It has been a tremendous privilege writing the biography of Juliette Gordon Low. I have enjoyed every minute of the time I’ve spent talking with people about the Founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA. I am really looking forward to the publication of the paperback a few days from now and to the paperback book tour which will follow in early February. I hope my biography has helped Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts learn more about the contours of Daisy Low’s interesting life and how she and her organization fit into the larger tapestry of U.S. history.
Juliette Low loved new technologies and in her spirit, I embarked on the adventure of blogging while I completed the book. On 22 June 2010, I commenced by asking the question “Why This Blog?” There, in my first post, I wrote that “I hope this blog will be a chronicle of the writing process, a way to share discoveries with readers and to learn from your comments.” Two years and seven months later, the blog has done all that–and so much more. It would be difficult to convey how much I have appreciated the questions, the prodding, and the cheerleading from all of you who read and commented on my blog. I’ve said it before, but from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
My blog appeared on http://juliettegordonlow.blogspot.com until October 2011, when I moved it over to my new website, www.stacycordery.com. That was also the moment I stepped into the big world of Facebook. That has been an education! I will continue to post at my Stacy Cordery, Author Facebook page, where I can put photos from the book tour, news of good things happening in the world of Girl Scouting, and soon, news about my new book project.
Yes, it’s time for me to move on. I am a lifelong, card-carrying member of the GSUSA and a lifelong fan of Daisy Low–but I am also a professional writer and a college professor and it’s time to begin my fifth book.
What can you do to spread the word about Juliette Gordon Low, to help her take her rightful place in social studies and history textbooks? You can buy my book! Really–the sales of my biography will help pave the way for other authors and historians because their potential publishers will first ask how the sales (read: interest) were on my book. If Juliette Gordon Low: The Remarkable Founder of the Girl Scouts sells well, then publishers will perceive a reading audience out there and will be more likely to take a gamble on the next book about Low or Girl Scouts. If you don’t own a copy, please consider purchasing one, and then buy another to give to troop leaders, Council members, nursing homes, your local library–I would like every American to know all about Juliette Gordon Low.
You can read through my blog. I will leave it up and accessible through www.stacycordery.com. If you have questions, write and I’ll do my best to answer them.
You can get involved with your own Girl Scout Council. There will be a group of historians and archivists who surely could use your energy and time. Girl Scouting will take its rightful place in the history books once the raw data of Girl Scouting history–documents, photographs, diaries, account books, pamphlets, newspaper clippings, oral interviews–are preserved and made available to the public.
You can go see every Girl Scout exhibit out there. There’s almost certainly a group of dedicated and enthusiastic Girl Scouts behind it who are bubbling over with joy in the telling of their story. They need you (your troop, your class of students, your church group, your book club) to be an audience.
You can visit the fabulous Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace in Savannah, Georgia. It is an exceptional experience. Learn about Daisy and her world by walking in her footsteps, seeing her home, understanding her world from the inside out. While you are there, take time to thank the incredible docents and the hardworking, committed staff led by Fran Harold and Katherine Keena–two women who know everything there is to know about Daisy Low and who are thrilled to share it. While you are in Savannah, go see the Girl Scout First Headquarters and the Andrew Low House. And before you leave, consider helping the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace continue its good work by becoming a member of the Birthplace Circle of Friends, as I have.
It is a bittersweet moment for me–bringing this blog to a close. But, as Juliette herself reportedly said, “The work of today is the history of tomorrow, and we are its makers.” I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the life of Juliette Gordon Low, and to have met so many lovely women and men who share my passion. But my work on Daisy Low is now, well, the history of tomorrow. I hope it has/will prove helpful.
And since a Girl Scout is honest and fair…
Katherine Knapp Keena, I could not have written this book without your guidance, your patience, your wisdom. Your sense of humor buoyed me when I was sinking. Your support made all the difference, every day. You truly were the midwife for the biography. I remain so, so grateful. This public thanks is only a downpayment on my tremendous debt to you.
Fran Harold and Katherine Keena
Thanks for taking us on this journey. I hope you can come to the first GSUSA Chartered Council soon.
Yours in Scouting,
Marianne
Marianne–thanks very much, for your comments and for following the blog. I hope that I will always find ways to spread the word about Juliette Low–speaking and lecturing are about my favorite ways. I’d love to come to the GSUSA Chartered Council gathering!
I have been following you ever since I saw you on CNBC (I think) talking about your book. My daughter is a junior in high school and has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten. Best thing that ever happened to her. Thanks for telling the world about Daisy and her Girl Scouts!
Thanks a million, Julie, for your kind comments. How awesome that your daughter is such a long-time Girl Scout—I put that down to her having an awesome mother!
You made me cry! thanks for the sweet words, and of course for sending people to the Birthplace!
Oh, Katherine—make new friends and keep the old.
<3
Stacy, I have so enjoyed this journey with Juliette Low through your eyes. You have been a great teacher, mentor and researcher. Bravo for a job well done. We will miss you.
Christie! There are no better words to an author than yours above. Thank you so much—
Thank you so much for all of the insight you have shared both in the book and on this blog – I feel like a got a “bonus” book just by stopping by here and reading your posts!
I can’t wait to see what your next project will be!
Thanks, Kris! It certainly felt like a whole book-on-the-side. I am really glad to know that you have enjoyed it. Thanks for writing to tell me so.
Thanks, Stacy, for writing such a great book about our Great-Aunt Daisy. Hope I’ll meet you in NYC or elsewhere sometime this year! Looking forward to seeing the paperback. All the best.
It has been my great honor, Margaret. Part of the marvel of a book like this is interacting with people like you. I share your hope that we meet soon!
While we read and re-read about Juliette, we will look forward with anticipation to your next book. It will be interesting to see what direction this experience will lead you. So many doors yet to be opened. Best wishes,
Sue
Thank you, Sue! I’ll post on the Stacy Cordery, Author Facebook page once I settle on a topic. Meanwhile, there’s still lots to say about Juliette Low and I am really looking forward to the February talks. Thanks for your support!
I am currently slowly reading my copy of your book so I can savor every bit! I also bought a copy for my GS co-leader! I have so enjoyed reading your blog and learning such interesting things about JGL and her life. we took our troop to Savannah 2 years ago and I can picture many of the scenes as I read now!
Thanks for all your hard work to make Juliette come alive for all of us who admire her so!
Best of luck to you in your future endeavors!
Oh, Karen–how very nice of you. Thank you so much for your note and your good wishes. I agree that visiting Savannah does help to make Daisy’s world come alive, and I recommend it to everyone–Girl Scouts and non-Girl Scouts alike because the city is so beautiful. But once there, the Birthplace and the Low Home are must-sees. Thanks again for all your support, Karen.
Stacy
You have opened my eyes to so much over the last couple of years. From my almost total ignorance of the history of Wellesbourne House where I work, you have enriched all our lives to the fascinating historical relevance of the house and its significance both in the context of the Warwickshire town of Wellesbourne and to the whole of the USA. As you know I am still trying to have Wellesbourne House’s historical significance recognised by the town council here with a “Blue” plaque. Local bureaucracy works very slowly though over here so don’t hold your breath.
For Juliette Low to be posthumously honoured by The President of the USA is quite simply amazing and further recognition of her importance in World history. I’m sure that your efforts via your book, this blog and your many lectures made during your book tours around the country have added greatly in making people aware of Juliette’s massive contribution to the status of women of the USA.
In my small way I also hope that I’ve enhanced people’s appreciation and understanding of Juliette’s earlier life in England with my photo website.
In addition to learning about Juliette Low though I’ve learnt so much more about the geography of the USA by researching the places you’ve visited, and plan on visiting, on your book tour travels. That was certainly another huge eye opener for me.
Finally I’m looking forwards to learning much more about the USA in your future book projects – whatever they may be.
Thank you.
Clive Hanley
Oh, Clive–you are the greatest! I know that all fans of Daisy Low have benefitted from your amazing photos of her home and neighborhood in England. And one of the best things about research is getting to meet people like you, and those to whom you introduced me. Thank you for your kind words and for taking the time to write. I hope the next book will live up to your expectations!