The Traditional 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 |
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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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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Mariner Girl Scout Pin |
World War II "Thin Pin"
image: Becky McCray |
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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Image: Altvaters
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Brownie 1937-1939
image: 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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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
switched to the five petal flower pendant in 1939. They switched
to the star pin in 1956.
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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 kindergarten, it is
now expanded to include 6 years old girls. Enameled design on
gold tone metal.
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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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 Current Brownie Pin |
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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.
See the "Evolution of the Traditional Girl Scout Membership Pin"
for more information
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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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