Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low founded the Girl Scouts of America one hundred years ago and though almost everyone has eaten a Girl Scout cookie (or a dozen) in their lifetime, many people know very little about the matriarch of this beloved organization. Born just prior to the Civil War, and unable to have children of her own, Juliette, known fondly to her family as Daisy, devoted much of her life to proclaiming that girls would benefit from, and deserved to have an active life, one that could be supported and nurtured by an organization such as the Boy Scouts after she met Robert Baden-Powell. Daisy came from a wealthy Southern family who weathered the Civil War making her self-reliant and independent. She was partially deaf after an ear infection was mistreated and married a scoundrel who brought her to the United Kingdom to live. Daisy never lost sight of her vision and preserved with a steadfastness that led to the creation of an organization that currently has over two million members and many more women who have been left with fond memories of their days in the Girl Scout, Brownie or Daisy troop. Girl Scouts past and present will enjoy the history of the organization’s founder, but readers who enjoy histories of strong, independent women will find much to admire in Daisy Low.
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