Happy anniversary, Girl Scouts.
Today marks 100 years from the day when Girl Scouts founder Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from Savannah, Ga, for the first troop meeting.
A century later, the fundamental values of self-discovery and community service remain at the heart of Girl Scouting.
According to the Girls Scouts of the Missouri Heartland, which serves Central Missouri, Low's vision in 1912 - when few opportunities were available to girls - was an organization where girls could expand personal horizons while having fun.
The centennial marks "an opportunity to celebrate the long and proud history of Girl Scouting and to engage our girls in making our communities and the world a better place," said Anne Soots, Missouri Heartland's interim CEO.
About 17,000 girls and 5,000 adults in portions of Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma are members of Missouri Heartland. Girl Scouts of the USA enjoys a membership of more than 3.4 million girls and adults.
In connection with the 100th anniversary, the Cole County Historical Society is displaying Girl Scout uniforms and memorabilia. In addition to uniforms from throughout the years, memorabilia includes dolls, songbooks, sashes and cookie boxes.
The display will continue through March at the museum, 109 Madison St. Hours are 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1-3 p.m. Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The museum is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Opportunities for women have increased significantly during the past century, and Girl Scouting has played a major role in that progress.