Girl Scouts has a long history of being inclusive and serving as a platform for all girls’ voices, regardless of their background. So, it’s not surprising that the first African American Girl Scout troop was founded in 1917—just five years after our inception. This February, in honor of Black History Month, join us as we celebrate all girls as well as historical G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader)™ hard-hitters who inspired true leadership and courage.

Girl Scouts has been an inclusive organization from its inception and, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, the organization was recognized for its contribution to social good.

Marian Wright Edelman—a renowned activist who has been leading the fight for children’s rights for more than 40 years and was the first African American woman admitted to the Mississippi bar.

Ida B. Wells-Barnett was one of the country’s most influential African American journalist, newspaper editor, and leader for women’s suffrage. Her work documenting lynching in the United States brought the horrific crime into the public dialogue, fueling anti-lynching efforts.

Politician and humanitarian Graça Machel is an international leader and advocate for women’s and children’s rights. She is the widow of former South African President Nelson Mandela and former Mozambican President Samora Machel, making her the only woman to have served as first lady of two distinct republics.

American author and activist Coretta Scott King, alongside her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., helped lead the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. After her husband’s tragic death, she took the reins and continued to lead the fight for racial and gender equality. Her actions effectively played a prominent role in civil rights legislation.

Serena Williams’ go-getting attitude and success in professional tennis has led some commentators, players, and sports writers to regard her as the greatest female tennis player of all time—she has been ranked first in the Women’s Tennis Association seven times and was listed as the highest paid female athlete in 2016. Today she continues to be a role model and inspiration for girls everywhere.

Harriet Tubman risked her own life to lead other slaves to freedom through her famous Underground Railroad—it is estimated she helped as many as 300 slaves escape. Her heroic actions made her a wanted woman with the price on her head reaching $40,000. She later went on to work as a nurse and a spy for the Union Army during the Civil War. In 1973, Harriet Tubman was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, and just last year, it was announced that she will be replacing Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill.