Local Girl Scouts Learn about First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson at Annual Program

On Saturday, March 10, the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum hosted over 50 Girl Scouts from two different Councils. The girls participated in the museum’s Annual First Lady’s Patch Day, which is designed to empower young girls to have them successfully confront life’s challenges and to reach their full potential with confidence.

Scouts explored history with a guided tour of the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum and the Bolling Home where First Lady Mrs. Wilson was born. They learned about Edith’s life “From Wytheville to the White House,”  and imagined what life was like for young Edith, who was the 7th of 11 children growing up with her grandmother’s 26 canaries. They also learned about her leadership qualities as a successful women business owner and as First Lady during World War I. The program also featured a visit by “Young Edith,” who shared how her life was similar and different from growing up today. After the program, girls got to take part in a special etiquette lunch at the Bolling Wilson hotel where they learned about proper place settings, table manners, roles of the host, and how to converse with guests. 

Edith Bolling Wilson became the first Honorary President of Girl Scouts in 1917. She was named by Juliette Low in 1917 to this position, which began a tradition for future First Ladies. A “Thanks Badge” was specially designed and presented to First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson by the Girl Scout National Board at a ceremony at the White House by the Founder, Juliette Gordon Low. The “Thanks Badge” recognized Mrs. Wilson’s thoughtfulness and encouragement to Girl Scouts. Mrs. Wilson gifted the pin to the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in 1958. The emerald and diamond pin is still held in their collection today.

For more about the museum’s Girl Scout Programs, visit www.edithbollingwilson.org/scouts.

This program was sponsored, in part, by Summit Community Bank.