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 toggle arrow

On my honor, I will try to serve God* and my Country, to help people at all times, and to live by the Girl Scout Law.

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Alligator Troop 1 connected the Girl Scout movement to South Alligator Troop 1 connected the Girl Scout movement to South Florida in 1923. One year later, eight Girl Scout troops were officially recognized. In 1929 when Judge Edith M. Atkinson founded the local Girl Scout council to continue to grow the movement, she worked alongside Katherine Park, the former Director of the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, GA.

Dedicated to the service of their community, the Girl Scouts help others in the event of large disasters. In 1918, Juliette Gordon Low mobilized Girl Scout troops to help in food kitchens during the worldwide flu pandemic. Rumor has it she even came to Miami herself to help.

Learning from this example, in 1926 after the Great Miami Hurricane, the Girl Scouts put training into action with their relief work. They did everything from childcare and serving their relief work. They did everything from childcare and serving food to making bandages and delivering messages and clothing.

*Members today may substitute for the word God in accordance with their own spiritual beliefs.

1930s: Brownies and Cookies toggle arrow

I will do my best to be honest and fair.

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In April 1932, the Girl Scout Council of Dade County launched a campaign to recruit young women as Brownie pack leaders, expanding Girl Scout offerings to girls as young as seven. Kathryn Francis, national Brownie advisor, came to inspire the group at a local conference.

In 1934, the first annual Girl Scout Cookie Sale was held in Miami. A staple of the Girl Scouts program, cookie sales teach girls leadership and business skills while having fun. After raising over $400 ( ~$8,500 today) from sales, girls received summer camp scholarships to attend unique and immersive experiences.

Florence Lucille (Foisy) Birch was a Girl Scout at St. Theresa’s school in Coral Gables in the late 1930s where she would learn about social graces at troop meetings led by her mother. Cookie sales from her troop allowed girls to camp at local sites. Those memorable experiences inspired her daughter Mary to be a Girl Scout in the 1960s.

1940s: The Beginnings of Camp Mahachee toggle arrow

I will do my best to be friendly and helpful.

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By March 1944, Girl Scouts across the nation had devoted more than 15,430,000 hours of service in the war effort. As World War II reached its end, Girl Scouts in Dade County switched focus to a new venture.

In 1945, with $3,337 ( ~$60,000 today) from cookie sales by troops, the Girl Scouts of Dade County purchased a new campsite next to Matheson County Park. After a local naming contest, “Camp Mahachee” became the official name of the 11.5-acre campsite. Mahachee is a Seminole Indian word meaning progressing or growing.

Camp Mahachee, the rst Lou Henry Hoover Memorial Conservation project in the United States, was dedicated as a nature sanctuary on June 3, 1945. Through donations of time and money from the community, construction was completed a few years later. On November 7, 1948, the dedication ceremony, attended by 7,000 people, marked the official beginning of countless memories.

1950s: S’more Campsites for Girl Scouts toggle arrow

I will do my best to be considerate and caring.

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Throughout the 1950s, Black and white Girl Scout troops in South Throughout the 1950s, Black and white Girl Scout troops in South Florida were segregated. To provide similar opportunities to Black Girl Scout troops, Camp Choee Howlette near Richmond Heights was purchased in 1952. In the summer of 1953, the camp hosted 65 Black Girl Scouts for their first camping experience.

By the end of the U.S. civil rights movement in the late 1960s, Girl Scouts of all races and ethnicities were finally experiencing s’mores together. Serving as community leaders, many South Florida Girl Scout troops desegregated before the public school system. Today, Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida empowers girls to celebrate diversity in all forms.

Another popular Girl Scout camping location also laid its foundation in the 1950s. In 1954, South Miami City Council donated the 4.5-acre wooded grounds for South Miami Little House to the Girl Scouts. After twenty months of hard work, a dedication ceremony on December 4, 1955 opened the doors of the new campsite.

1960s: Widening Horizons Together toggle arrow

I will do my best to be courageous and strong.

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As an international movement, Girl Scouts encourages girls to experience new cultures. Taking this to heart, Britta Carnes and South Florida Troop 132 took a special camping tour through Europe in 1961.

In October 1963, the newly formed Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida became a first-time host for the 36th convention of the Girl Scout National Council. Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper, the first American to spend a full day in space, and his wife Trudy Cooper, a Girl Scout troop leader, opened the convention. Speaking to about 8,000 Girl Scouts, he stated, “Scouting helps to widen horizons.”

In the summer of 1965, South Florida Girl Scout Sheila Shapiro (Aronson) participated in the Roundup in Farragut, Idaho. An international gathering of Girl Scouts, this once-in-a-career opportunity consisted of camping, conservation, and camaraderie.

1970s: Awareness, Appreciation, and Community toggle arrow

I will do my best to be responsible for what I say and do.

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During the 1970s, the Girl Scout Council of Tropical Florida wanted to develop ways to increase appreciation of South Florida’s diverse cultures while creating opportunities in underserved communities. This started with including girls at the leadership table. In March 1970, the council became the first in the USA to invite senior Girl Scouts to serve on the Board of Directors, which continues today. By 1978, the council served over 10,000 girls, including 14.5% Black and 13% Hispanic.

In 1973, American Opera, “Daisy,” based on the life of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, premiered in Miami. Developed in partnership between the Opera Guild of Greater Miami, the Young Patronesses of the Opera, and local Girl Scouts, the opera became a community triumph.

In 1979, more than 5,000 Girl Scouts from 70 Miami-Dade and Monroe County troops came together for the 50th anniversary gala of the council’s formation in 1929 at Tropical Park. The troops celebrated with a parade, displays, and activities like quilting and basket-weaving.

1980s: Pioneering New Paths toggle arrow

I will do my best to respect authority, myself and others.

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In 1980, Girl Scouts in the Upper Keys hosted their 11th annual Fish Fry Fundraiser event. Unique to the Florida Keys, the event included batter-fried fish filets and Key lime pie for only $4 per adult and $2 per child.

After 72 years, and successfully expanding Girl Scout programs to serve ages seven to 17, one key question remained. Why not start Girl Scouts when girls start school? That led to the creation of the Daisies program in 1984 for girls in Kindergarten to first grade.

In 1987, Wanda Hewitt, a pioneer for Black Girl Scout troops in Miami, was awarded for her decades-long service to the Ixora community, beginning in 1964 when she started a troop at Charles Drew Elementary School. An inspiration to many girls over the years, what’s her guidance to them today? “You can do anything and be anybody that you choose to be.”

1990s: Making a difference toggle arrow

I will do my best to use resources wisely.

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In October 1990, the Girl Scouts Council of Tropical Florida became a second-time host for the 45th convention of the Girl Scout National Council. First Lady Barbara Bush spoke to attendees as they embarked on a new national initiative, Right to Read. Powerful words from keynote speaker Maya Angelou inspired the audience. “Working together, you can be the people who literally will make a difference.”

In 1992, Hurricane Andrew devastated the South Florida community. Despite personal impacts and extensive damage at Camp Choee and Mahachee, Girl Scouts in South Dade set up a relief center at Girl Scout Little House to help the community. After two years of repairs and 140 oak trees, Camp Choee welcomed back 800 Girl Scouts with fun activities and a talent show.

As the popularity of computers grew throughout the 1990s, the Girl Scouts launched their first Technology badge. On February 1, 1996, the website for the Girl Scouts of the USA made its debut.

2000s: Golden Cookies and Scouts toggle arrow

I will do my best to make the world a better place.

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The Gold Award is the highest recognition a Girl Scout can earn. It recognizes their commitment and dedication to themselves, their community, the world, and the future. In 2000, 40 Girl Scouts received this honor. As of 2022, over a thousand Girl Scouts in South Florida have earned the prestigious Gold Award.

The turn of the millennium also meant a new design for Girl Scout cookie boxes. From Trefoils to Thin Mints, Do-si-dos, Samoas, and Tagalongs, fan-favorite cookies now had boxes highlighting the spirit of Girl Scouting and the skills that girls learn.

Although best known for its delicious cookies, Girl Scouts is more than that. Whether it's volunteering in a nursing home, animal shelter, or with underserved youth, Girl Scouts find ways to give back to their community. In the summer of 2007, Miami’s Girl Scouts Troop 683’s community project took them to Jamaica where they created and led a two-week camp for more than 80 underprivileged local children.

2010s and Beyond: Continuing A Legacy toggle arrow

I will do my best to be a sister to every Girl Scout.

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Throughout the 2010s, a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programming has skyrocketed for girls. As Miami transforms into a tech hub, Girl Scout badges in robotics, space science, and computer science ensure today's girls can be tomorrow’s industry leaders.

A deep connection with nature and community has always been a part of the Girl Scouts. Today, Girl Scouts continue to complete numerous service projects that support the environment, from beach clean-ups to community gardens. Always willing to lend a hand to those in need, they have helped our community recover after major hurricanes and showed resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the world continues to change, Girl Scouts of Tropical Florida is continuing to carve new pathways so that the original vision of Juliette Gordon-Low rings true: girls can be anything they want to be, they just need to believe in themselves. Bright futures are ahead for Girl Scouts as they continue to build their personal and shared legacies, together.