Sarah Randolph Bailey
Sarah Randolph Bailey | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1885 |
| Died | 1972 (aged 86–87) |
| Occupations | Teacher, principal |
| Organisation | Girl Scouts |
| Awards | Thanks Badge |
Sarah Randolph Bailey (1885–1972) was an American educator and Girl Scout pioneer. Born in Macon, Georgia, she started scouting troops for African-American girls which eventually earned admission to the state organization in Georgia and formal recognition from the national Girl Scouts organization in 1948.
Biography
[edit]Bailey was born in Macon, Georgia in 1885,[1] the daughter of freed slaves.[2] She graduated as "first in her class" in 1901 and began teaching the same year.[3] In 1909 she became principal of the Maryland M Burdell School in Macon.[4] She continued to teach in Macon public schools through 1955.[5]
In 1935, Bailey formed the Girl Reserves consisting of young African-American girls.[3] The Girl Scouts organization in Georgia did not allow black girls membership until 1940.[4] By 1937, 15 groups of Girl Reserves had formed within Macon.[6] The Georgia-based Girl Scouts organization began to permit black troops in 1945 and invited Bailey to join.[6] She also became chairwoman of the Central Committee for Macon's troops,[7] and her troop was formally recognized by the national Girl Scout organization in 1948.[8]
Bailey died in 1972.[1]
Honors and legacy
[edit]In recognition of her work as a troop leader and camp director, Bailey received the Thanks Badge, the highest honor able to be awarded to an adult in Scouting.[9]
- In 1955, Bailey received an award for distinguished service from Fort Valley State University[5]
- In 1961, Camp Sarah Bailey was dedicated in her honor[4]
- In 2012, Bailey was recognized as a Georgia Woman of Achievement[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Black History Month Feb. 24: Sarah Randolph Bailey – desegregated the Girl Scouts". ohiombe.com. February 24, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
- ^ Hutcherson, Lori Lakin (February 15, 2017). "BLACK HISTORY: Sarah Bailey Center in GA Named for Leader Who Organized Black Girl Scout Troops in 1940s". Good Black News. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Sarah Randolph Bailey". Georgia Women of Achievement. 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ^ a b c Bailey-Covin, Nicole (February 1, 2024). "People you should know for Black History Month 2024". 13wmaz.com. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
- ^ a b "Ft. Valley State honors 2 retired Macon teachers". The Washington Afro-American. August 20, 1955. Retrieved March 25, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Farrell, Amy Erdman (October 28, 2025). Intrepid Girls: The Complicated History of the Girl Scouts of the USA. University of North Carolina Press. p. 139. ISBN 9781469686844. Retrieved March 25, 2026.
- ^ Gaines, Jim (August 24, 2014). "Tubman exhibit honors Sarah Bailey, Girl Scout pioneer and educator". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on July 18, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
- ^ Chandler, D.L. (June 23, 2023). "Little Known Black History Fact: Sarah Bailey". BlackAmericaWeb.com. Retrieved March 24, 2026.
- ^ "Bill Text: GA SR1106". legiscan.com. March 7, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2026.