Girl Scouts Celebrate 100 Years

A birthday party was held at on Saturday, March 24, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Girls Scouts, which was founded by Juliette Gordon Low on March 12, 1912.

Since then, the organization has grown to 3.2 million girls and adults, 50 million alumnae and is the largest organization focused on girl leadership.

Leesburg parent Kristie Kehoe said she hopes it’s something her six-year-old daughter, Marissa Incatasciato, will be a part of for a very long time.

“I like exposing her to new things and I like having her meet some new friends while trying stuff that she normally wouldn’t try,” Kehoe said. Her daughter is currently a first year Daisy.

“I really like it,” Incatasciato said, while creating a beaded bracelet. “I want [my friends] to be with me and I want them to [try] the things I like.”

Field Director Diana Kane said there are at least 800 Girl Scouts in Leesburg out of the 1,200 that are located within Loudoun County.

“Girls Scouts help girls build courage and confidence and character. That’s sort of our theme,” Kane said. “We help to develop leadership skills, they do service projects, even when selling cookies it’s not just a fundraiser it’s a whole money-earning event.

"They set goals, figure out how they want to reach those goals, and how to raise money to get to the goals they want.”

Kane said it’s not often that people get to experience a 100th birthday. Crafts, face paintings and yummy treats were available to more than 100 guests who were in attendance. A play, which portrayed the life of Low, was also performed. 

“It’s just a real fun, exciting time,” Kane said. “It’s a big momentous occasion and we’re going to live it up while we can.”

The next big item on the Girl Scouts calendar is Rock the Mall, on June 9. Kane said over 200,000 scouts will participate in a sing along in Washington, D.C. A number of summer camps will also be kicking off. To learn more visit the Girl Scouts online.