The
Traditional Logo Girl Scout pin was once called the Tenderfoot Pin. The symbolic
design of the pin, according to The Girl Scout Collector's Guide, is as follows:
"the eagle is a symbol of strength and victory and the shield on the eagle's
breast signifies self-reliance. In his talons, he clutches on his right an olive
branch, the symbol of peace and on his left a shaft of arrows, the symbol of
might. The eagle faces right, which is the position of honor, looking toward the
symbol of peace. The eagle and shield within the trefoil signify that Girl
Scouts stand ready to serve their country." The shape of the pin, a trefoil,
indicates the threefold promise.
3 Stars on Shield - no "G.S." pre-1918 |
3 Stars, 3 Stripes on Shield 1918-1920 |
3 Star, 4 Stripes 1920-1923 |
7 Star
1923-1934
The 7 Star pin in the standard size is rare, due to the short time it was
offered. However, the miniature version was
offered for a longer time and is not as rare.
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According to the Girl Scout Collector's Guide, during the
International Conference held at Macy's, this "W" pin was given out to
participants. The "W" is for world.
The close-up shows that the "W" wasn't simply stamped on
the shield, but that the shield isn't even there.
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Both images donated by Cheryl McGruff |
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Citizen/Senior Girl Scout Pin 1921-1929 |
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Image donated by Gail C. Schrader |
Citizen Scouts - older Girl Scouts, were committed to community
service, fulfilling the 8 hour a month requirement of service. The uniform
of the Citizen Scout at first, was a khaki armband, with troop crest and
red ribbon. Later various uniform changes were offered. Girls could
continue to earn badges, and wear badges earned previously. The blue
enameled pin was introduced in 1921 to match with the blue serge of the
current uniform. It was replaced by the green enameled pin in 1929.
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Senior Girl Scout Pin 1929-1938 |
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Image donated by Talli |
This pin was first offered
in 1929 for Senior Girl Scouts, replacing the blue enameled pin. It was
enameled green to better match the uniform.
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World
War II Era - "thin pin" issue |
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Image
donated by Becky McCray |
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World
War II Era "thin pin" Front |
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Image
donated by Becky McCray |
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World War II
called for conservation of almost all materials - paper, metal, sugar.
etc. Girl Scouting rose to the need in many ways. One such way was to have
the membership pin produced on thinner metal - leaving the backside with
the reverse impression of the pin. This is not to be confused with later
productions of the pin. My understanding from Girl Scout folklorists and
collectors is that if a magnet attaches to the pin - it's a WWII issue, if
not it's a later production. Girl Scouting also had the Mariner pin
changed to a flat rayon badge style briefly. No known examples have been
found - yet!
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Senior
Membership Pin 1938-1963
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First Design of the Brownie Membership Pin |
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1921-1937 |
Image donated by the Altvaters
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Brownie 1937-1939 |
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Image
donated by Talli |
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World War II metal saving Brownie pin |
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Image donated by Talli |
Part of the Girl
Scouts answer to the metal shortage of World War II was to change the
production of the Brownie membership pin temporarily. Using a solid piece
of metal, the pin could be made thinner, thus saving metal for the war
effort. Punching holes in the metal for the petals was not "official" -
they were supposed to be sewn on the uniform. Original cost - 10 cents.
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Older Brownie Pin with membership petals |
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Membership Petals
were used by Brownies, just as the green disc and star pin are used today
- to signify membership in the organization. Brownies
first had a bronze star, but swtiched to the five petal flower pendant in
1939. They switched to the star pin in 1956.
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Current Brownie Pin |
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Daisy Membership Pin 1984-1993 |
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The Daisy Girl
Scout program officially began in 1984 after many years of studying pilot
programs in several councils. Designed especially for 5 years old girls in
kintergarden, it is now expanded to include 6 years old girls. Enameled
design on goldtone metal.
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Daisy Membership Pin 1993-current |
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This
redesigned membership pin retains a vague trefoil outline with the stylistic
daisy design in the center. Presented in the fall of 1993, it is still in
use.
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There have no
official changes in the traditional membership pin since 1934 with 4 stars
on the shield. However small changes have been noticed.
Older pin: 11
outer feathers, large group of arrows
Newer pin: 9
outer feathers, smaller group of arrows
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Pin 1: smooth,
faces somewhat defined
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Pin 2: raised
edges, faces clearly defined
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Pin 3: Lettering
style different, faces not defined
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Vintage Girl Scout Online Museum 
