The Badge Archive

GSUSA Timeline

Since its founding in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA has continuously adapted to meet the needs of girls in a changing world. From the earliest handbooks and homemade uniforms to STEM badges and global service projects, the Girl Scout program has reflected the values, challenges, and opportunities of each generation.

This timeline traces the major milestones in program development, including badge systems, age levels, awards, uniforms, and structural changes. It highlights how Girl Scouting has grown from a single troop in Savannah to a nationwide movement—while staying true to its mission of building girls of courage, confidence, and character.

Whether you’re exploring the roots of a retired badge, researching how levels evolved, or simply curious about how Girl Scouts earned their First Class in 1963, this timeline is your guide to over a century of innovation, tradition, and girl-led growth.

1912 – Founding of Girl Guides of the United States by Juliette Gordon Low on March 12, in Savannah, Georgia. Proficiency Badges could be earned by any Girl Scout, ages 10-17.

1913 – Renamed to Girls Scouts of the United States.

1915 – Girl Scouts was incorporated and Headquarters was moved to New York City. The first Girl Scout national convention convened in Washington DC.

1916 – Golden Eagle of Merit was introduced.

1917 – A troop in Oklahoma was the first documented as baking and selling cookies to raise money.

1919 – A International Council was created. Golden Eagle of Merit changed to the Golden Eaglet.

1920 – The First World Conference of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts met.

1922 – Girl Scouts recognized the Brownie level and published the first Brownie Book.

1923 – Girl Scouts was organized into patrols, troops, local councils, and a National Council. Independent scouts were known as Lone Scouts.

1925 – Lone Troops on Foreign Soil (TOFS) started in Shanghai, China.

1926 – Girl Scouts and Girl Guides from around the world met in the United States and created a special day called Thinking Day. It was February 22, the birthday of both Lord Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts and co-founder of Girl Guides, and his wife Olave Baden-Powell, the Chief Girl Guide of the UK.

1927 – The khaki uniforms changed to a new silver-gray fabric.

1928 – The World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGGS) was founded in London, replacing the International Council.

1932 – At the 7th World Conference in Poland it was suggested to give birthday gifts on Thinking Day. Olave Baden-Powell asked them to “Send a penny with their thoughts” on Thinking Day.

1934 – Girl Scouts of Greater Philadelphia Council holds first official Girl Scout cookie sale.

1936 – The national organization started licensing commercial bakers for Girl Scouts to sell cookies.

1938 – The Golden Eaglet changed to the First Class Award.

1940 – The First Class Award changed to a Curved Bar that was embroidered on the uniform.

1947 – Renamed to Girl Scouts of the United States of America. Proficiency Badges could be earned by any Intermediary Girl Scout, ages 10-14. Brownies and Senior Girl Scouts had no badges to earn, only troop activities for the Brownies and some awards available for Senior Girl Scouts. The embroidered Curved Bar changed to the Curved Bar pin.

1950 – Received a congressional charter on March 16.

1951 – TOFS – North Atlantic was organized.

1953 – TOFS – West Pacific was organized.

1963 – New Cadette level was created. Green Border Proficiency Badges were for Juniors (ages 9 through 11, or 4th through 6th grade) and Yellow Borders Proficiency Badges and four Challenge pins were for Cadettes (ages 11 through 14, or 7th through 9th grade). Brownies (ages 7 and 8, or 2nd and 3rd grade) and Seniors (ages 14 through 18, or 10th through 12th grade) still did not have any badges. The Curved Bar pin was renamed The First Class Award, but did not go back to the original First Class Award look or requirements.

1968 – International Friendship Recognition was introduced.

1971 – Pants were an option for Senior level uniforms.

1972 – Eight new Challenge pins were available for Cadettes.

1973 – Brownie, Junior, and Cadette level uniforms were updated to allow a mix-and-match style, which included pants as an option.

1976 – A Pilot program of Pixies was formed (later became the Daisy level).

1977 – Badges were reorganized into Worlds to Explore and Proficiency Badges were retired. Some Proficiency Badge images were kept with new badge requirements, but were often renamed.

1978 – A second logo was voted on and now two logo options were available for scouts to wear and use.

1980 – The Silver and Gold Awards were introduced. Troops on Foreign Soil changed name to USA Girl Scouts Overseas (USAGSO)

1984 – New Daisy level was created.

1986 – Brownie Try-It badges were introduced.

1987 – Cadette and Senior level Interest Project badges were introduced.

1989 – Additional Brownie Try-Its were introduced.

1999 – At the 30th World Conference in Dublin, Ireland, Thinking Day was renamed to World Thinking Day.

2000 – Brownie Try-Its were changed from Worlds to Explore to a single brown border. The Girl Scout Research Institute (GSRI) was established.

2001 – Junior badges were changed from Worlds to Explore to a single green border. The Bronze Award was introduced. Daisy Petals were introduced with no requirements to earn.

2003 – Studio 2B program was launched for Seniors and Cadettes. Silver Award and Gold Award requirements were altered to require Studio 2B activities.

2004 – Cadette and Senior level Interest Project badges were changed from Worlds to Explore to a single blue border. The requirements to earn The Silver and Gold Award were redone. The GSUSA National Board of Directors consolidated 312 councils into 109 councils.

2008 – New Ambassador level was created. All levels were renamed to begin with “Girl Scout”. Instead of Brownie Girl Scouts, they were called Girl Scout Brownies. Sixth graders were now Cadette level instead of Junior level. Uniforms were changed to simply “an official sash or vest worn with white shirt and khaki pants… when girls participate in ceremonies or officially represent the Girl Scout Movement.“

2010 – The second GSUSA logo was updated.

2011 – Age divisions were officially redone: Daisies (K – 1st), Brownies (2nd – 3rd), Juniors (4th – 5th), Cadettes (6th – 8th), Seniors (9th – 10th), and Ambassadors (11th – 12th). Journeys and Take Action Projects (TAPs) were introduced in a completely new program for all levels. The USAGSO Pin was redesigned.

2012 – The GSUSA National Board of Directors raised dues without the National Council involved. USAGSO Sunrise Ceremonies began in Guam

2015 – The term Juliette for Independent Girl Scouts was officially retired and now called Individually Registered Member (IRM). However, the term “Juliette” still is in use today.

2016 – GSUSA started adding new badges to their 2011 program.

2017 – Daisy level received their first badges beyond the Petals, Leaves, and Journey badges with a flower shape.

2021 – GSUSA started retiring some badges and replacing them with updated versions.

2022 – GSUSA Daisy petal requirements were completely redone.

References:

Tia Kennard