Today in Philippine History: The Girl Scouts of the Philippines

MAY 26, 1940

The Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP) was chartered under Philippine Commonwealth Act No. 542 with a mission to help girls and young women realize the ideals of womanhood and prepare themselves for their responsibilities in the home, and to the nation, and the world community. Pilar Hidalgo-Lim and Josefa Llanes Escoda spearheaded the organization of a scouting movement for girls and asked the help of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. In 1939, Escoda left for the U.S. and Great Britain to be trained and with the help of civic groups, the GSP was born. 

Photo credit: http://girlscouts.org.ph/

Today in Philippine History: Pilar Hidalgo-Lim

MAY 24, 1893

Pilar Hidalgo-Lim (May 24, 1893 – December 8, 1973) born in Boac, Marinduque, was an educator and civic leader who spearheaded the women’s suffrage movement. She was married to World War II hero Gen. Vicente Lim. She and Josefa LLanes-Escoda founded the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. The first woman to graduate cum laude in the University of Philippines, Hidalgo-Lim became president of the Centro Escolar University after the war. She sat as a member of the Board of Censors for Motion Pictures, the Parole Board and the Integrity Board.

Photo credit: http://www.atingtahanan.com/