Girl Scouting first reached the Kalamazoo area in 1917.  Troops began forming on December 26, 1918, Charter No. 49, signed by Juliette Lowe, was issued to the Kalamazoo Girl Scout Council, which was later renamed Glowing Embers Council.  Dr.  Blanch Epler, is credited with the organization of Girl Scouts in Kalamazoo.  Epler practiced in an office in the Hanselman Building, which was located where the Radisson hotel stands today, and rode around the city on her bicycle.

By 1918, six Girl Scouts troops had formed and came together on a regular basis in various locations in Kalamazoo.   The Northwest Troop met at Woodward School; the Central Troop met at Central High School; Northeast Troop met at North Presbyterian Church; another troop gathered at Normal Training School.  The Normal Senior Troop was composed of physical education students who were being trained to become Girl Scout leaders.  Douglass Community Center was in the process of organizing a troop.

In 1922, the Council expanded to eleven troops, serving 250 girls.  National membership dues were set at 25 cents a year.  Fees were raised to 50 cents in 1922. They Girl Scouts could earn badges in the fields of Homemaker, Producer, Consumer, Citizen, and Human Being.

Because Girl Scouting first began during World War I, the program had a military emphasis. The troops met weekly and held military drills every two weeks.  The girls wore khaki uniforms, participated in military inspections, and marched.  The Girl Scouts even marched in the very first Armistice Day Parade in 1919.
 
The troops were actively involved in the war effort, and spent much of their time aiding American troops and their families. The girls prepared service kits and boxes of candy for local men who had enlisted and did relief work for their families.   

About Girl Scouts
Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls with 3.6 million girl and adult members worldwide. Girl Scouting is the leading authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. The organization serves girls from every corner of the United States and its territories. Girl Scouts of the USA also serves American girls and their classmates attending American or international schools overseas in 90 countries. For more information on how to join, volunteer, reconnect or donate to Girl Scouts, call 800.788.4919.