Girl Scouts Dream with Martin Luther King, Jr.

January 15, 2003

By Torri Eubanks, staff writer

On August 28, 1963, almost 40 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke out against racial injustice from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. He gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which still resonates today.

"I have dream that this nation will rise up and live out the meaning of its creed…that all men are created equal."

Today, Girl Scouts still share many of Dr. King's dreams and work hard to make those dreams a reality in their local communities. On January 20, 2003—Martin Luther King, Jr., Day—Girl Scouts around the country will commemorate his life and his message through education, parades, and the promotion of diversity everywhere.

In Savannah, Georgia, the home of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low, Girl Scouts are very active in birthday observances for Dr. King. Every year, several Girl Scout troops march in the parade in Savannah's historic city center. Girl Scouts meet to put together ideas for their floats weeks before the parade. In the past, a Girl Scout even contributed the annual theme for the city's yearlong observance. This year's theme is "One Man, One Dream: The Hope for Freedom for All."

In Atlanta, Georgia, many Girl Scout troops visit the King Center, a living memorial established by Mrs. Coretta Scott King. Girls will spend time learning about the impact of Dr. King on their lives today and prepare for Black History Month. In fact, one group of girls will plan a Girl Scout Jubilee in February. The jubilee's theme, "Honoring America's Amazing Diversity," will celebrate African American, Asian American, European American, and American Indian cultures, a triumph of which Dr. King would have been proud.

In Washington, D.C., the nation's capital, Girl Scouts and volunteers support a large Martin Luther King, Jr. breakfast, sponsored by a local nonprofit called the United Planning Organization. Last year, Girl Scout troops in Fort Wayne, Indiana, gathered for a similar commemorative birthday party. The event featured inspirational speakers, a poetry contest, and poetry readings, with participation from Brownie, Junior, and teenage Girl Scouts. Marilyn Armour of Girl Scouts of Limberlost Council says, "The party helped girls discover what Dr. King stood for and what he means to them today."

A Man to Remember

During his lifetime, Dr. King strove to bring people together as equals, celebrate diversity, and promote the values of community. Born on January 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Dr. King became one of the world's preeminent civil rights leaders and led the nation through a peaceful civil rights movement, during a tumultuous time in American history. In 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. On April 4, 1968, he was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.

For more information on how Girl Scouts are observing the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. in your area, contact your local Girl Scout council.