Our History
A Century of Girl Scouting in Miami and the Keys
The year was 1912 and a determined and courageous woman had an idea that would change the course of history. The idea was simple: What would happen if girls believed that they could do anything? Juliette Gordon Low wanted to find out and founded the Girl Scouts with a small troop of 18 girls in Savannah, Georgia.
Going against the grain at the time, she wanted to ensure that all girls, regardless of class, cultural, and ethnic boundaries, had a place to develop their skills, grow their self-confidence, and turn their dreams into reality. The idea resonated with girls and became a movement as new troops were formed across the U.S. On June 14, 1923, the movement officially reached Miami-Dade County.
On June 14, 1923, the movement officially reached Miami-Dade County when Mildred Emerson, A.E. Ozanne and Lillian B. Justinson founded Alligator Troop 1 in Coconut Grove. As more and more troops popped up, it was clear a central organization was needed to help organize and grow the Girl Scout movement in the county.
In 1929, Judge Edith M. Atkinson founded the Girl Scout Council of Dade County. On August 1, 1963 the Girl Scout Council of Dade County merged with the Florida Keys Girl Scout Council, Inc. becoming the Girl Scouts Council of Tropical Florida, Inc.
The council has served more than half a million girls since 1923 in the diverse and vibrant South Florida community. Today, the Girl Scouts Council of Tropical Florida, Inc. aims to ensure that Juliette’s idea—that girls can do anything—continues to empower girls in South Florida. Forming a lasting impact on the community and environment, the Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida are working to create strong, socially conscious leaders that make the world a better place, one girl at a time.
During our centennial year in 2023, we created a traveling exhibit chronicling our history, displayed at HistoryMiami and Miami-Dade Public Libraries. Tune in to hear an introduction to the exhibition from the Girl Scouts and learn more about their experiences.
Our Timeline
1920s: From Savannah to South Florida 
1930s: Brownies and Cookies
1940s: The Beginnings of Camp Mahachee
1950s: S’more Campsites for Girl Scouts
1960s: Widening Horizons Together
1970s: Awareness, Appreciation, and Community
1980s: Pioneering New Paths
1990s: Making a difference
2000s: Golden Cookies and Scouts
2010s and Beyond: Continuing A Legacy
