A Magazine Exploring Indiana History IndianaThe Historian

“To inspire girls with the highest ideals of character, conduct, patriotism, and service so that they may become happy and resourceful citizens.” Mission statement, GSUSA, adopted 1990

Girl Scouting in Indiana March 12, 1997 is the eighty- Service to community is an+ fifth anniversary of the Girl Scouts important part of Girl Scouting, Focus founded by Juliette Gordon Low and some contributions girls have on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, made are surveyed on pages 10 Cover Illustration: The Crothersville, Georgia. This issue uses that and 11. Included is a transcrip- Jackson County, Indiana Girl Scout Troop at a homecoming picnic in Henryville, Clark occasion to call attention to the tion of a letter from Juliette Low to County in August, 1912. According to the importance of youth organizations an Indianapolis troop leader. identification on the picture, “The Henryville in studying and documenting the The role of Girl Scouting as a trip was a little historic excursion and history of children and childhood. training ground for girls and missionary tour in Scout work. . . . The Day closed with a Scout Entertainment at the High Our guest author, Noraleen A. women is covered on page 12 in School by the Brownstown and Crothersville Young is introduced below. the context of the early develop- Scouts.“ According to the Brownstown The front cover provides a ment of Girl Scouting in Indiana— Banner, July 10, 1912, these two troops— photograph of what may be the including a map of councils and called Red Cross Scouts—met in Crothersville first Girl Scout troop in Indiana. first known troops. on July 7 with the newly organized Red Cross Crusaders, “for the young people not The back cover photograph demon- As an example of the commit- in Scout work.” strates the interest of Girl Scouts in ment of Girl Scouts to diversity, Photograph from Indiana State Library, Indiana Division, Photographs. an historical event in 1929. the story of an African-American On page 3, there is a very troop in Indianapolis in 1921 is brief overview of the historical provided on page 13. context in which the Girls Scouts “Behind the Scenes” on page was founded. On pages 4 and 5, 14 provides an opportunity for our there is an introduction of Juliette guest author Noraleen Young to Low and Girl Scouting. talk about why historians should Pages 6 and 7 are devoted to study the Girl Scouts and other an examination of badges—the youth organizations. role they play and what historical “Selected Resources” are information we can learn from them. provided on page 15. Pages 8 and 9 contain infor- The Indiana Historian Sources: The basic source for the March 1997 mation about camping through information in this issue is Young. ISSN 1071-3301 The Girl Scouts of the United States Editor the years—perhaps the most Pamela J. Bennett familiar image of Girls Scouts, of America (GSUSA) Archives and the Lead Researcher Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council Paula A. Bongen besides the cookie sale, that many Archives have provided both informa- Designer Dani B. Pfaff people have of Girl Scouting. tion and materials. Contributing Editors Carole M. Allen, Janine Beckley, Alan Conant, Dani B. Pfaff, Virginia Terpening

The Indiana Historian provides re- sources and models for the study of local Our guest author history to encourage Indiana’s citizens of all ages to become engaged with the his- Noraleen A. Young has “always She completed her thesis titled tory of their communities and the state of loved history. I read many historical “The Girl Scout of Today, the Woman Indiana. The Indiana Historian (formerly The novels as a young person. I had a of Tomorrow”: Girl Scouting in Cen- Indiana Junior Historian) is issued quar- grandfather who loved history and tral Indiana, 1917-1992 and earned terly from September through June. It is a membership benefit of the Indi- loved to discuss it with his grand- her master’s degree in history from ana Junior Historical Society. One compli- daughter.” Indiana University, Indianapolis in mentary subscription is provided to Indi- ana libraries, school media centers, and From the University of Michi- 1992. cultural and historical organizations. gan, Ann Arbor, Young earned a After she completed her thesis, Annual subscriptions are available for $5.00 plus tax. Back issues are available bachelor’s degree in American History she became the volunteer council his- at individual and bulk pricing. and American Studies and a master’s torian for the Hoosier Capital Coun- This material is available to visually impaired patrons in audio format, cour- degree in Library Science, specializ- cil. When questions about the history tesy of the Indiana History Project of the of Girl Scouting in central Indiana Indiana Historical Society. Tapes are avail- ing in archives and manuscripts, the able through the Talking Books Program of source materials of history. She came arise, Young answers them. the Indiana State Library; contact the Talk- Young is now in business as a ing Books Program, 317-232-3702. to Indianapolis in 1984 to work at the The Indiana Historian is copyrighted. Indiana State Library, Indiana Divi- consulting historian. Find out more Educators may reproduce items for class about her on her Web page at http:// use, but no part of the publication may be sion, a collection of materials related reproduced in any way for profit without to every aspect of Indiana—people, www.trader.com/users/5010/5955/ written permission of the Indiana Histori- cal Bureau. places, and events. index.htm 2 The Indiana Historian, March 1997 + © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + Answers to change

At the end of the nineteenth century, American society was no longer based on an agricultural In 1927: economy. Increasing industrialization drew mothers, “. . . The interests of parents and children were fathers, girls, and boys from small farms to factories, never more divergent. The nineteenth century, with offices, and commercial ventures in cities. the development of the factory system, took the Rapid growth of these cities caused problems of work of the family out of the home. The twentieth overcrowding, poor health, unemployment, crime, century is rapidly doing the same thing to its play, and juvenile delinquency. Local governments were and breaking down the ties which have held the not able to solve these problems. Many people be- home together. . . . The heaviest strain of our came concerned about the loss of values and ideals unsettled modern life falls on the shoulders of the of the American pioneers and forefathers. young, especially on girls because of the changing Many American reformers, part of a national status of women today” (139-40). Girl Scouts and movement called “progressivism,” tried to solve the other youth organizations were cited as stabilizing problems of change with such efforts as a renewed factors for “the modern girl” (143). interest in religion, governmental reform, “back-to- From: Henriette R. Walter, Girl Life in America: A Study of Backgrounds (New nature” movement, and educational reform. York: The National Committee for the Study of Juvenile Reading, 1927). New ideas about education grew out of the first In 1957: scientific studies about child development. The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) had been “What resources, ideally, should a girl have in developing programs for boys since 1867. Educators order to grow successfully into the subtle and organized other groups for outdoor education for demanding role of adult womanhood? The boys. In the U.S., Ernest Thompson Seton and essentials would seem to be: a reasonable sense Daniel Charles Beard were leaders in these efforts. of self based on an accurate knowledge of her In Great Britain in 1908, Robert Baden-Powell own talents and interests, a positive view of and began a program called Boy Scouts. Baden-Powell’s identification with the feminine role, and enough program was adopted by the YMCA in the U.S., and sustaining values to permit her to adapt flexibly by October 1910, U.S. Boy Scouts had 2,500 scout- to adult womanhood—whether . . . marriage and masters in forty-four states, Puerto Rico, and the a family, or a career, or both” (2). Phillipines (Murray, 15). From: Adolescent Girls: a nation-wide study of girls between eleven and eighteen years of age ([Ann Arbor]: Survey Research Center, Institute for Social Research, Baden-Powell’s Boy Scouts led to the founding University of Michigan, [1957]). The study was commissioned by the GSUSA. in Great Britain in 1910 of the Girl Guides by his sister Agnes. In the U.S., YMCA and Boy Scouts leaders responded to American girls’ requests by establishing Campfire Girls in 1911. Luther Gulick, who along with others believed girls’ physical and You be the historian mental abilities were very different from boys’, devel- • Explore the history of youth organizations and agen- oped the program. cies. Juliette Gordon Low had other ideas. Her Girl • Have there been Girl Scout troops or other youth Scouts, established in 1912, moved beyond contem- organizations in your community? What have they porary views of girls and women and responded to contributed to the individuals involved and to the training girls for the roles of women. The roles and community? Talk with people of various ages about status of women have changed—although many roles these topics. have remained the same—over the years. Girl Scout • Investigate American society in the early twentieth programming has evolved to continue the ideals of its century, especially the “progressive” movement. founder to make girls into well-prepared citizens • Explore changes in perceptions of the roles of girls whatever roles they assume. and women up to the present day. Have there also been changes in perceptions about the roles of boys and men?

© Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + The Indiana Historian, March 1997 3 + Girl Scouting in history “If character training and learning citizenship are necessary for boys, how much more important it is that these principles should be instilled into the minds of girls who are destined to be the mothers and guides of the next generation. An attractive and practical form of active educational pastime is needed and for this

. purpose the Girl Scouts are organized.” Juliette Gordon Low (Foreword, 1913 Handbook, Hoxie, vii) frontispiece

Handbook, A self-portrait by Juliette Gordon Low, who was 1933 an accomplished artist.

Born in Savannah, Georgia in 1860, Juliette Gordon had been reared to be a wife and mother. She married William Low in 1886 and moved to his home in Great Britain. Her husband died in 1905; Photograph by Maurice G. Burnett. she had no children. Among her friends were Lord Robert Baden- Powell and his sister, Agnes, founders of Boy Scouts According to the caption for this photograph in the Indianapolis Star and Girl Guides in Great Britain. Low became inter- Magazine, June 20, 1948, “Mrs. Donald R. Berner explains navigation ested in Girl Guides and established troops when to Girl Scouts Barbara Bowman, Helen Eby and Elizabeth Haynes.” The story goes on to describe how veterans in Indiana of the Women’s Air she lived in London, England and Scotland. Force Service Pilots (WASPS) had begun to establish Wing Scout groups Low returned to Savannah and in March 1912 among senior Girl Scouts—five groups in Indianapolis and one in established the first American Girl Guide troop, Richmond. The Wing Scouts began as an official program of the GSUSA changing the name to Girl Scouts in 1913. To spread in 1942; the first manual was issued in 1945. Former members of the Women’s Air Corps (WACS) also helped with Wing Scout troops. the word of Girl Scouting, she relied on correspon- Another special opportunity was the Mariner Scout program. It was dence and her circle of friends. introduced in 1924 as Sea Scouts and became an official program of Low devoted her life and money to Girl Scouts GSUSA in 1934. in the U.S. and the international Girl Guides. She The Raintree Council has documented Mariner Troops in Boonville (1950s) and Evansville (1960s) and Senior Wing Scout Troop 19, circa died on January 17, 1927. Her family home in 1949 in Evansville (Raintree Council, 234, 235, 237). Savannah was restored and opened in 1956 as a Girl Both programs were integrated as special interest groups in the new Scouts national program center. senior program in 1963 (1963 Senior Handbook, 148-59, 176-85).

Ernest Thompson Seton Daniel C. Beard founds organizes the Tribe of Society of the Sons of Boy Scout Woodcraft Indians for Daniel Boone for boys, organization is Camp Fire Girls boys, promoting outdoor promoting sport, outdoor established in U.S. is established life, preservation, and recreation, woodcraft, and (Young, 9) in U.S. fellowship. preservation. (Young, 9)

Girl Scout Timeline (Murray, 16) (Murray, 18)

1902 1905 1910 1911

1897 c.1899 1906 1910 Indiana General Assembly passes Typical housewife New city of Gary Indiana has a higher comprehensive law spends six hours a is built by United proportion of child labor than prohibiting children under day on two tasks— States Steel Co. any other northern state the age of 14 from cooking and (Phillips, 364) except Ohio and Pennsylvania. working in manufacturing cleaning. (Phillips, 334) establishments. (Mintz and Kellogg, 90) Other Events in History (Phillips, 332-33) 4 The Indiana Historian, March 1997 + © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + The development of Girl Brownie program for girls ages 7-10 changing times and the perceived Scouting reflects many aspects of was officially recognized in the mid- needs of American girls from a the history of society over the years 1920s. study it had commissioned, 1955- since 1912. As a result of a U.S. Girl Scout 1957. The program was altered to The levels program study in 1935, a revision serve four Girl Scout age groups— and activities of age groups was introduced in Brownie (7-9, currently 6-9), Junior have 1938—Brownies (7-9), (9-11), Cadette (12-14), and Senior changed to Intermediates (10-13), (14-17). meet the and Seniors (14-17). In 1984, GSUSA extended its needs of girls In 1963, the GSUSA programming to kindergarten, or as society responded to rapidly age 5, with the Daisy Girl Scout. has changed. The uniforms mirror the changing fashions over the Green uniform decades. The cloth (1933 Handbook, 78). used has included cotton, Sanforized cotton, rayon, gabardine, and polyester blends as they became avail- Brownie uniform, able. Adult uni- 1927-1936 forms have been (GSUSA). designed by high fashion designers, Khaki uniform, circa 1914 including Indiana (GSUSA). Senior, Cadette, native Bill Blass in Junior, and 1984. Brownie uniforms (1963 Cadette Handbook, Juliette Gor- frontispiece). don Low introduced the program for girls ages 10-17, with three ranks. By 1925, girls over 18 or First Class Scouts over 16 became Brownie, known as Senior Scouts. Intermediate, and English leaders in 1914 Senior Scout Daisy Girl developed a program for younger uniforms Scout uniforms girls who followed their sisters to (1947 Handbook, 4). (GSUSA). Girl Guide meetings. In the U.S., a

March 12 October Girl Scout Timeline Juliette Gordon Low August February 10 The Rally, monthly organizes first Girl Crothersville and Girl Scout magazine for Girl Scout troop in Brownstown, trefoil design Scouts, begins Savannah, Georgia Indiana have Girl is patented. publication. with 18 members. Scout troops. (Highlights, 5) (Highlights, 6) (Highlights, 5) (see p. 2 of this issue)

1912 1912 1914 1917

1911 1912 1916 1917 Other Events in History March 10 Indiana University New Mexico and U.S. enters inaugurates state high Arizona become 1926 Indiana celebrates World War I. Handbook. school basketball the 47th and 48th 100th anniversary of (Carruth, 254) tournament with 12 states. statehood with parades

public high schools (Carruth, 245) GSUSA and pageants. participating. (Phillips, 361) (Phillips, 436) © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + The Indiana Historian, March 1997 5 + Badges, badges, badges

Girl Scout badges are some- “Her Badge stands for one way in which a Girl Scout thing more than pieces of fabric to has prepared herself to help others. The real badge put on a uniform, vest, or sash. test is the use a Girl Scout makes of it when Badge work helps girls learn skills opportunity comes” they can use in their lives. Each (Degenhardt and Kirsch, 258). badge has requirements that have to be met. When a girl completes the requirements, she is tested by Certain skills and knowledge have always been required her leader or by someone with for Girl Scouts. This card, special knowledge about the circa 1930s, shows the badge area. examination for a Second Throughout the years, Class Girl Scout. badges have reflected the expected roles of women. Badges also have given girls an opportunity to

explore areas that may not have Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council. been considered part of women’s traditional activities. In the chart on the next page are examples of badges offered over the years and some sample badge requirements. • Examine requirements given for each time period, making sure you know the meaning of all words. Can you meet the requirements? • Over time, what elements about the requirements for each badge are alike and what are different? Sources for p. 7: The • What do the badges and badge requirements are quoted requirements given tell us about from various versions of the changing role of women and Girl Scout handbooks as changes in technology? noted; an elipsis (three or • What might the numbers of top ten four dots) indicates words have been omitted; badges earned in each time period numbers of badges are tell us about participation in the from Degenhardt and Girl Scouts? Kirsch.

November 5 Rally magazine Indiana Governor becomes The James Goodrich October 5 GSUSA reports

American Girl, a issues proclamation Martha Selma Beck starts GSUSA 26.1% of troops magazine for all designating Girl first African-American are affiliated girls, not just Girl Scout week. troop in Indianapolis with churches. Scouts. (Indianapolis News, at School #17. (Walter, 79)

Girl Scout Timeline (Highlights, 6) November 5, 1920) (Young, 78)

1920 1920 1921 1926

1920 1920 1921 1922

U.S. census shows Indiana General Assembly U.S. Bureau of GSUSA Brownie pin, Indiana survey Indiana urban passes law requiring Education reports 1921-1937 shows 4,800 one- population larger children between the ages 175,031 one-room room schools still than rural population of 14 and 16 to complete schools across the in use. for the first time. 8th grade. country. (Phillips, 391) (Phillips, 363) (Phillips, 389-90n) (Walter, 32)

Other Events in History January 1921 6 The Indiana Historian, March 1997 + © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + 1913-1938 1938-1963 1963-1980 1980-1985 Top ten badges within each time frame (Notes: * Introduced 1922 / ** Introduced 1947 / *** Introduced 1953 ) Health Winner ...... 178,712 Cook ...... 2,973,738 Troop Camper ...... 5,069,531 First Aid ...... 872,560 Scholarship* ...... 168,622 Hostess ...... 1,703,537 Cook ...... 4,905,725 Troop Camper ...... 854,349 Cook ...... 156,256 Child Care ...... 1,605,861 Health Aide ...... 3,923,495 Child Care ...... 597,935 Housekeeper ...... 146,253 First Aid ...... 1,132,065 Hospitality ...... 3,763,353 Outdoor Fun ...... 566,012 Hostess ...... 145,629 Outdoor Cook ...... 1,079,358 Housekeeper ...... 3,577,577 Girl Scouting Everywhere ...... 491,104 First Aide ...... 144,610 Housekeeper ...... 1,065,896 Collector ...... 3,283,656 Outdoor Dabbler ...... 463,169 Needlewoman ...... 124,131 Camp Craft ...... 1,060,813 Backyard Fun ...... 3,064,664 Well Being Dabbler ...... 461,898 Home Nurse ...... 111,450 Sewing** ...... 1,013,444 Toymaker ...... 3,021,313 Wildlife ...... 450,435 Observer ...... 95,003 Good Grooming** ...... 1,001,650 Water Fun ...... 2,804,420 Math Whiz ...... 428,001 Citizen ...... 91,422 Adventurer*** ...... 929,389 Gypsy ...... 2,751,800 Tending Toddlers ...... 426,877

Some other badges (Total is the number of badges available.) Dairy Maid, Electrician, Laun- Bookbinding, Pottery, My Country, My Camera, World Neighbor, Individual Sports, Local Lore, dress, Automobiling, Business Public Health, World Knowledge, Creative Writer, Graphic Arts, Peoples of the U.S., Business Woman, Milliner, Scout Neighbor, Cyclist, Beekeeper, Farm Safety, Radio & Television, Traveler, Wise, Computer Fun, Ecology, Minstrel, Rambler (Total, 89) Storyteller (Total, 131) Player-Producer (Total, 112) Horse Lover (Total, 76)

Some badge requirements through the years Flyer: “Pass tests in knowledge of Aviation: “. . . Explain the four Aviation: “. . . Name major parts of Aerospace: “. . . Talk to some air currents, weather lore. Must major factors governing flight—lift, an airplane. Define functions of: older people in your community have made an aeroplane to fly 25 thrust, drag, gravity. . . . Know the fuselage, aileron, elevator, rudder, about what it was like to fly in the yards (or have a certificate for uses of the ailerons, elevators, and trim tabs, flaps, vertical stabilizer. first half of the 20th century. . . . driving an aeroplane), and some rudder of an aircraft; the uses of Identify a glider, helicopter, light Visit an airport, a control tower, a knowledge of engines” (Hoxie, the flaps of an airplane; and the single-engine and twin-engine space center, an aerospace 132). spoilers of a glider. . . . (1947, pp. airplane, seaplane, a turboprop museum, or a planetarium, or see 384-85). and turbojet two or four engine an air show. . . .” (Girl Scout transport. . . .” (1963 Cadette, 286). Badges, 1980, pp. 78-79).

Handy-Woman: “. . . Know how to Handywoman: “. . . Demonstrate Handywoman: “. . . Describe how, Ms. Fix-it: “. . . Find out what to do turn off the water or gas supply . . . . the best and safest ways to use when, and under what circum- [in] . . . the following emergencies: Clean, trim and fill an oil lamp . . . . and care for electric and mechani- stances utilities should be turned water won’t stop running . . . State how brooms, dry mops, cal appliances in your home, such off in your home. . . . Demonstrate something goes wrong with the hot dustpans, and brushes should be as iron, toaster, clock, percolator, the safe and correct way to use water heater . . . toilet gets clogged placed when not in use . . . (1926, carpet sweeper, meat grinder. . . . and care for four major appliances, . . . thermostat won’t shut off/turn p. 515). Learn how to read a gas, electric, such as stove, refrigerator, vacuum on furnace . . . smoke alarm or or water meter . . . (1947, p. 421). cleaner, washer, electric rotisserie, security system won’t shut off . . . dishwasher, dryer. . . .” (1963 gas is leaking . . .” (Girl Scout Cadette, [305]). Badges, 1980, pp. 96-97).

Matron Housekeeper: “Know how Housekeeper: “. . . Describe labor- Housekeeper: “. . . Check the plan Household Whiz: “ . . . Find out to use a vacuum cleaner. How to saving devices . . . preparations in your home for safe storage of how the changes in housekeeping stain and polish hardwood floors . . and supplies found in stores . . . . cleaning equipment and supplies. . . . have changed family life...... How to clean wire window Demonstrate cleaning of enam- Show how to use a broom, dust Conduct a safety check of your screens . . . . How to put away fur eled, aluminium, or stainless steel mop, vacuum cleaner. . . . Visit home. . . . Choose a vegetable or and flannels . . . . Know three ware . . . . Clean your refrigerator grocery stores to compare labels fruit that is sold in fresh, frozen, different cuts of meat . . . . Know or ice box . . . . If the refrigerator is on different food packages. Look and canned form. . . . Decide which season for chief fruits and run by electricity or gas, learn how for information on quantity, quality, is the most economical. . . . vegetables, fish and game. Know to defrost it and regulate the and price. . . .” (1963 Junior, 335). Explore the ways energy is used in how flour, sugar, rice, cereals and temperature. . . . (1947, pp. 424- your home. . . .” (Girl Scout vegetables are sold . . . (Hoxie, 134). 25). Badges, 1980, pp. 32-33). Girl Scout Timeline January 17 October 1 Juliette Gordon First Lady, Lou Henry Hoover Survey in Indiana shows that Low dies in gives greetings to Girl inadequate roads and bridges Savannah, Scouts at National Council hinder school attendance and Georgia. meeting in Indianapolis. school consolidation. (Highlights, 8) (Indianapolis Star, (Madison, Indiana, 190) October 1, 1930)

1927 1930 1935

1927 1929 1935 Other Events in History

May 21 Indianapolis survey of U.S. Social Security Act marks federal Lindberg completes children reveals that more government’s recognition of public first nonstop airplane than 50% attend movies responsibility for aged and dependent at least once a week. Americans. Indiana General Assembly flight across the 135th anniversary of the Tom Mix and Clara Bow passes most significant social welfare Atlantic from New Battle of Fallen Timbers. 50th anniversary of the York to Paris. are most popular stars. American Red Cross. reforms in state history in 1936. (Carruth, 272) (Madison, Indiana, 367) (Madison, Indiana, 118) © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + The Indiana Historian, March 1997 7 + Around the campfire

The Family of Selma Beck Harry and Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council. Camping has been from the beginning a central part of the Girl Scout experience. In 1910, the idea of girls camping was considered unusual. Women were just beginning to break out of the traditional boundaries of the home. Women were not expected to participate in athletic or hard physical activities. Juliette Low, like others partici- pating in the development of youth organizations, believed that outdoor activities were good for developing healthy citizens. For troops, the first activity Members of Selma Beck’s Troop 6, School 17, Indianapolis, cook Teepee was often a hike to a local park at a campfire on an outing, circa 1921 (see p. 13). and overnight camping. As the number of troops grew in a com- outdoor skills. Often there was a established day camps. During munity, the leaders’ association cook, but girls were required to World War II, day camps helped (later the council) developed help out in the kitchen. parents working in the war-time camping facilities. Councils bor- During the 1930s, camping factories by providing safe places rowed land, used Boy Scout was expanded to include winter for girls. camps, or went to an Indiana camping in heated buildings. Staff Beginning in the 1950s, State Park. Often a friend of the hired by the Works Progress Ad- GSUSA started national Round- council would donate land or ministration helped the girls with Ups—special camps held once money for a campground. In special skills such as folk dancing. every three years at a spot in the Indiana, Whiting, Fort Wayne, Camping during the years of U.S. Girls from all over the coun- Terre Haute, Evansville, Rich- World War II often meant girls had try attended. mond, Hammond, and Muncie to find creative ways to get to Throughout the years, Girl opened campgrounds between campgrounds. Gasoline was Scouting has focused on the 1924 and 1935. rationed, so girls caught busses or environment. In the 1970s and The camping experience trains to the closest stops to the 1980s, this emphasis was rein- during this period included class campgrounds and then hiked the forced with minimal impact camp- topics, such as nature study, first rest of the way. During the 1930s ing, in which girls disturbed aid, knots and lashing, and other and 1940s, Girl Scouts also nature as little as possible.

Indianapolis Girl Scouts First nationally franchised greet First Lady Eleanor Girl Scout cookie sale. Roosevelt during her (Highlights, 10) Girl Scouts revise program to visit to the city. three age levels—Brownies, (Indianapolis Star, Intermediates, and Seniors. June 17, 1936) (Highlights, 10) Girl Scout Timeline

1936 1936 1938

1938 1939 150th anniversary in 1937 of the Ordinance of 1787 and the organization of the Northwest Territory. The most popular magazine selling in a Brookston, Indiana Disney’s Snow White and the Seven drugstore is True Story. McCalls Dwarfs is top money maker, but movie and Saturday Evening Post are attendance is down 40%. also popular magazines. (Carruth, 293) (Madison, 351) Other Events in History 8 The Indiana Historian, March 1997 + © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 +

Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council. Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council.

Unit of Lebanon Girl Scouts in 1950 at McCormick’s Creek State Park. Cooking over an open fire at Camp Gallahue, Brown County, 1989.

“I can’t get them up!” You be the historian “Topsy” Bayer (later Mrs. Joseph Butcher) • Talk with senior citizens, par- donated this picture of herself and this ents, and other students. How schedule for a typical camp day in the 1920s, regulated by her as the bugler. have camping gear and activities 7:00 a.m. Reveille, “I can’t get them up” changed? Stayed the same? Com- 7:25 First Call for Colors (flag ceremony) pare the photographs here of Girl 7:30 Assembly for Colors, Colors 7:55 First Call for Breakfast Scouts camping. 8:00 Breakfast, “Soupee, Soupee, Soupee” • Explore the subject of camping 9:00-10:00 Assembly outside each unit to announce inspection and the environment. Why have 10:30 Assembly for Classes ideas changed? 11:00 Assembly for Classes 11:55 First call for Dinner 12:00 Dinner 1:00 p.m. Assembly for Rest Hour 2:00 Assembly for Classes 3:00 Assembly for Classes 4:00 Swimming 5:25 First Call for Retreat (Closing Flag Ceremony) 5:30 Retreat 6:00 Supper 7:25 First Call for Campfire 7:30 Campfire 8:30 Tattoo 9:00 Taps, “Day is Done” Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council.

Mrs. Douglas MacArthur Girl Scout Timeline Ox Hollow near gives permission for May Cannelton, Indiana is now Huntington, Indiana troop Girl Scouts of the U.S.A. a Girl Scout camp. to be named for her. publishes Senior Girl (Indianapolis Star, (Indianapolis Star, Scouting in Wartime. July 26, 1942) September 20, 1942). (Highlights, 11)

1942 1942 1943

1940 1941 1942 1943 1943 Other Events in History Number of Hoosier The first 37% of Indiana U.S. enters December women in the workforce woman is farms have tractors, World War II. Poll shows 44% of U.S. increases 22% from elected to up from 4% in 1920 (Carruth, 299) high school students are January to October the Indiana and 22% in 1930. critical of, confused by, or due to war-related State (Madison, Indiana, 155) indifferent toward the war. labor shortage. Senate. (Indianapolis Star, Issued July 4, 1942. (Madison, Indiana, 389) (Madison, December 8, 1942) Indiana, 37) © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + The Indiana Historian, March 1997 9 + Service to community

A central theme of Girl Continuing the Scouting has always been service. tradition of Girls are encouraged to help service, the Junior Girl within their families and in their Scout Troops schools and communities. Histori- 357, 610, and cal events of the twentieth century 732 of the Pike- have had an impact on how Girl Zionsville neighborhood Scouts served their communities. made cookies Many Girl Scout troops and candy organized during World War I circa 1960s for Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council. (1914-1919). Before the U.S. the U.S. Marines in entered the war in 1917, troops Vietnam. collected clothes for children in war-torn Europe. After the U.S. entered the war, Girl Scouts rolled bandages, knitted socks, and sold war bonds. work with the Red Cross, for help their communities in various During the Great Depression example, in the Medical Division, ways. In 1952, Girl Scouts in the (1929-1941), Girl Scouts helped in the Radio Division, in the Gary area participated in a voters’ needy families by collecting items clothing section, and caring for aid contest conducted by GSUSA. for food baskets. Girls could also younger children. Gary Girl Scouts were credited attend Saturday matinees at the World War II (1939-1945) with the largest number of service local movie theater by bringing provided Girl Scouts other oppor- hours given to their community of potatoes, onions, or fruit, which tunities to volunteer. Before the U.S. any other council in the country. were then given to soup kitchens entered the war in 1941, troops in Girls went house-to-house to and needy families. Indianapolis raised funds to buy encourage people to register, Sometimes a disaster would mattresses for children in baby-sat so parents could vote, spur local Girl Scouts into action. England. After 1941, older Girl and distributed sample ballots. In January 1937, a combination of Scouts watched younger children During the 1970s, with a heavy rains, snow, and ice on the while their mothers worked. greater emphasis on the environ- Ohio, Wabash, and White rivers Troops in Indianapolis pledged to ment, many troops participated in caused severe flooding. In the supply cookies to the cleaning up their neighborhoods. Evansville area, thousands of Servicemen’s Center each week—a Girl Scouts around the Terre people were evacuated from their real sacrifice because sugar and Haute area raised funds to save homes. At least 100 Girl Scout butter were rationed. the Irishman Covered Bridge. volunteers performed invaluable Girl Scouts have continued to

October 19 Juliette Gordon Indiana Wing Scouts Segregation is outlawed March 18 Low Birthplace is to be taught by ex- in Indiana schools. Lady Baden- dedicated as a WASPS. Girl Scouts integrate Powell visits national Girl Scout (Indianapolis Star Indianapolis day camp. Evansville. program center. Magazine, June 20, 1948) (Young, 84-86) (Raintree Council, 55) (Highlights, 14) Girl Scout Timeline

1948 1949 1952 1956

1954 1959 May 17 Racial segregation in public schools is declared Issued October unconstitutional by U.S. 50th anniversary of the 29, 1948 at Supreme Court in Brown Alaska and Hawaii become founding of Boy Scouts Savannah, v. Board of Education. 49th and 50th states. of America. Georgia. (Carruth, 331) (Carruth, 343) Other Events in History 10 The Indiana Historian, March 1997 + © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + A letter from Juliette Gordon Low In the early years of Girl Scouting, local leaders often wrote in 1917, wrote about getting pen pals for her girls. Juliette the national office for suggestions on activities for the troop. Low replied with some suggestions. The letter has been Anna Ridge, who established the first troop in Indianapolis transcribed line for line.

P.S. please address your reply to my home and she could give the Girls Scout some very address Lafayette Square Savannah Georgia interesting information, if questions were asked the March 9th 1918. Guide, such as Have you ever been in a Zeppelin Dear Mrs Ridge raid? Enclosed letters will explain why there Have you a father or brothers in the Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council. will be a delay in giving each Girl Scout the address war or in a munition factory? of some Girl Guide with whom she can correspond. Have you worked at a munifactory yrself? During this war, As all English Girl Guides are very Did you know of any ones’s house or of hardworked & are leading sad lives, it will be of any friends house struck by anti air great value if each Girl Scout should first write craft guns or by a Zeppelin bomb? a letter instead of simply sending her name & Have you helped at a Canteen, what is address. the things she could tell an English girl a Canteen, do you go right up to a are—: What she does at the Girl Scout meeting? soldier at a Canteen & speak to him Where she goes when they are having a hike? whether you have ever known him before describe the hike? or whether he is a stranger? Does she go to camp in Summer? Of course these questions are only suggestions your Is she trying for a war badge? Girl Scouts may wish to know about other things Have her troup done Red Cross or garden work? “over there” but in any case a personal letter Has she helped entertain at a Soldiers Concert? will create more interest than if a Girl Scout These things & indeed any of the activities of simply sent her name & address. Girl Scout life would interest the English [. . .] If you will please read the letter aloud to your girls I will be much obliged & if you will also [end of page 1] send the enclosed letters to girls who were absent when you read my letter to the whole troop Yrs Sincerely Juliette Low President Left: Reproduction of the top of page 1 of Juliette Low’s letter which is transcribed in full above.

You be the historian Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council. • What have Girl Scouts—or other youth organizations— done to make your community a better place in which to live?

Mrs. Merrill Deer Girl Scout Timeline March 12 establishes a Girl Scouts New Girl Scout program includes Brownie troop for New wording for celebrates 50th Brownies, Juniors, children of migrant Senior Scout National Conference on the inner Girl Scout Promise and Girl anniversary. Cadettes, and Seniors. farm workers. city is held at Marian College in Indianapolis. Scout Law is approved. (Highlights, 15) (Highlights, 15) (Franklin Daily Journal, (Indianapolis News, August 8, 1967) (Highlights, 18) January 26, 1965)

1962 1963 1964 1967 1972 Other Events in History 50th anniversary 1969 1971 of the founding of Indiana is one of first Girl Scouts. states to pass environ- Neil Armstrong walks mental legislation on the moon. limiting the amount of (Carruth, 391) phosphorus in detergents. (Madison, Indiana Way, 283) © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + The Indiana Historian, March 1997 11 + A training ground

Girl Scouts is a large organization—2.5 million girls and over 700,000 adults in the U.S. Most of the work is done by volunteers, within an organizational structure established to help train those volunteers and provide worthwhile activities for girls. Early troops organized as individual units. Early Often a mother or other interested woman would Girl start the troop out of the local school or church. Scouts When the leader left, Girl Scouting often disappeared until another troop started. in Troop leaders often formed an association to Indiana share ideas. The leaders’ association then sought “council” designation. A council was officially char- tered by the national organization to represent Girl Scouting in the community. Whiting, Indiana received the first council charter in Indiana in 1920. Indianapolis followed in 1921. By the 1930s, Fort Wayne, Evansville, Gary, Terre Haute, and Richmond had councils. By the 1940s, there were many Girl Scout councils in Indiana. In the late 1950s, councils were combined “Under the Green Umbrella.” These larger groupings were to enable councils to offer better camping

Note: This programs and better training for leaders. map has been Volunteers have remained important to Girl compiled from information Scouting. Most councils have a small paid staff to supplied by councils manage the camping facilities and provide training. to Young. Volunteers still lead the troops. Women have generally led the organization. Women also have gained valuable experience in Current councils leadership and provided role models for girls. Many 1 Calumet Council 9 Hoosier Capital Council 1935 indicates of Indiana and Illinois 10 Covered Bridge Council girls and women have used the skills from Girl first known 2 Drifting Dunes Council 11 Tulip Trace Council troop 3 Singing Sands Council 12 Treaty Line Council Scouting in careers and work in other areas in their C1935 indicates 4 Indiana Lakeland Council 13 Raintree Council formation 5 Limberlost Council 14 Kentuckiana Council communities. of council 6 Sycamore Council 15 Great Rivers Council 7 Tribal Trails Council 16 Shagbark Council 8 Wapehani Council

Columbus, Indiana Irwin- Famous manage- December Sweeney-Miller Foundation funds October July ment consultant Girl Scouts of the pilot project linking Girl Scout Redesigned American Girl Peter F. Drucker U.S.A. makes last councils in 8 states to provide trefoil is magazine ceases conducts seminars mortgage payment on services to girls in Mexican introduced. publication. for Girl Scout council headquarters building in migrant worker families. (Highlights, 19) (Highlights, 20) presidents. New York City.

Girl Scout Timeline (Williams, 33-34) (Highlights, 20) (Highlights, 21)

1974 1978 1979 1980 1983

1974 1981 1983

Richard Nixon September June 18-24 resigns from office Sandra Day O’Connor, Sally Ride becomes first as President confirmed by U.S. Senate, U.S. woman in space of the U.S. is 1st female U.S. aboard Challenger's (Carruth, 413) Supreme Court justice. second mission. (Carruth, 443) (Carruth, 453) Other Events in History 12 The Indiana Historian, March 1997 + © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + Addressing diversity

Juliette Low included as one school. Support of the ten Girl Scout Laws: “A Girl came from both Scout Is a Friend to All, and a Principal George Sister to every Other Girl Scout no L. Hayes, and Matter to what Social Class she his wife. The May Belong” (Hoxie, 5). girls provided Girl Scouting was aimed at first aid and all girls, but existing social atti- assisted with tudes shaped the development of fire drills in the The Family of Selma Beck Harry and scouting among girls of color. It school. During Girl Scouts of Hoosier Capital Council. was not until the early 1950s that Girl Scout Week many campgrounds and troops in 1921, they were integrated. participated in An experience in Indiana can city-wide Scout be documented by items provided events. To pay to Hoosier Capital Council by for registration Selma Beck demonstrates Selma Beck in hiking gear descendants of an early African- fees, activities, proper signaling, 1921. 1921.The troop disbanded American Girl Scout leader. and uniforms, Signaling with two flags in when Selma Beck married Mary Phinney, first executive girls sold cook- semaphore code was a George Harry in 1923. The director of the Marion County ies made in requirement to be a First Class original members of Troop 6 Scout and one of the original met many years later at council, visited local schools to their Domestic proficiency badges in the several reunions. Selma Beck explain the Girl Scout program. Science class. 1913 handbook. Flag Harry’s daughter, She spoke at School 17, an Afri- Troop 6 positions were set to indicate granddaughter, and great- can-American school located on worked on letters of the alphabet. granddaughter also became Girl Scouts. the near-west-side of Indianapolis. community Martha Selma Beck, an service projects African-American math teacher at within the neighborhood and for The girls went to movies at the School 17, started Troop 6 on city-wide agencies. The girls Indiana Theater in the Madame October 4, 1921. Members went visited the Alpha Home for the Walker Building. In October 1923, on their first hike on October 12, Aged Colored at Christmas. They Beck took the girls to hear John traveling from Riverside Park to put stickers advertising Red Cross Philip Sousa and his band. They Fairview. Fifteen girls passed Christmas seals on car wind- attended Camp Ada-Boy-Holliday, Tenderfoot tests, conducted by shields at a local filling station. the council’s camping facility at Phinney, in December 1921. The troop worked at a Health College Avenue and 75th Street. Many of the activities of Exposition at the Indiana State See also: Lillian S. Williams, A Bridge to Troop 6 revolved around the Fair Grounds. the Future: The History of Diversity in Girl Scouting. New York: GSUSA, 1996.

Girl Scouts Minority March 12 GSUSA World Wide Girl Scout Timeline introduces Daisy membership March 12 Good Housekeep- Web site appears Girl Scouts for 5 in Girl Scouts Girl Scouts ing presents its first GSUSA introduces low-fat on the Internet at year olds. raises to 14%. celebrates 75th Seal of Community and no-fat cookies http://www.gsusa.org/ (Highlights, 21) (Highlights, 21) anniversary. Service to GSUSA. for the first time. index.html (Highlights, 22) (Highlights Update) (Highlights Update) (Highlights Update)

1984 1985 1987 1993 1995 1996

1985 Other Events in History

GSUSA September 1 Wreck of the luxury liner Titanic which sank in 1912 is found by a U.S.-French team. (Carruth, 460) GSUSA

© Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + The Indiana Historian, March 1997 13 + “Behind the scenes” presents some aspect of how the Bureau staff produces each issue of the magazine. The focus may be, for example, the research process, an interpretation problem, etc. It also Behind the scenes enables us to thank our partners and demonstrate that research is a collaboration with often unexpected twists and turns.

I was a Girl Scout and had study. Young many great experiences. When I people rarely leave moved to Indianapolis in 1984 for documents or my first job as a special librarian, other records I wanted to help the organization behind. Studying that had given me so much. I youth organiza- became a Girl Scout leader and let tions like Girl Indiana Historical Bureau. the Hoosier Capital Council know Scouts helps us I was interested in helping during learn about the 75th anniversary celebration children’s activi- of Girl Scouting on March 12, ties. 1987. My thesis Working with the local coun- research focused cil during the 75th anniversary on Girl Scouting allowed me to express my love of in the central history and my desire to make Indiana area. I history interesting and fun. I used the minutes worked on a fashion show of old and publications Girl Scout uniforms and re- of the Girl Scouts searched a script which included of Hoosier Capital Noraleen A. Young works on Girl Scout historical facts about Girl Scout- Council. I looked history in the Indiana State Library. ing in the Indianapolis area. at city newspa- During this time I went back pers for stories to school to earn a master’s degree about the organization. I also read graph collections, and collections in history and decided that the about what children were doing in of handbooks and uniforms. I have Girl Scouts seemed to be a perfect the past. Because this was an also put together circulating kits thesis project for me. organization about girls and containing old uniforms and It is important for any organi- women, I also did research on handbooks. Using these resources, zation to know its past. Members women and their activities during I hope that Girl Scouts can get a need to know how their organiza- the time period I studied. real sense of what the past was tion got to the current point in This research helped me to like—and learn the fun and value time. How did it get started? How answer questions about how Girl of history. has it changed? What has stayed Scouts maintained traditional roles the same? Were there problems? of women in American society but What forces shaped the organiza- also expanded what was possible tion: the members, the commu- for women. Girl Scouts, for ex- Thank you nity, society? ample, helped make it acceptable The following councils provided materials for Historians have often ignored for girls and women to go camping this issue: organizations like Girl Scouts, in and hiking and do other physical Indiana Lakeland Council (Goshen) part because they are female activities. Covered Bridge Council (Terre Haute) Tulip Trace Council (Bloomington) organizations. Only in recent My history of the council has Sycamore Girl Scout Council (Lafayette) years have historians generally been used by new staff members to Limberlost Girl Scout Council (Fort Wayne) begun to look at the history of learn about the council and by the Girl Scouts of Singing Sands Council women in American society. board of directors to plan for the (Granger) Tribal Trails Council (Logansport) I was also intrigued with the future by looking at where the Drifting Dunes Council (Valparaiso) history of children’s activities. council has been. The archives of the Girl Scouts of Hoosier This area has also been ignored. As the historian for the Hoo- Capital Council has been invaluable. Children have rarely left the sier Capital Council, I have orga- GSUSA has been most generous in ap- source material for historians to nized the council archives, photo- proving use of its material. 14 The Indiana Historian, March 1997 + © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 A+ note regarding resources: Items are listed on this page that enhance work with the topic discussed. Some older items, especially, may include dated practices and ideas that are no longer generally accepted. Resources reflecting current practices are noted whenever possible. Bibliography includes items cited in the issue. Selected resources

Bibliography Indiana, 1917-1992. M.A. thesis, ners, 1870-1920. Madison, WI: • Carruth, Gorton. What Happened Department of History, Indiana University of Wisconsin Press, 1983. When. New York: Harper & Row, University, 1992. Suggested reading Publishers, 1989. Other Girl Scout materials • Cohen, Ronald D. “Child Saving • Degenhardt, Mary, and Judith See also pages 13, 14. and Progressivism, 1885-1915,” in Kirsch. Girl Scout Collector’s Guide. • Breneman, Edie, and Leah Joseph M. Hawes and N. Ray Hiner, Lombard, IL: Wallace-Homestead Stallings. Covered Bridge Girl Scout eds., American Childhood: A Re- Book Co., 1987. History. [Terre Haute: Covered search Guide and Historical Hand- • Girl Scout handbooks, various, Bridge Girl Scout Council, 1987.] book, 273-310. Westport, CT: 1920-1992. • Howard, Jane, “For Juliette Greenwood Press, 1985. • Highlights in Girl Scouting, 1912- Gordon Low’s girls, a sparkling • Hawes, Joseph M. “The Strange 1991. New York: Girl Scouts of the Diamond Jubilee,” Smithsonian, History of Female Adolescence in U.S.A., [1992]. October 1987, pp. 46-55. the United States,” The Journal of • Hoxie, W. J. How Girls Can Help • Low, Juliette. “Girl Scouts as an Psychohistory (Summer 1985), 13: Their Country: The 1913 Handbook Educational Force,” Bulletin 33, 51-63. for Girl Scouts. Reprint, New York: Department of the Interior, Bureau Selected student resources Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1972. of Education. Washington D.C.: • Behrens, June. Juliette Low: • Madison, James H. Indiana Government Printing Office, 1919. Founder of the Girl Scouts of through Tradition and Change . . . • Rothschild, Mary Aiken. “To America. Chicago: Childrens Press, 1920-1945. Indianapolis: Indiana Scout or To Guide?: The Girl Scout- 1988. Historical Society, 1982. Boy Scout Controversy, 1912- An easy to read biography with • Madison, James H. The Indiana 1942,” Frontiers 6 (1982): 115-21. interesting photographs. Way. Indianapolis: Indiana Univer- • Schultz, Gladys Denny, and • Brown, Fern G. Daisy and the sity Press and Indiana Historical Lawrence Daisy Gordon. Lady from Girl Scouts: The Story of Juliette Society, 1986. Savannah: The Life of Juliette Low. Gordon Low. Morton Grove, IL: • Mintz, Steven, and Susan New York: Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Albert Whitman & Company, 1996. Kellogg. Domestic Revolutions: A 1958, reprint 1988. A comprehensive biography for Social History of American Family • 75 Years of Girl Scouting. New intermediate readers. Includes Life. New York: The Free Press, 1988. York: Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., 1986. historic photographs and an index. • Murray, William D. The History of • Strickland, Charles E. “Juliette • Kudlinski, Kathleen V. Juliette the Boy Scouts of America. New Low, the Girl Scouts, and the Role Gordon Low: America’s First Girl York: Boy Scouts of America, 1937. of American Women,” in Mary Kelly, Scout. New York: Viking Kestrel, • Phillips, Clifton J. Indiana in ed., Woman’s Being, Woman’s 1988. Transition . . . 1880-1920. India- Place: Female Identity and Vocation A brief biography. napolis: Indiana Historical Bureau in American History (Boston: G. K. • Trefoil Round the World. London: and Indiana Historical Society, 1968. Hall, 1979), 251-64. World Association of Girl Guides and • Raintree Council History Com- • Wright, Katherine O. Girl Scout- Girl Scouts, ninth edition 1992. mittee. Yesterday and Today. ing in the Great Lakes Region. Excellent overview arranged in Evansville: Raintree Girl Scout Chicago, IL: Girl Scouts, Inc., 1938. alphabetical order according to Council, 1987. Other youth organizations country. Text available in English • Walter, Henriette R. Girl Life in • Buckler, Helen, Mary F. Fielder, and language of the country de- America: A Study of Backgrounds. and Martha F. Allen. WO-HE-LO: scribed. New York: The National Committee The Story of the Camp Fire Girls, • World Games and Recipes. for the Study of Juvenile Reading, 1910-1960. New York: Holt, London: World Association of Girl 1927. Rinehart and Winston, 1961. Guides and Girl Scouts, 1979, • Young, Noraleen Ann. “The Girl • Macleod, David. Building Charac- reprint 1988. Scout of Today, the Woman of ter in the American Boy: The Boy A Girl Scout collection. Tomorrow”: Girl Scouting in Central Scouts, YMCA, and Their Forerun-

© Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997 + The Indiana Historian, March 1997 15 +

Indiana Historical Bureau 140 North Senate Avenue • Room 408 • Indianapolis, Indiana • 46204-2296 • 317-232-2535 • TDD 317-232-7763

On June 21, 1929, Girl Scouts participated in the dedication of a marker for the Clark Grant in New Albany, Floyd County. The event was part of the 1929 annual pilgrimage of the Society of Indiana Pioneers and the Indiana Historical Society. A group of 149 people in four Indiana State Library, Division, Photographs. busses (visible in the background) and twenty-four private cars then traveled into Kentucky visiting historic sites (Indiana History Bulletin, July 1929, pp. 182, 199).

16 The Indiana Historian, March 1997 + © Copyright Indiana Historical Bureau 1997