Nashville, TN – Today marks the 128th birthday of Josephine Amanda Groves Holloway, a pioneering figure who broke the color barrier for African-American girls in the Girl Scouts of Tennessee. Born in Cowpens, South Carolina, on March 10, 1898, Holloway dedicated her life to ensuring equitable access to scouting for all girls, overcoming significant resistance from the established scouting organizations of her time.
Holloway’s journey began after graduating from Fisk University in 1923, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She initially worked as a Girls’ Worker at the Bethlehem Center, a Nashville settlement house serving at-risk women and girls. Though, she was compelled to resign in 1925 after her marriage, as the center’s director believed a married woman could not adequately fulfill her work obligations.
Undeterred, Holloway’s commitment to scouting resurfaced when her eldest daughter reached six years old in 1933. She petitioned the Nashville Girl Scout Council to establish a segregated troop for African-American girls, but her request was denied due to concerns about the cost of maintaining separate facilities. Instead of accepting this setback, Holloway independently organized unofficial scouting groups, eventually growing to include over 150 girls. She secured handbooks through her husband’s connections and provided comprehensive scouting training, covering laws, promises, and essential skills, despite lacking official support.
Her efforts eventually gained recognition. In 1942, Holloway’s troops were officially registered with the Nashville Girl Scout Council, making her the first African-American Girl Scout executive in Tennessee. She then focused on establishing new troops and securing funding for a campground dedicated to serving African-American Girl Scouts. She continued her work with the Girl Scout Council for two decades, retiring in 1963.
Holloway’s contributions were formally honored by Girl Scouts of the USA in 1955 with the naming of Camp Holloway, and in 1976, she received the “Hidden Heroine” award. Her legacy extends beyond these accolades, as she played a crucial role in integrating the scouting program throughout Nashville and the state of Tennessee. The special collections gallery at the Cumberland Valley Girl Scout Center in Nashville now bears her name, a testament to her lasting impact.
Josephine Groves Holloway passed away on December 7, 1988, in Nashville, at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy of perseverance and inclusivity that continues to inspire generations of Girl Scouts.
