Girl Pioneers of America

Founders: Questionable - Mrs. Ernest Seton?

                                            Lina Beard?

                                            Adelia Beard?

​

The Girl Pioneers of America (GPA) was created from the thoughts, ideas and memberships of three girls groups already going; Girl Guides (Spokane, WA), Girl Scouts of America (Des Moines, IA) - not to be confused with the Girl Scout of the United States of America (GSUSA) that survives today, and Camp Fire Girls, which didn't like the way the GPA was developing and dropped out.

​

The GPA notes in the history of their organization in the 1923 official manual that they got their foundation and plan formed in 1910, and their first meeting was on February 8, 1912 in Flushing, NY.

​

Who was the "founder" of GPA? Good question. It's tough to decided when something is created by a committee. At first, Mrs. Ernest Thompson Seton looked poised to be remembered as founder, but the official manual lists Lina Beard as the founder. Yet, when Lina's sister Adelia Beard died, she was noted as the founder/co-founder. Murky history at best.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

The official manual of the Girl Pioneers of America, fourth edition, 1923.

​

​

The uniform was khaki, likely twill  - a completely common fabric for outdoorsy girl groups at the time. Even the styling is similar, middy styled blouse with skirt, red triangular tie, felt hat with a red band and bloomers for camp wear.

Girl Pioneers of America Merit Badges:

​

Animals: Mary Allerton Badge

​

Agriculture: Catherine Carver Badge

​

Art: Martha Jefferson Badge

​

Attendance: Priscilla Alden Badge

​

Birdcraft: Desire Minter Badge

​

Business: Margaret Brent Badge

​

Camping: Mary Moore Badge

​

National Civics: Martha Washington Badge

​

Civics: Anne Hutchinson Badges

​

Cooking: Mary Brewster Badge

​

Entertainment: Anne Bailey Badge

​

Fish: Polly Crockett Badge

​

First Aid: Clara Barton Badge

​

Five Senses (Sight): Mary Bartlett Badge

​

Five Senses (Hearing): Barbara Fritche Badge

​

Five Senses (Tasting): Elizabeth Tilley Badge

​

Five Senses (Smelling): Eliza Wilkinson Badge

​

Five Senses (Touching): Alice Bradford Badge

​

Handicraft: Nancy Lincoln Badge

​

Home Crafts: Elizabeth Kenton Badge

​

Health: Catherine Sevier Badge

​

Invalid Nursing: Barbara Standish Badge

​

Music: Elizabeth Winslow Badge

​

Pioneering: Mary Chilton Badge

​

Patriotism: Molly Pitcher Badge

​

Resourcefulness: Betsy Ross Badge

​

Sports and Games: Rebecca Boone Badge

​

Badges were all named after women and were worn on the right sleeve above the elbow.