One of the Greats is Gone
Random Things That Don't Fit Anywhere Else Kinda Like Me 5 Comments 
2004 restructure, ann robertson, core business strategy, frances hesselbein, the 80s
Frances Hesselbein passed away at the age of 107 on December 11, 2022. I could not possibly write a tribute worthy enough in my mind, so I’ll just share this one from the University of Pittsburgh and GSUSA’s. You should also read Ann Robertson’s interview with her from 2017.
I never had the honor of meeting Hesselbein, but I feel like I’ve got a personal connection since I consider myself the product of a Hesselbein-led program. I started as a Brownie in 1981 and earned Gold in 1989. And I still believe we should model our current programming after the successful Worlds to Explore one that she implemented during her tenure as National CEO. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Through the years, I referenced Hesselbein a couple of times on this blog in a short series from 2016 that I wrote about the 2004 overhaul (aka the Core Business Strategy). In the course of researching, I was led to read her book My Life in Leadership and later, Hesselbein on Leadership. I don’t remember where I ordered Hesselbein on Leadership from, but imagine my surprise when I opened it up to find that it was autographed by Frances herself!
I wonder who “Alan” is. At one point I speculated that it might be her good friend Alan Mulally (retired CEO of Ford), but I can’t see him giving something like this away. Well, whoever “Alan” is, I thank him for allowing the book to get into my hands! I feel honored to have her autograph – even if it’s not to me. We’ll just pretend it says “To Amy” instead of “To Alan.”
I’ll leave you with a short video from 2011 of a summation of Hesselbein’s legacy and an interview with her. Once a Girl Scout, always a Girl Scout.
I also loved the GS programming under her leadership. I became a leader in the mid 80s and had one of the first Daisy troops in my area. She was an extraordinary person .
I totally agree with you — Frances Hesselbein was an extraordinary person. Before she took the helm of GSUSA, troop leaders were considered “helping mothers”. Mrs. Hesselbein told us that we were responsible for creating the leaders of tomorrow! We were important — and the work we were doing was important. My friend Caroline and I were privileged to meet her in Houston at a restaurant near the convention in 2011. She graciously spoke with us while I conveyed what a role model she had been for me. One of the people that I most admired on planet Earth has died. Bless you Frances Hesselbein for all the wonderful enriching supporting things you did for all of us.
Thank you for your post. It allowed me to read and learn more about this fantastic lady. What an amazing life she lived. While I was not thrilled with most of what she implemented at GSUSA, she is definitely someone to look up to and hold in high esteem. I love her comment about our purpose on earth “to love and to be loved, in that order.” Her philosophy of inclusion, will forever live on. I wonder, who was older Francis Hesselbein or Dorothy Stratton? My prayers of comfort and peace for her family, friends and all who knew her. May she forever rest in peace, she earned it.
What did she implement that you didn’t like?
These are my personal opinions. The top one, changing the brand, the pin, to 3 faces. The second, my mother, and most of the leaders in my area were not able to afford the Halston leader uniform, I remember that being something that just ate at my mom. I graduated in 1981 so am not familiar with her programing, but I am thankful for her use of full inclusion. The loss of both Rockwood and National Center West was a tough pill to swallow. Never met her personally, so I am not speaking ill of her. From what I read, I would have been honored to have met her and to get to speak with her. From what I read, she was upfront about what she was going to do, did it and grew the movement.