For 100 years, Girl Scouts of the USA has offered young women a chance to grow and develop self-reliance and resourcefulness.

Girl Scouts was founded on March 12, 1912 in Savannah, Ga., when Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low gathered 18 girls to form the first American Girl Guides troop. She preempted this meeting with a call to a friend and distant cousin, saying, "I've got something for the girls of Savannah, and all of America, and all the world, and we're going to start it tonight!"This ambitious declaration was inspired by a meeting the previous year with Sir Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of the Boy Scouts and Girl Guides. Low was intrigued by these organizations and sought to bring a similar group to America.In doing so, she would eventually impact the more than 50 million girls, women and men who have been affiliated with the Girl Scouts, preparing young women for both traditional homemaking and future roles as professional women in the arts, sciences and business."Girl Scouts is at the forefront of building girl leaders," said Girl Scouts of America President Connie L. Lindsey. "Our girls will understand that they matter. And when they dream their future, they see a world of shared leadership, where the values of courage, confidence, and character really do make the world a better place."Many of today's most prominent women leaders have been involved in the Girl Scouts, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Laura Bush, and Barbara Walters. Approximately 80 percent of women executives and business owners are former Girl Scouts. Two-thirds of the women serving in Congress have been Scouts.While Girl Scouts of America currently boasts more than 4 million members and volunteers, the program was revolutionary for its time. Women did not have the right to vote in 1912, a privilege that would be granted nearly a decade after Girl Scouts' founding.The first Girl Scouts focused on skills such as child care and self-defense. Scouts could earn more than 25 badges, including Child Nurse. While this badge system has evolved over time, Scouts of all levels continue to earn badges.While the first Girl Scouts were financed by Low, troops soon turned to cookie sales to raise money for activities. The earliest recorded cookie sale was in 1917 in Oklahoma. Girl Scouts throughout the country soon joined in, offering their own home-baked cookies using a simple sugar cookie recipe. These cookies sold for 25 to 35 cents per dozen through the 1920s and 30s.The national Girl Scout council first organized commercially baked cookies in 1937, standardizing the cookie sales that remain popular today so popular that troops sold 207 million boxes of Thin Mints, Trefoils, and other varieties last year.Girl Scout cookies continue to be the primary fundraiser for Scouts each year. Funds earned while selling cookies go toward activities such as camping, attending local events, and troop projects. Approximately 70 percent of the cost of each box remains in the selling Scout's local council.Since selling their first batch of cookies, Girl Scouts have used cookie sales to learn important life lessons while having fun. The first Girl Scouts used Girl Scout cookies to learn baking and door-to-door sales techniques. Today, cookie sales continue to mean more than raising funds and tasty treats. Daisies, the youngest Girl Scouts, use cookie sales to learn about teamwork and leadership. Older Girl Scouts learn math skills and basic business and economic lessons.Perhaps the largest change to Girl Scouts has occurred within the past decade, as leaders restructured the organization to meet the needs of modern girls in the 21st century. Their new focuses included updated programs, shifting age groupings and adding the level of Girl Scout Ambassador (grades 11 and 12). They also strived to continue promoting volunteerism and leadership among young women.To celebrate their 90th anniversary, nearly 350 Girl Scout representatives met with members of Congress during the first Congressional Lobby Day to discuss the benefits and accomplishments of Girl Scouts. All congresswomen are eligible to join Troop Capitol Hill, an honorary Congressional Girl Scout Troop.The organization also launched the Girl Scout Research Institute to research and addresses the issues facing girls and young women. They've addressed topics such as social media, healthy eating and weight, self esteem, and even the impact Hillary Rodham Clinton had on young women while running for president.Research publications have been used to influence public policy and make internal changes to Girl Scouts of America, allowing current Scouts to have a direct impact on their world and the world of Scouting.Locally, troop leaders continue to listen to their Scouts as they make plans for the next 100 years of Scouting."It's all about the girls," says Sue Urban, leader of Senior and Ambassador Troop 34229. "We do the things that they want to do, and follow their interests. Girls who have come through Scouting have a lot of opportunities to explore new things."What is her hope for the future of Girl Scouts? Like many past and current members, she simply hopes that the opportunities afforded to Scouts will continue to grow."I hope it continues that girls might have these opportunities," she said. "Even in a small area, girls have had a lot of opportunities, (including trips to Washington and regional camps.) It gives them a chance to reach outside of the area that they live in. You really see the girls develop, thanks to these opportunities. They're our future leaders."Troops from the area will celebrate the Year of the Girl in many ways, both large and small. The most visible demonstration of the Year of the Girl will be held on June 9 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., when more than 200,000 girls and adult volunteers are expected to gather for the world's largest sing-along called "Girl Scouts Rock the Mall."Music has been an important part of Scouting since its founding 100 years ago, helping girls of all backgrounds bridge cultural differences through the power of music.Editor's note: Get this week's editions of the TIME NEWS to receive more information about Girl Scouts' 100th anniversary.