I like the word tenacious. It can describe someone who is determined, strong, and never takes no for an answer. It’s the perfect adjective to describe Juliette Gordon Low, nicknamed Daisy.
Juliette is the founder of the Girl Scouts of America in 1912. At a time when women were expected to be followers, she was a leader. It helped that she had the resources and privilege of the upper class, and she channeled those advantages to serve generations of tenacious girls.
When I research any biography subject, I’m fascinated how many factors—time, culture, society, and personality—intersect and spark someone toward living an extraordinary life worth writing about. I grew to love Daisy as I wrote about her, perhaps because, like me, she often turned to art and nature for inspiration. As a child she played pretend, wrote plays, and explored the outdoors. As an adult, when she had an idea, but didn’t know how to make it happen (like forge her own iron gate, or create a nationwide organization!), she went out and found people to help her realize her vision. And if someone told her she couldn’t do something, she was especially tenacious and figured it out for herself. She did all this with humor, generosity, and kindness.
So, today, I celebrate the release of my book Who Was Juliette Gordon Low?. I was only a Brownie for a year in elementary school, and the memories of that year elude me now (although I do vividly recall walking over the bridge at the end of the year!). But I still have my uniform, neckerchief, and sash, evidence that I was one of millions of sisters around the globe that have benefited from Daisy’s example.
While I wish I could meet all the subjects I’ve written about, I would especially love to sit around a campfire with Miss Daisy, sing songs, tell stories, share a s’more, and thank her for teaching girls that every one of them has the power to make the world a better place—that they can all be tenacious daisies.
