Just as the Girl Scouts of America marked the centennial of its founding in 2012, VCU Libraries secured a significant donation of records and materials from The Girl Scouts Commonwealth Council of Virginia. One of four councils in the state, the Commonwealth Council serves some 12,000 girls and 5,700 adults in 30 counties and the cities of Fredericksburg, Richmond, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Petersburg and Emporia. 

Special Collections and Archives staff has processed and opened the collection for use. Some of the materials soon will be on display on the fourth floor of James Branch Cabell Library. 

"Girl Scouts of the Commonwealth of Virginia: A Century of Leadership, 1913-2013" will be on view beginning Dec. 12 and throughout spring semester 2014. Jordan Conway, a graduate student in the Department of History, has been working as an intern under the direction of Special Collections and Archives staff to curate the exhibit.

It is expected to draw hundreds of scouts, leaders and alumni, including many members of the VCU community.  

This collection is an important addition to existing VCU holdings on African-Amercan and women's history. The centrally located council established first African-American troop in the South. The Girl Scout collection will enhance VCU Libraries' strong archival holdings documenting the history of women in Central Virginia.