Juliette gordon low story for pearl swap

Millions of Girl Scouts — both former and present — are encouraged to wear pearls this week to honor the 100th anniversary of founder Juliette “Daisy” Gordon Low's selfless act of generosity that allowed the organization to survive and prosper.



In 1915, only three years after its inception, the growing organization was in desperate need of funds.

To support the movement for another year, Low sold her dearly loved natural pearls — a wedding present from her husband — for $8,000.

A photo portrait of Low featured on a Girl Scout regional website shows the founder wearing what appears to be a 30-inch-long rope of matched natural pearls.

These could very well be the pearls she used to finance her organization. According to various sources, Low dedicated almost all of her personal assets to pay for the expenses of the movement.

The magnitude of her sacrifice comes into clearer focus when one tra