<B>Most people do not know that Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of theGirl Scouts of America, was deaf. She began to lose her hearing whenshe was 17, and became almost totally deaf in her adulthood.
JulietteGordon was born on October 31, 1860, in Savannah, Georgia. Her familyand friends all called her Daisy. When she was 14 she was sent to aschool in Virginia that was run by some of Thomas Jefferson'sgrand-daughters. A few years later, at the age of 17, she transferredto a school in New York.
Juliettemarried William Mackay Low and they went to England to live. Juliettebecame interested in the Girl Guides Association there. She observedtheir meetings and was very impressed because the girls acquired many usefulskills. They learned how to cook, knit, tie knots and give first aid.They also learned about the history of the flag. Moreover, theydeveloped important social skills as they learned how to worktogether. Juliette thought that girls everywhere should have thisopportunity, so she decided to organize more troops.
Julietteorganized several Girl Guides troops in both England and Scotland.Since she could not do all the work herself, she had to ask otherwomen to help her. Sometimes the women were reluctant to give theirtime due to family responsibilities. However, Juliette was a verydetermined woman. When the women refused, she would pretend that shedidn't understand what they said. As a result, the women helped herin spite of being busy.
Juliettealways persevered until she motivated others to help her with hergoals. One encounter that required her persistence happened while shewas in Scotland. She was walking along a road one day when she cameto a stream. The only way across the stream was by a foot log, andJuliette was afraid to cross it alone. She was wondering what to dowhen she saw a peddler coming down the road. She told the peddler togo across the bridge first, and she would follow with her hand on hisshoulder. Although the peddler started to protest, her stubborninsistence again paid off. He reluctantly led her across the footbridge. Once they were safely on the other side, the peddlerexplained to her that he was blind!
WhenJuliette came back to America for a visit, she started the first GirlGuides troop in the country in her home town, Savannah. By the timeshe went back to England six months later, there were six Girl Guidetroops in Savannah. At that time, the girls each made their ownuniforms.
In1913, the Girl Guides changed its name to the Girl Scouts. JulietteLow came back to Savannah that same year. She decided that thereshould be Girl Scout troops all over the United States, so she workedtoward that goal. The first national Girl Scout convention was heldin Washington, DC, on June 10, 1915.
Juliettedied in Savannah on January 17, 1927. Thanks to her, there are nowGirl Scouts all over the world. Juliette's home in Savannah is anational Girl Scout center. --Adapted from: Goodstein, A. &Walworth, M. (1979). Interesting Deaf Americans. Washington, DC:Gallaudet University.