This undated photo shows a young Girl Scout saluting with a backward three-finger salute. She has a tie, belt, hat and a shawl or coat over one arm. You can just see over her left pocket a round Girl Scout symbol, and in the center of her tie her pin. This uniform looks similar to those worn in the 1919-1927 era, although not exactly like others I have seen from that time. I’m venturing a guess at the 30s. The back of the photo says “Sis just before she left for camp.”
This photo was dated June 26, 27, 28 1956. The Girl Scouts are preparing to board a train bound from Providence, RI to New York City. Unfortunately their names were not listed. There appear to be three Cadettes in the foreground, possibly three seniors on the left (appearing to be in white) and a woman in between who might have been their leader.
This particular photo shows Junior Girl Scouts from the 1980s based on the style of uniforms. The blouse and red neck tie seen on one of these girls really gives it away. The blouse was white with the Girl Scout logo in a pinstripe format. This was the first uniform update that really allowed slacks and shorts for girls, in addition to skirts. Previous uniforms did have shorts, but the “formal” uniform always included a skirt…until this one. I hated the neckties because they snapped in the center, and during the day they would twist around until they were really wonky and pointed straight down.
These girls are posed on a diving board and have two dogs with them. Were they the troop mascots? Although two girls are wearing coats, the picture was still staged out of doors, making me wonder what time of year it was.
This vintage press photo is stamped “Miami Herald Staff Photo / by Fred Brent” and is dated November 19, 1949. Now, take a look at this shot from the 1948 Girl Scout calendar…
While the calendar photo would have been taken probably in 1947, the uniforms are virtually identical. Girls wore saddle shoes, which to our modern sensibilities seems crazy. A non-slip sole is much safer on a potentially wet deck, after all.
The press photo identified Marilyn Grover as sitting and Sue Allen with the sextant. The Girl Scout calendar only indicates that these Mariner Scouts are Senior girls.
A group of Brownie Girl Scouts, somewhere. The uniforms are consistent with the 1941-1956 style, which featured four to six buttons on the bodice, a belted waist and short sleeves. The dresses were made from cotton and required pressing before wearing. Notice their large bow ties! Two of my Brownies will be modeling these uniforms but we don’t have the ties. I do wonder what color they were. The dresses themselves were light brown. It is possible the ties were red, green or orange. Also of note but isn’t really visible, the pocket on the left breast featured an embroidered Brownie. You can also just see that the girl in center front has on a Brownie beanie. These hats were made of felt and fit over the skull with the Brownie emblem to the front.
Who Were They? 