It was a steamy summer in the pit of the south in Savannah, Georgia, where I first realized that women could lead. I was a bright-eyed pony tail seventh grade tourist meandering the cobblestone streets sporting a green vest adorned with embroidered spheres along with a group of my closest girlfriends when I discovered that the passion of one woman propelled her to lead and nurture a global movement that has changed the world. Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of Girl Scouts, believed in the potential of all girls and the importance of fostering their individual growth, character and self-sufficiency.
I’d like to share three brief lessons from Juliette’s lifework and leadership that I’ll continue to apply to my own story:
Vision without action means nothing. Vision with action is transformational.
A chance meeting in 1912 with Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of Boy Scouts, gave Juliette a vision for Girl Scouts. She left that meeting with a spark and determination. Girl Scouts launched within the same year. 106 years later, this preeminent leadership development organization for girls is 2.6 million members strong.
Leave everything better than you found it.
As girls, we applied this to our campsite, however, when you apply it to your life, work and service it’s quite powerful and challenging. Use your gifts for a purpose. Juliette’s innate talent for fundraising and public relations combined with utilizing her vast network of friends and supporters served as the catalyst for the start and sustainability of Girl Scouts. How can you apply this powerful principle to your life, work or service?
Pour into others, specifically the next generation.
It was said that Juliette Gordon Low descended from a long line of strong, independent women. I too have been blessed with strong women in my life, whether connected by blood or by circumstance. They have taken the time to challenge and encourage me and have certainly inspired me to pass along the favor to other young women. Regardless of gender, how can you give of yourself to empower someone else?
Someone I admire said recently, “Working hard for something you don’t care about is called stress. Working hard for something you love is called passion.” Juliette Gordon Low was buried in her scout uniform, and in her shirt pocket was a note that said, “You are not only the first scout, but the best Girl Scout of them all.”
Be passionate, have vision with action, work diligently and strive to be the best at whatever you set out to accomplish. These are timeless lessons we can all apply to our present circumstances, in business and in life.
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