GA Emblem

The GA watchword "Arise, shine, for thy light is come" (Isa. 60:1) was designated in 1924.

The first GA hymn was "We've a Story to Tell."

The GA Star Ideals were:
Abiding in Him through prayer,
Advancing in wisdom by Bible study,
Acknowledging my stewardship,
Adorning myself with good works, and
Accepting the challenge of the Great Commission.

The following allegiance statement in their meetings where they studied denominational work, and SBC leaders, memorized Scripture passages, and participated in service projects:

GA Allegiance
Knowing that countless people grope in darkness and giving attention to his commands, I assert my allegiance to Jesus Christ, to his church and its activities, attempting with God's help to abide in him through prayer, to advance in wisdom by Bible study, to acknowledge my stewardship of time, money, and personality, to adorn myself with good works, and to accept the challenge of the Great Commission.

GA Colors
Green, white, and gold. (See under "GA Emblem" for significance of colors.)

GA Emblem
The emblem was a white star bearing the gold GA monogram and enclosed by a green octagon edged with gold. The star represented the Star Ideals. The colors of the GA emblem were meaningful—the green was for growth; the white for purity; and the gold for sincerity.

World Comrades was the first magazine for GAs, RAs, and Sunbeams. In 1953, Tell was published specifically for GAs. In 1970, Tell became Discovery and in 1995, WMU began publishing GA World for younger GAs, in grades 1–3.

     

1909	Organization for girls was begun. Committee on YWA Work recommended that girls 12–16 be organized into Junior YWAs. October 1909, first program for Junior YWA appears in Our Mission Fields.
1912	Organizations for girls are called Junior Auxiliaries instead of Junior YWA in Our Missions Fields.
1913	In reports on organizations and membership, several states report separate organizations for girls aged 12–16. The year 1913 is claimed as the official founding.
1914	Organization named Girls' Auxiliary. WMU at Annual Meeting adopted name Girls' Auxiliary. The first issue of Royal Service in October 1914 (and subsequent issues) had program suggestions for Girls' Auxiliary.
1915	GA green and white pin was introduced
1919	First mission study certificate awarded
1924	Watchword, hymn, and Star Ideals introduced. GAs split into two groups: Junior GAs were aged 9–12 and Intermediate GAs were aged 13–17.
1928	Forward Steps introduced. Four steps and armbands awarded. Churches adapted the armbands to headbands, which lead to crowns.
1933	Queen with a Scepter and Queen Regent steps were introduced for Intermediate GAs.
1940s	WMU published first Coronation Service.
1950s	WMU produced and marketed the crown, scepter, and cape. The regalia was already made by GAs as suggested in the literature.
1953	Tell was introduced as a missions magazine for girls
1963	Girls' Auxiliary celebrated its 50th Anniversary. Three national conventions were held in Memphis, Tennessee with a total of 21,533 girls and their leaders attending.
1970	Girls' Auxiliary becomes Girls in Action for girls 6–11. Intermediate GAs becomes Acteens. Studiact replaces the Forward Steps for these older girls; Missions Adventures replaces Forward Steps for younger girls. Crown, scepter, pin, medallion, and Bible were presented to those who achieved (in respective order) Queen, Queen with a Scepter, Queen Regent, and Queen Regent in Service. GAs complete Missions Adventures and receive a badge for each level of achievement. Upon completion of all six Adventures, a pendant is awarded. Note: Missions Adventures began for older GAs and in the 1980s was begun for younger GAs as well. An update (revision) was also produced.
1995	GA World was introduced as the magazine for older members of Girls in Action (grades 4–6), with Discovery becoming the magazine for younger members of Girls in Action (grades 1–3).
1997	MissionsQuest replaces Studiact. The quests are: Quest for Confidence (7th-graders), rewarded with cross pendant; Quest for Courage (8th-graders), rewarded with icthus ring; Quest for Creativity (9th-graders), rewarded with world pendant; Quest for Character (10th-graders), rewarded with devotional book, Character Questions; Quest for Excellence (11th-graders), rewarded with journal, Quest Reflections; and Quest for Vision (12th-graders), rewarded with a MissionsQuest Bible.
1997	Missions Adventures became World Ventures. Girls complete six activity books (one in each grade). Charms are awarded for charm bracelet upon completion of each book.
2003	GA celebrates 90th anniversary with suggestions for a birthday celebration, a search for the oldest living GA, and the establishment of the Dr. Martha Myers GA Alumna of Distinction Award.
2006	MissionsQuest program is revamped and materials are available through the Acteens Web site in a downloadable format.

Forward Steps Scripture Memorization Requirements
Studying and memorizing Scripture verses were key elements of Forward Steps. The following are some (not all) of the Forward Step requirements pertaining to studying the Scriptures:

Maiden
Lady-in-Waiting
Princess
Queen
Queen in Service (Optional Step)
Queen with a Scepter
Queen Regent
Queen Regent in Service

In the mid-1950s manuals and leadership guides were rewritten and Forward Steps were given more details and attention. In 1967 separate handbooks regarding Forward Steps appeared.

In Junior Girls' Auxiliary, the steps were Maiden, Lady-in-Waiting, Princess, Queen, and the optional step, Queen in Service. Intermediate GAs worked towards Queen, Queen with a Scepter, Queen Regent, and the optional step, Queen Regent-in-Service.

Reviewing councils were established and appointed by the church WMU President. These adults reviewed completed work of the requirements for each step and either passed them to the next level or mentored them until they were able to complete the step.

Forward Step emblems were usually awarded to the girls at Coronation or Presentation Services, after the girls work was approved by the Review Council.

Emblems were as follows:
Maiden: Green Octagon

Lady-in-Waiting: White Star

Princess: Gold GA Monogram

Queen: Add Gold Circlet

Completed Emblem

When a GA began her Forward Steps, a counselor could order a Forward Steps link bracelet with Queenly Quest charm. When a Junior GA completed the step of Maiden, she would add the octagon shaped charm. When she passed the requirements for Lady-in-Waiting she added the white star charm. Completion of the Princess requirements added a GA star. When she became a Queen, the girl then added a complete emblem to the bracelet.

A Queen-in-Service added a crown charm. When the requirements for Queen-with-a-Scepter work was complete, a girl could order a gold scepter, the Queen-with-a-Scepter pin, and a charm that was a replica of the pin. After the state WMU office approved a girl's work for Queen Regent, she received her cape and cape charm. A Queen Regent-in-Service received a globe charm.