From its founding in 1912 to the present day, the Girl Scouts of the USA have invited every member to affirm a personal commitment. There is a Promise and a Law that reflect the organization’s values. These statements have changed over time, not out of whim, but in response to cultural shifts, inclusive values, and the voices of members themselves.
This article offers a timeline of revisions and explanations to help leaders understand not just what changed, but why.
1912: The Original Vision
Girl Scout Law (1912)
A Girl Scout’s Honor Is to be Trusted
A Girl Scout Is Loyal
A Girl Scout’s Duty Is to be Useful and to Help Others
A Girl Scout Is a Friend to All, and a Sister to every Other Girl Scout no Matter to what Social Class she May Belong
A Girl Scout Is Courteous
A Girl Scout Keeps herself Pure
A Girl Scout Is a Friend to Animals
A Girl Scout Obeys Orders
A Girl Scout is Cheerful
A Girl Scout Is Thrifty
Girl Scout Promise (1912)
On my honor I will try:
To do my duty to God and to my country.
To help other people at all times.
To obey the Laws of the Scouts.
Purpose and Context
Juliette Gordon Low’s adoption of Baden-Powell’s Scout Law was both pragmatic and visionary. These lines were inspired by military and chivalric traditions, emphasizing duty, obedience, and virtue. The 1912 Law especially reflected prevailing Edwardian ideals: purity, loyalty, thrift, and social harmony. Leaders were expected to model these values, and scouts to live by them, even if the language felt formal and strict by today’s standards.
1940s–1950s: Postwar Reflection
Changes during these decades were mostly stylistic. The Law was rephrased to be more readable for younger girls while retaining its original intent. There was growing conversation about girl-led interpretation and democratic values, but official texts stayed close to the founding documents.
1972 Revision: A Major Shift
Girl Scout Law (1972)
I will do my best:
to be honest
to be fair
to help where I am needed
to be cheerful
to be friendly and considerate
to be a sister to every Girl Scout
to respect authority
to use resources wisely
to protect and improve the world around me
to show respect for myself and others through my words and actions
Girl Scout Promise (1972)
On my honor, I will try:
To serve God,
My country and mankind,
And to live by the Girl Scout Law.
Why the Change?
In the wake of the civil rights movement, second-wave feminism, and youth activism, GSUSA undertook a comprehensive reexamination of its program. The 1972 revision reflected:
- A shift from obedience to agency: phrases like “responsible for what I say and do” encouraged personal accountability.
- Inclusion of environmental awareness: “use resources wisely” aligned with the era’s burgeoning ecological consciousness.
- Greater emphasis on respect and diversity: “respect myself and others” broadened moral scope from obedience to empathy.
This version encouraged scouts to think for themselves about what’s right, take responsibility for their actions, and make thoughtful choices, not just follow rules because someone told them to.
Fun fact? Brownies had their own Brownie Promise and Law, which were distinct from the Girl Scout version until the 1970s.
1990s–Present: Language for a Diverse World
Current Girl Scout Promise
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.
Current Girl Scout Law
I will do my best to be:
honest and fair,
friendly and helpful,
considerate and caring,
courageous and strong, and
responsible for what I say and do,
and to respect myself and others,
respect authority,
use resources wisely,
make the world a better place, and
be a sister to every Girl Scout.
Why the Change?
The 1990 update to the Girl Scout Law and Promise kept the structure introduced in 1972 but made subtle adjustments to reflect evolving values and language. These changes were driven by:
- Commitment to Inclusion: GSUSA formally recognized that members could substitute the word “God” in the Promise to reflect their own spiritual beliefs. This policy shift supported religious diversity and personal expression.
- Cultural Responsiveness: The organization emphasized teaching the Law and Promise in ways that respected different backgrounds, communities, and lived experiences. This wasn’t a change in wording, but in how the values were contextualized and discussed.
- Program Integration: The 1990s saw a stronger alignment between the Law and Promise and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience. Badge programs, service projects, and handbooks were designed to reinforce these values in action, not just in ceremony.
- Affirmation of Core Values: Rather than overhaul the Law, GSUSA chose to reaffirm the 1972 version, signaling that its principles remained relevant in a changing world.
The focus today is on internalizing values in everyday life, not just knowing the words.
For Today’s Leaders: Why This History Matters
Understanding this evolution helps us lead with intentionality. Whether you’re a new Daisy troop leader or a Gold Award mentor, knowing where the Promise and Law came from reminds us that:
- These aren’t static statements. They reflect living values.
- Girl Scouts have always adapted to meet the needs of the times.
- Every revision is an invitation to recommit, with deeper understanding, inclusivity, and purpose.
The Promise and Law still serve as moral compasses. And as leaders, we help scouts chart their path by honoring tradition, welcoming change, and living the values ourselves.
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