Girl Scouts and The White House

Finding a Sequence

All documents and text associated with this activity are printed below, followed by a worksheet for student responses.

Introduction

Juliette Gordon Low founded Girl Scouts in 1912 in her hometown of Savannah, Georgia. She was inspired to do so after meeting Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts. In 1917, Low recruited Lou Henry Hoover to serve as acting commissioner in Washington, DC. Lou Henry Hoover was married to Herbert Hoover, the head the U.S. Food Administration at that time during World War I (he would become president, and she the first lady, in 1929).

Lou Henry Hoover believed that Girl Scouts was the best organization to promote outdoor physical activity, leadership, and community service for girls. Her involvement spanned decades, including acting as the honorary president of the Girl Scouts of America when she was the first lady of the United States from 1929 to 1933. Every first lady since has served as the honorary president.

Look at the photographs of first ladies with Girl Scouts below. Move them to the timeline so that they're in chronological order. Click on "Show Hints" for help, or the orange "open in new window" icon for more information about each photo. (There is one exception: First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was not able to meet with Girl Scouts and President Kennedy met with them instead.)

Print Full Activity

Name:
Class:

Worksheet

Girl Scouts and The White House

Finding a Sequence

Examine the documents in this activity. Put the corresponding document numbers in order using the list below. Write your conclusion response in the space provided.

Hints for this Activity

First Lady Lou Henry Hoover (1929-1933)
First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1933-1945)
First Lady Bess Truman (1945-1953)
First Lady Mamie Eisenhower (1953-1961)
President John F. Kennedy (1961-1963)
First Lady Bird Johnson (1963-1969)
First Lady Pat Nixon (1969-1974)
First Lady Betty Ford (1974-1977)
First Lady Rosalynn Carter (1977-1981)
First Lady Nancy Reagan (1981-1989)
First Lady Barbara Bush (1989-1993)
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton (1993-2001)
First Lady Laura Bush (2001-2009)
First Lady Michelle Obama (2009-2017)

Activity Element

Barbara Bush Addresses the Girl Scout Triennial National Convention at the Miami Beach Convention Center

Page 1

Activity Element

First Lady Pat Nixon at the National Headquarters of the Girl Scouts of America in New York City

Page 1

Activity Element

Eleanor Roosevelt with Girl Scouts of Lexington, Kentucky

Page 1

Activity Element

First Lady Bess W. Truman Receives Gift from Girl Scouts

Page 1

Activity Element

The First-Ever White House Campout

Page 1

Activity Element

Nancy Reagan Attending an Event for the 75th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA at the Kennedy Center

Page 1

Activity Element

First Lady Betty Ford at the 40th National Convention of the Girl Scouts of America

Page 1

Activity Element

Lady Bird Johnson Meets with Girl Scouts in the White House, Washington, DC

Page 1

Activity Element

First Lady Lou Henry Hoover Giving a Radio Address with Girl Scouts

Page 1

Activity Element

Mrs. Laura Bush Attends a Movie Screening at the White House with Girl Scouts from Local Troops

Page 1

Activity Element

President John F. Kennedy Meets with Girl Scouts

Page 1

Activity Element

Hillary Rodham Clinton Participating in a Girl Scouts Smoking Prevention Event on the North Portico

Page 1

Activity Element

Mamie D. Eisenhower Meets with Girl Scouts from Marion, South Carolina, Outside the White House

Page 1

Activity Element

Rosalynn Carter with Representatives from the Girl Scouts of America

Page 1

Conclusion

Girl Scouts and The White House

Finding a Sequence

Look at all of the photographs from 1931 to 2015 that you put in chronological order.

Write three observations about how the Girl Scout uniform changed over the years.
Explain how the changes in uniforms might reflect cultural changes over time. For example, when was it acceptable for girls to wear pants in public, and when do pants appear as part of the Girl Scout uniform?
What else do you notice changed through the years?

Your Response

Document

Eleanor Roosevelt with Girl Scouts of Lexington, Kentucky

7/7/1934

This primary source comes from the Collection FDR-Photos: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Photographs.

Full Citation: Photograph 57-101(3); Eleanor Roosevelt with Girl Scouts of Lexington, Kentucky; 7/7/1934; Photographs of Eleanor Roosevelt, 1884 - 1962; Collection FDR-Photos: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library Photographs, ; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/eleanor-roosevelt-girl-scouts, April 26, 2024]

Eleanor Roosevelt with Girl Scouts of Lexington, Kentucky

Page 1

Document

Mamie D. Eisenhower Meets with Girl Scouts from Marion, South Carolina, Outside the White House

3/9/1954

This photograph shows First Lady Mamie Eisenhower meeting with girl scouts from Marion, South Carolina, outside the White House.

This primary source comes from the Records of the National Park Service.

Full Citation: Photograph 72-722-1; Mamie D. Eisenhower Meets with Girl Scouts from Marion, South Carolina, Outside the White House; 3/9/1954; White House Albums, 1953 - 1961; Records of the National Park Service, ; Dwight D. Eisenhower Library, Abilene, KS. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/mamie-eisenhower-girl-scouts, April 26, 2024]

Mamie D. Eisenhower Meets with Girl Scouts from Marion, South Carolina, Outside the White House

Page 1

Document

Hillary Rodham Clinton Participating in a Girl Scouts Smoking Prevention Event on the North Portico

9/9/1996

This photograph shows First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton participating in a Girl Scouts smoking prevention event on the North Portico at the White House.

This primary source comes from the Collection WJC-WHPO: Photographs of the White House Photograph Office (Clinton Administration).

Full Citation: Photograph P44701-24; Hillary Rodham Clinton Participating in a Girl Scouts Smoking Prevention Event on the North Portico; 9/9/1996; Photographs Relating to the Clinton Administration, 1/20/1993 - 1/20/2001; Collection WJC-WHPO: Photographs of the White House Photograph Office (Clinton Administration), ; William J. Clinton Library, Little Rock, AR. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/hillary-rodham-clinton-girl-scouts, April 26, 2024]

Hillary Rodham Clinton Participating in a Girl Scouts Smoking Prevention Event on the North Portico

Page 1

Document

Nancy Reagan Attending an Event for the 75th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA at the Kennedy Center

3/12/1987

First Lady Nancy Reagan attended this event celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Girl Scouts at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

National Archives Identifier: 75855333

Full Citation: Nancy Reagan Attending an Event for the 75th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA at the Kennedy Center; 3/12/1987. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/nancy-reagan-75th-anniversary-girl-scouts, April 26, 2024]

Nancy Reagan Attending an Event for the 75th Anniversary of the Girl Scouts of the USA at the Kennedy Center

Page 1

Document

Barbara Bush Addresses the Girl Scout Triennial National Convention at the Miami Beach Convention Center

10/22/1990

This photograph shows Barbara Bush at the Girl Scout Triennial National Convention at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

This primary source comes from the Collection GB-WHPO: Records of the White House Photograph Office.

Full Citation: Photograph P16766-11; Barbara Bush Addresses the Girl Scout Triennial National Convention at the Miami Beach Convention Center; 10/22/1990; George H. W. Bush Presidential Photographs, 1/20/1989 - 1/20/1993; Collection GB-WHPO: Records of the White House Photograph Office, ; George Bush Library, College Station, TX . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/barbara-bush-girl-scout-convention, April 26, 2024]

Barbara Bush Addresses the Girl Scout Triennial National Convention at the Miami Beach Convention Center

Page 1

Document

Mrs. Laura Bush Attends a Movie Screening at the White House with Girl Scouts from Local Troops

1/31/2007

The original caption for this photograph reads: As part of the Helping America's Youth initiative, Mrs. Laura Bush welcomed Girl Scouts and their mentors serving as positive role models offering young women guidance, encouragement and leadership development. The Scouts from local Troops 44100 and 42100 watched a screening of the movie "Charlotte's Web" at the White House Wednesday, January 31, 2007.

This primary source comes from the Collection GWB-WHPO: Records of the White House Photo Office (George W. Bush Administration).

National Archives Identifier: 171487131

Full Citation: Photograph P013107SC-0224; Mrs. Laura Bush Attends a Movie Screening at the White House with Girl Scouts from Local Troops; 1/31/2007; Photographs Related to the George W. Bush Administration, 1/20/2001 - 1/20/2009; Collection GWB-WHPO: Records of the White House Photo Office (George W. Bush Administration), ; George W. Bush Library, Dallas, TX. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/laura-bush-girl-scouts-movie, April 26, 2024]

Mrs. Laura Bush Attends a Movie Screening at the White House with Girl Scouts from Local Troops

Page 1

Document

The First-Ever White House Campout

6/30/2015

This photograph shows First Lady Michelle Obama with Girl Scouts on the South Lawn of the White House. Mrs. Obama hosted the first-ever White House Campout as part of the "Let's Move! Outside" initiative.

This primary source comes from the Collection BHO-WHPO: Records of the White House Photo Office (Obama Administration).

National Archives Identifier: 230249930

Full Citation: Photograph P063015CK-0463; The First-Ever White House Campout; 6/30/2015; Presidential Photographs, 1/20/2009 - 1/20/2017; Collection BHO-WHPO: Records of the White House Photo Office (Obama Administration), ; Barack Obama Presidential Library, Hoffman Estates, IL. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/michelle-obama-girls-scouts-campout, April 26, 2024]

The First-Ever White House Campout

Page 1

Document

President John F. Kennedy Meets with Girl Scouts

3/16/1961

This photograph shows President John F. Kennedy meeting with representatives of the Girl Scouts of America in connection with the 49th anniversary of the Girl Scouts. In the foreground (L-R) are: girl scout Sonja Algren of Silver Spring, Maryland; Georgiana Belknap Edgar, the first vice president of the Girl Scouts of America, of Summit, New Jersey; President Kennedy; and girl scout Ellen Hooton of Chevy Chase, Maryland. The photo was taken in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C.

This primary source comes from the Collection JFK-WHP: White House Photographs.

Full Citation: Photograph AR6430-A; President John F. Kennedy Meets with Girl Scouts; 3/16/1961; Abbie Rowe White House Photographs, 12/6/1960 - 3/11/1964; Collection JFK-WHP: White House Photographs, ; John F. Kennedy Library, Boston, MA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/jfk-girl-scouts, April 26, 2024]

President John F. Kennedy Meets with Girl Scouts

Page 1

Document

Rosalynn Carter with Representatives from the Girl Scouts of America

3/11/1977

This primary source comes from the Collection JC-WHSP: White House Staff Photographers Collection.

National Archives Identifier: 174020

Full Citation: Photograph WHSP-C-00637-26; Rosalynn Carter with Representatives from the Girl Scouts of America; 3/11/1977; 6-20 President Carter with Mr. John Shanklin and Grandson Jason 21-27 RC with Girl Scout Representative 28-35 RC at NIH with Mrs. Callaghan; Jimmy Carter's Presidential Photographs, 1/20/1977-1/20/1981; Collection JC-WHSP: White House Staff Photographers Collection, ; Jimmy Carter Library, Atlanta, GA . [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/rosalynn-carter-girl-scouts, April 26, 2024]

Rosalynn Carter with Representatives from the Girl Scouts of America

Page 1

Document

Lady Bird Johnson Meets with Girl Scouts in the White House, Washington, DC

1965

This primary source comes from the Collection LBJ-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection.

National Archives Identifier: 36748623

Full Citation: Photograph 34001; Lady Bird Johnson Meets with Girl Scouts in the White House, Washington, DC ; 1965; Johnson White House Photographs, 11/22/1963 - 1/20/1969; Collection LBJ-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection, ; Lyndon Baines Johnson Library, Austin, TX. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/lady-bird-johnson-girl-scouts, April 26, 2024]

Lady Bird Johnson Meets with Girl Scouts in the White House, Washington, DC

Page 1

Document

First Lady Betty Ford at the 40th National Convention of the Girl Scouts of America

10/26/1975

This photograph depicts First Lady Betty Ford seated on a stage with Girl Scouts on risers behind her. The event was held at the Sylvan Theater on the grounds of the Washington Monument.

This primary source comes from the Collection GRF-WHPO: White House Photographic Office Collection (Ford Administration).

National Archives Identifier: 45644259

Full Citation: Photograph GRF-WHPO-A7017-24; First Lady Betty Ford at the 40th National Convention of the Girl Scouts of America; 10/26/1975; Gerald R. Ford White House Photographs, 8/9/1974 - 1/20/1977; Collection GRF-WHPO: White House Photographic Office Collection (Ford Administration), ; Gerald R. Ford Library, Ann Arbor, MI. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/betty-ford-girl-scouts-convention, April 26, 2024]

First Lady Betty Ford at the 40th National Convention of the Girl Scouts of America

Page 1

Document

First Lady Bess W. Truman Receives Gift from Girl Scouts

12/3/1952

The original caption of this photograph reads: First Lady Bess W. Truman (second from right) receives a glass paperweight in honor of her service as honorary president of the Girl Scouts since 1945. The girls presenting the gift as two unidentified Girl Scout leaders look on: (left to right) Loretta Gallegos, 8; Susan Schneider, 11; Joanna Rodman, 8; Marion East, 16.

This primary source comes from the Collection HST-AVC: Audiovisual Collection.

National Archives Identifier: 6820708

Full Citation: Photograph 73-3939; First Lady Bess W. Truman Receives Gift from Girl Scouts; 12/3/1952; Photographs Relating to the Administration, Family, and Personal Life of Harry S. Truman, 1957 - 2004; Collection HST-AVC: Audiovisual Collection, ; Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hyde Park, NY. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/bess-truman-girl-scouts, April 26, 2024]

First Lady Bess W. Truman Receives Gift from Girl Scouts

Page 1

Document

First Lady Pat Nixon at the National Headquarters of the Girl Scouts of America in New York City

2/4/1970

This primary source comes from the Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration).

National Archives Identifier: 66394177

Full Citation: Photograph WHPO-2907-16; First Lady Pat Nixon at the National Headquarters of the Girl Scouts of America in New York City; 2/4/1970; Nixon White House Photographs, 1/20/1969 - 8/9/1974; Collection RN-WHPO: White House Photo Office Collection (Nixon Administration), ; Richard Nixon Library, Yorba Linda, CA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/pat-nixon-girl-scouts-headquarters, April 26, 2024]

First Lady Pat Nixon at the National Headquarters of the Girl Scouts of America in New York City

Page 1

Document

First Lady Lou Henry Hoover Giving a Radio Address with Girl Scouts

4/7/1931

The original caption for this photograph that was published in the newspaper reads: Lauds the Girl Scout Movement: In a radio broadcast over a nationwide hook-up, Mrs. Herbert Hoover, wife of the chief executive and honorary president of the [Girl Scouts] movement, lauded the Girl Scout Organization of America. This was the first time a picture was ever made at the White House showing either Mrs. Hoover or the president broadcasting. Left to right – [Girl Scout] Lois Kuhn, Mrs. Hoover, and [Girl Scout] Peggy Starr.

This primary source comes from the Collection HH-AV: Hoover Presidential Library Audiovisual Collection.

Full Citation: Photograph 31-1931-34; First Lady Lou Henry Hoover Giving a Radio Address with Girl Scouts; 4/7/1931; Photographs of People, Places and Events, 1962 - 2004; Collection HH-AV: Hoover Presidential Library Audiovisual Collection, ; Herbert Hoover Library, West Branch, IA. [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/lou-henry-hoover-radio-address, April 26, 2024]

First Lady Lou Henry Hoover Giving a Radio Address with Girl Scouts

Page 1