The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-09-03
Mrs. John Shields Coleman and the Girl Scouts

our center-a1l fighting men-during those dreadful times.
 In the meantime when the war was over I pursued my studies again. studying at the Sorbonne-and later going to Bournemouth, England, to join my mother and other members of my family.
 Tt was at Bournemouth that first became interested in the Girl Scouts of America movement through my very pleasant acquaintance with Sir Robert Baden Powell. the father of all scouting. Sir Robert Baden Powell with Juliette Low, a south ern woman by the way, from Savan- nah, Ga. and which should make the movement q great thing in the south had talked the matter over several years before, and genuine interest was shown by the famous scout founder, who urged and inspired the undertaking of Juliette Low.
 "rhe resuK of this conference was that Juliette Low founded the organization to the Girl Guioes of Europe, and when I was in Bourne month Mrs. Hoover, who was a fre- queHt visitor to Sir Robert Baden Powell, with this distinguished leader inspired ny interest in the movement, which has increased as the years have gone by.
 Commissioner For Birmingham Scouts
 Through her friendship with Mrs. Hoover, who has expressed desire to visit Birmingham in the interest of the Girl Scouts as soon as 1t is possible Mrs. Coleman, finding that there was a tremendous interest In the movement here. graciously ac- cepted tho position of "commi ssioner" for the Girl Scouts, which carries with 1t the distinction of president of the Girl Scouts movement of this city.
 Last April the initiative steps were taken for a council In Birming- ham," said Mrs. Coleman, and the result has been far beyond our expectations. This shows that latent interest was here all the while which needed only to be developed by organization. for today there are about 300 members. There are 23 registered troops; 23 regular cap tains and 2s lieutenants.
 "The real foundation of the Girl Scout movement here Is due to tho welfare department of the Tennessee Coal and Iron company. Realizing as this department did. with all of It's efficiency and progressiveness, the importance of the movement, six girls were sent to New York to take the course. Fully equipped, they came back and the Girl Scouts movement was inaugurated in the T. c. l. company's welfare work.
 Receives Letter From Mrs. Hooves Recently Mrs. Coleman received the following very interesting and interested letter from Mrs. Hoover from Washington, In regard to the tpr.lF u1f atr pfn1a an1 h Birmingham.
 Dated August 1, 1922, No. 2s0o IS" Street, Washington, Mrs. Hoover writes to Mrs. Coleman in this man. ner:
 Mrs. John Shields Coleman, Com missioner Girls Scouts, Birmingham, Ala:
 My Dear Mrs. Colman:
 have just returned after some weeks of wandering among the va rious Girl Scouts training camps in the west and find your cordial in- vitation to include Birmingham on my journey.
 I am very disappointed that might not nave had the pleasure of meeting | the Birmingham Girl Scouts, and to see how the movement Is progressing there. but perhaps I may have the | opportunity some other time
 Tt is a great qualification to dis cover another city hitherto ignorant of the Girl Scout movement and all 1t signifies to the girlhood of our country, taking up the work serious | ly and endeavoring to arouse general interest in It. for there Is no doubt in my mind that once this organiza- | tion Is given careful and serious con- sideration It's work win be taken up with enthusiasm.
 With all best wishes for scouting success and many thanks for your l thought of me most sincerely yours,p
 Requires Representative Members
 Mrs. Coleman In referring to the tfact that the Girl Scouts movement