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

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

The GA Ideals were "Abiding in Him through prayer, advancing in wisdom by Bible study, acknowledging my stewardship, adorning myself with good works, accepting the challenge of the Great Commission." Girls recited this statement in their meetings where they studied denominational work, and SBC leaders, memorized scripture, and participated in service projects.

GA Allegiance was "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 were green, white, and gold.

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.

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 Junior YWAs: total of 173, 59 of which are new.
1914	Organization named Girls' Auxiliary. WMU at Annual Meeting adopted name Girls' Auxiliary. October issue, first issue, of Royal Service (and subsequent issues) has program suggestions for Girls' Auxiliary.
1915	GA green and white pin was introduced
1919	First mission study certificate awarded
1922	World Comrades was introduced as a quarterly publication for Sunbeam Bands, Royal Ambassadors and Girls' Auxiliary. In October 1924, World Comrades became a monthly publication.
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.
1930	GA Focus Week began with the first GA Focus Week being August 11-17, 19930. From 1930 through 1949, GA Focus Week rotated between a week in February, May, and August with YWA and Sunbeams. From 1950 through 1970 when it ended, GA Focus Week was the second full week in May.
1933	Queen with a Sceptre and Queen Regent steps were introduced for Intermediate GAs.
1935	Focus Week for Girls' Auxiliary was begun.
1940s	WMU published first Coronation Service
1950	Christmas in August begun.
1950s	WMU produced and marketed the crown, sceptre, and cape. The regalia was already made by GAs as suggested in the literature.
1953	Tell was introduced as a Mission Magazine for Girls
1970	Junior Girls' Auxiliary became Girls in Action® for girls aged 6-11. Intermediate Girls' Auxiliary became Acteens® for girls aged 12-17. Discovery was introduced as the monthly magazine for Girls in Action, and Aware as the quarterly magazine for leaders. Accent was introduced as the monthly magazine for Acteens with a leadership edition for member leaders and adult leaders. Missions Adventures for Girls in Action and Studiact for Acteens replaced Forward Steps. Acteens who achieved Studiact levels of Queen, Queen with a Sceptre, Queen Regent, and Queen Regent in Service were presented with (in respective order) crown, sceptre, pin, medallion, and Bible. Members of Girls in Action who completed Missions Adventures received a badge for each level of achievement. Upon completion of all six Adventures, a pendant was awarded. Missions Adventures began with three Adventures. In 1981 three additional Adventures were added with each of the six Adventures (Adventure 1, Adventure 2, Adventure 3, Adventure 4, Adventure 5, Adventure 6) designed for one grade level each.
1995	GA World was introduced as the magazine for older members of Girls in Action, with Discovery becoming the magazine for younger members of Girls in Action.
1997	Missions Adventures became WorldVenturesSM. Girls complete six WorldVentures - WorldVenture 1, WorldVenture 2, WorldVenture 3, WorldVenture 4, WorldVenture 5, WorldVenture 6 (one level for each grade). Charms representing the continents of the world are awarded for charm bracelet upon completion of each book.
2003	In January, Scripture verses, motto, and pledge were approved for Girls in Action. They were: GA® Scripture verse: "Give thanks to the lord. Worship him. Tell the nations what he has done. Announce how honored he is" (Isa. 12:4 NIrV). GA Lifestyle verse: "The Lord has shown you what is good. He has told you what he requires of you. You must treat people fairly. You must love others faithfully. And you must be very careful to live the way your God wants you to" (Mic. 6:8 NIrV). GA Motto: Go Forward! GA Pledge: As a GA, I will do my best to live a missions lifestyle that honors God by learning about missions, praying for missions, giving to missions, doing missions, and participating in the work of the church. In September, Accent magazine was replaced with a new magazine for Acteens named The Mag (Missions Awareness and Growth)

In 1933 two additional steps were added: Queen-with-a-Scepter and Queen Regent. Previously the highest step was Queen. The two new steps were for Intermediate GA's only.

The earliest separate materials (non-magazine) that WMU described Forward Steps are from the late 1930's and early 1940s. 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 are 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 at Coronation or Presentation Services to the girls who were passed by the Review Council and participated in the service. The Emblems are 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 may have ordered a Forward Steps link bracelet with Queenly Quest charm. When a Junior completes the step of Maiden, she would wear 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 is 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.

In churches, associations, and at state camps and house parties, girls received their awards fro Forward Steps work in Coronation or Presentation Services. In these services, the girls shared with the audience the many things they had learned and done while going through the program. A Coronation was held for anyone to receive recognition for Queen or above; otherwise, a Presentation Service was held to award those who completed work for Maiden through Princess.