Girl Scout Week in Review

The Girl Scout Week in Review

Newspaper articles about Girl Scouting was the way most people learned about Girl Scouting. The first notice of "Girl Scout Week" in newspapers was in 1919. It's purpose was to raise funds and membership. Through the years the focus changed to meet the needs of changing world and changing girls.

William G. McAdoo, ex-Secretary of the US Treasury was quote as saying " Now that woman has the vote it is increasing important that women have the best of training. The Girl Scouts need money, that the work of providing the best training for our future mothers and citizens be pushed forward. I urge the men of the United States to support the Girl Scouts."

In 1920 different Girl Scout communities held their "Girl Scout Week" at different times. Above the city of Hanover held theirs in March, below Ada held theirs in Novemeber.

Hanover lists the purporse of each day of the Girl Scout Week as well as giving the plot to the Girl Scout movie "The Golden Eagle (sic)."

By 1920 the Girl Scout Week was a well-oiled machine, starting on Monday, November 1st. The Girl Scouts were trying to raise $1,033,400 dollars "to take care of the thousands of girls whoe must now be turned away every month. The campaign is to be a Dollar Membership Campaign, and everybody who believes in training girls in homemaking, citizenship and health -building is asked to become an associate member."

The Girl Scout pageant was presented in 1920 and depicted a Girl Scout Week;

Monday - wash day

Tuesday - cook day

Wednesday - sew day

Thursday - community service day

Friday - camp and hiking day

Saturday - babysitting day

Sunday - church day

By 1922 the public relations office of the Girl Scouts was churning out ready to print photos of patriotic Girl Scouts doing Girl Scout things ready for any newspaper to pick up. The public relations work continued for years to come.