02/10/2026
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH
Girl Scout Troop 34 was the FIRST African-American Girl Scout troop in the South. Founded in Richmond, Virginia in 1932 as part of Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of VA, Troop 34 met regularly on the campus of Virginia Union University.
The Richmond troop was started by sponsors Lena Watson, Janie Jones, and Mary Virginia Binga, and served as a model for other southern councils as the Girl Scout organization continued to champion integration.
Ebony Magazine commended Girl Scouts’ inclusivity during GSUSA’s 40th anniversary, noting that in 1951, there were more than 1,500 racially integrated Girl Scout troops and more than 1,800 all-African American troops (mostly located in the South). The magazine cites Girl Scouts as "making slow and steady progress toward surmounting the racial barriers of the region."
As Girl Scouts began a national effort to desegregate troops, the Movement was increasingly recognized as "a force for desegregation," especially in the South.
In 2019, the Girl Scout commitment to diversity and inclusion is stronger than ever. This Black History Month and beyond, let's honor the contributions of Girl Scouts past and present who show just how powerful the world becomes when all girls have a seat at the table.
