day parades. Come back often for the latest parade information throughout the year. If YOU know of a parade that you would like to highlight, send us the details at 100@gscwm.org and we’ll help get the word out! Also be sure to send your photos to 100@gscwm.org to inspire others.
Loanable Information (banners, flags)
Wouldn’t it be great if you could borrow a flag or banner for an upcoming parade? Now you can! GSCWM flags and parade banners, along with stands and holsters, are available to borrow for all council service centers. All items are free of charge to borrow, however, you will be asked to pay a deposit of $25 upon pick-up to cover loss or damage to the item(s). When the item(s) are returned in good working order, your deposit will be returned. For more information, click here.
National Points of Interest
USPS Postage Stamp
How exciting! The new Girl Scout anniversary stamp has been announced - watch for it at a Post Office near you in 2012! From the official release . . . "The US Postal Service recently announced that it will salute the Girl Scouts in 2012 by commemorating the 100th anniversary of an organization credited with helping girls build character and leadership skills! The Celebrate Scouting Forever Stamp will be issued next year as part of the centennial celebration. "Celebrate Scouting," the 'sister' stamp to the 2010 Scouting stamp, pays tribute to scouting organizations for the opportunities and pleasures they have provided millions of youths worldwide," said Stephen Kearney, manager, Stamp Services.
Girl Scouts: A Celebration of 100 Trailblazing Years (Illustrated History Book)
To commemorate its 100th anniversary, Girl Scouts of the USA is launching a yearlong celebration that kicks off with this special look at its history. The organization has culled iconic photographs, documents, and letters from its vast archives that honor the unique sisterhood of Girl Scouts, some never before seen. Images include historical uniforms, memorabilia, and photographs with first ladies of the United States. Organized by decade, this book is the essential keepsake and gift for Girl Scouts members, alumnae, volunteers, and supporters. The book will be available through GSCWM stores when it becomes available.
Girl Scouts Forever Green is a national take action project which encourages you to lead your family, school,
and community in improving the environment and protecting natural resources. As part of the Forever Green
project, GSCWM encourages you to join other Girl Scouts across central and western Massachusetts to replace
incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient light bulbs. Don’t forget to participate in Earth Hour by turning lights off from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm on Saturday, March 31, 2012. More details to come. 
Girl Scout Museum Patch
Get your marching shoes ready! Who doesn’t love a parade? And what better way to showcase Girl Scouts and the 100th Anniversary to the public? We encourage you to join some of the area’s largest parades such as the Worcester Columbus Day and the Pittsfield Fourth of July parades, or the Worcester or Holyoke St. Patrick’s Day parades. Come back often for the latest parade information throughout the year. If YOU know of a parade that you would like to highlight, send us the details at 
USPS Postage Stamp
Girl Scouts: A Celebration of 100 Trailblazing Years (Illustrated History Book) 