Inspiring Girls Around the World

Visiting the home of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of The Girl Scouts in Savannah (1912) was truly an inspiration. Although this woman never achieved her dreams of a loving marriage and a house full of children, she found her passion in helping girls around the globe to realize their own dreams.

She did this in many ways. They supported the war effort by raising money and saving food for soldiers during WW1, which contributed to the design of their uniforms; a cross between a soldier and a national park ranger. The girls hiked, camped, studied nature, built fires, and spun sheep's wool into thread. They were inspired to explore the world as they listened to Juliette's tales of her overseas travels.

​Juliette was an accomplished sculptor, painter and love to sketch portraits of loved ones. She taught these skills to her girls.

In time, her organization came to include girls with disabilities and those from different social classes and religions. At the Girl Scouts 100th Anniversary in 2012, Barack Obama awarded Juliette The Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously: "An artist, athlete, and trailblazer for America's daughters, Juliette Gordon Low founded an organization to teach young women self-reliance and resourcefulness. . . Americans of all backgrounds continue to draw inspiration from (her) remarkable vision, and we celebrate her dedication to empowering girls everywhere."

My favorite place in her childhood home, of course, was the library. Not only were the vintage books intriguing, but the wall design (image at the top of this post), the table display (above) and her writing desk (below) also spoke to her love of the written word, with communications of all sorts displayed inside.

But the bookshelves filled with books written by and for women were a sight to behold!

This is why travel is a passion of mine. I uncover so many heroes -- women and men, young and old, from all walks of life and periods of history. For more inspiration, visit my historical posts. Is there a favorite place you have visited in the past that has inspired you? 

Let me know in the comments below. . .