When Zena Pare of Alvaton went to Savannah, Ga., for the anniversary of Juliette Gordon Low starting Girl Scouts of the USA, the 14-year-old said she realized Low wanted to promote girl power.

Zena said girls have the potential to do just about anything, and Girl Scouts helps girls achieve their goals.

“Girl Scouts is a wonderful organization. It has taught me so much,” Zena said. “I have learned about public speaking and beneficial skills for life.”

Zena and about 70 other girls and their moms celebrated Low’s birthday Saturday with a Southern-style tea at the Warren County Public Library’s Bob Kirby Branch. Sue Lewis, who coordinated the event, said Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana represents 66 counties in Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee and is one of the larger scout councils.

The girls also brought pennies for the Juliette Gordon Low World Friendship Fund, which supports new Girl Scout troops around the world.

Low was born on Halloween in 1860 and died Jan. 17, 1927. Lewis said Low sold her pearls at one point in Savannah to help fund the Girl Scouts. 

The tea was in its first year here. “We wanted to start the tradition here,” Lewis said. “They have had teas in other councils.”

Girl Scouts starts in kindergarten and first grade with the Daisies. The Brownies are in second and third grades, the Juniors in fourth and fifth, the Cadets in sixth through eighth, the Seniors in ninth and 10th and the Ambassadors in 11th and 12th grades, Lewis said.

For the library event, Zena wore a 1960s-vintage Girl Scouts uniform with white pearls and a green beret. Girls were dressed in their Sunday best, in a period outfit from 1912 or in uniform.

“I like the interaction with girls sharing the same interests,” said Tammy Johns of Bowling Green, whose daughter, Katelyn, 8, attended the tea with Danielle Smalling, also 8.

Danielle’s mom, Sally, serves as a troop leader.

“She learns a lot about leadership,” Sally Smalling said of Danielle. “They learn how to treat other girls with respect.”

Brooklyn Skaggs, 9, of Smiths Grove, said she enjoys going on field trips and selling cookies.

“It’s really fun.” Brooklyn said.

Brooklyn’s mother, Heather, said the girls learn to be leaders through the Girl Scouts.

“They work together as a team,” Heather Skaggs said. “They learn how to serve others.”

— Follow education reporter Chuck Mason on Twitter at twitter.com/bgdnschools or visit bgdailynews.com.