"I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight!"
Juliette Gordon Low (1860–1927), also affectionately known by her nickname “Daisy,” founded Girl Scouts of the USA in 1912. She imagined a movement where all girls could come together and embrace their unique strengths and passions—and as Girl Scouts has done since, she made that dream a reality.
Born Juliette Magill Kinzie Gordon on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia, Daisy was known for her sense of humor, compassion, and concern for others. She was interested in athletics, the arts, animals, and nature—elements that would one day become a big part of Girl Scouting. As a child and young adult, Daisy experienced several ear injuries, resulting in almost total hearing loss that affected her for the rest of her life.
She married William Mackay Low in 1886, and together they set up homes in both England and Georgia. Juliette returned often to the United States to connect with her many friends and family members—and to find support during an unhappy marriage that ended shortly before her husband’s death in 1905.
After meeting Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, Daisy became involved with the Girl Guide movement in 1911, establishing three troops in the UK. The following spring, she return to the United States to begin the organization we now know as Girl Scouts of the USA. Telephoning a cousin Nina Pape from her home, she announced, "I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight!"
From that first gathering of a small troop of 18 girls, Daisy broke the conventions of the time—reaching across class, cultural, and ethnic boundaries to ensure all girls had a place to develop their leadership skills, advocate for themselves and others, and turn their ambitions into reality.
Using her innate talent for fundraising and public relations, combined with her vast network of friends and supporters, she led Girl Scouts with passion and determination—ensuring it was, and always would be, an experience that was “girl-led.”
Juliette Gordon Low died January 17, 1927, at her home in Savannah, Georgia, after a long and private struggle with breast cancer.
After her death, Daisy’s friends honored her by establishing the Juliette Low World Friendship Fund, which powers international projects for Girl Scouts and Girl Guides around the world.
She is remembered nearly 100 years after her passing with camps, schools, and scholarships established in her honor. Other tributes include a postage stamp, numerous biographies, and even an opera about her life and achievements. She was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2012.
But most importantly, the vision of Juliette Gordon Low comes to life in every Girl Scout and Girl Scout alum who speaks up for what they believe in, leaves the world better than they found it, and blazes a trail of their very own.
Our Properties
Read on to learn about our properties and the amazing Girl Scouts and alumni they are named after!
Juliette Gordon Low
Founder of Girl Scouts.
Camp Low in Savannah is – of course – named after our founder Juliette Gordon Low. Girl Scouts purchased part of the island in 1950 and the remainder of the island in 1962. But the name “Rose Dhu” has been associated with the island for centuries. The island was under the control and ownership of the Houstoun family beginning in the mid-1700s through the late 1800s. Mr. Houstoun also owned significant property on the mainland that was known as Rossdue / Rossdhu (supposedly an old Gaelic term meaning “a high bluff overlooking a lowland”). The island was eventually known by that name as well, and that name gradually morphed into “Rose Dhu.”
