While much of the country is thinking only of costume parades, pumpkin carving, and sugary sweets this weekend, for 2.8 million girls and women members worldwide, October 31 has much bigger significance: It is the birthday of Girl Scouts founder Juliette Gordon Low.

Born on Halloween in 1860, Juliette, known to friends and family as “Daisy,” would grow up to create the largest girl leadership organization in the world. Inspired by her visit with Boy Scouts founder Sir Robert Baden-Powell in 1911, Low had a very specific, and somewhat controversial, vision for Girl Scouting. It would be welcoming to ALL girls, regardless of class, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or level of ability — an ideal that remains a cornerstone of the organization today.

So, enough with the history lesson, and on to some fun trivia!  Here are five things you probably didn’t know about this unique, amazing woman.

1. As a teenager, Low was the captain of what sports team?

(A) Basketball, (B) Swimming, (C) Archery, or (D) Rowing.

2. What special feat did Low perform every year to celebrate her birthday?

(A) Pulling a rabbit from her bonnet, (B) Standing on her head, (C) Climbing a tree, or (D) Singing an aria from her favorite opera.

3. What activity or activities did Low’s first Girl Scout Troop have to do in secret, behind a wall of curtains, to avoid public scrutiny?

(A) Playing basketball, (B) Learning first aid, (C) Learning to tie knots for camping, or (D) All of these.

4. Which prestigious award was posthumously given to Low in 2012?

(A) The Nobel Peace Prize, (B) Woodrow Wilson Award for Public Service, (C) the Presidential Medal of Freedom, or (D) the Public Welfare Medal.

5. As a young child, Juliette and her cousins formed clubs to produce what items for a poor family living in their town?

(A) Baked goods, (B) Toys, (C) Linens, or (D) Clothing.

Answers:

1. D, Rowing
2. B, Standing on her head
3. A, Playing basketball
4. C, Presidential Medal of Freedom
5. D, Clothing

Want to learn more about Juliette Gordon Low’s fascinating life? Here are a few suggestions: GirlScouts.org; Biography.com; YouTube.

~ Lori Tomlinson is the Manager of Communications and Marketing for Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc.