The Girl Scout Gold Award is the most prestigious award in the world for innovative, go-getting girls. Only 5% of Girl Scouts meet the rigorous peer review process to earn it. Through their Gold Award, Girl Scouts tackle a local/global issue and create a sustainable solution. Dating back to 1916, the award gives girls a platform to improve their communities—and the world. Before it was renamed in 1980, the Gold Award was previously called the Golden Eaglet of Merit, First Class, and Curved Bar.