20 September, 1898
TODAY IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY:
Josefa Llanes Escoda, noted civic leader, educator and founder of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (GSP), was born in Dingras, Ilocos Norte. Escoda, who obtained her teaching degree in 1919 at the Philippine Normal School in Manila, was a social worker for the Philippine Chapter of the American Red Cross.
She was sent to undergo training in Girl Scouting in the United States under the sponsorship of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. Upon her return to the country, she began training women to become Girl Scout leaders and eventually proceeded to organize the Girl Scouts of the Philippines. On May 26, 1940, when President Manuel L. Quezon signed the GSP Charter, she became the group’s first National Executive.
(Ref: Philippine News Agency)
