Girls Inc. is a United States 501 nonprofit organization that encourages all girls to be "Strong, Smart, and Bold" through direct service and advocacy. The organization equips girls with the skills to navigate through economic, gender, and social barriers and to grow up as independent individuals. It is one of the longest continuously operating organizations offering girls-only programming.
History
The Girls Inc. movement started in New England after the Civil War to help young women who had migrated from rural communities in search of job opportunities. It was founded in 1864 to help and support girls and young women who were experiencing upheaval in the aftermath of the Civil War. In 1945, fourteen charter Girls Clubs joined together to form a national organization. In 1990 the Girls Club of America changed their name to Girls Incorporated. Across the decades, they adapted to meet specific environmental challenges girls and young women faced, working in partnership with schools and communities.
Founders and creator
There were many people who helped and contributed to the start of Girls Inc, but the most recognized person is Rachel Harris Johnson. In 1919, she became secretary of the Worcester Girls Club, which her mother helped found. She later became the club's president and in 1945 formed a national organization and served as its first president until 1952. Johnson died at the age of 95 in a nursing home.
Local affiliates
The first girls club opened in 1864 and has been nationally recognized since 1945. Girls Inc. has a network of local organizations in the United States and Canada. Affiliates can be found across the United States and Canada. Girls Inc. recently expanded to Chicago, launching a Girls Inc. of Chicago local organization.
Governance
Girls, Inc. is governed by a dual governance structure, which is made up of the National Council and the National Board. The president and CEO of Girls, Inc. is Stephanie Hull, Prior to joining Girls, Inc., she had been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation. She succeeded Judy Vredenburgh, who had been at Girls, Inc. since 2010. The National Council generally makes decisions concerning the purpose, goals, and public policies of the organization. Generally there are almost 300 voting members, but rarely do even most of them come to the meeting. They also elect the National Board, the officers of the Council and the Board Development Committee. They also vote to amend the bylaws of the organization, which requires a two-thirds majority. The council meets every two years and at least 75 delegates must be present for the meeting to be called to order 45 days before each council meeting, the agenda and items to be voted upon are sent out. The National Board must have at least twenty members but no more than forty. The board includes five officers, eight regional representatives, and up to 27 at-large board members. The President/CEO is a voting member on the board. It meets four times a year with the spring meeting being the annual meeting. Eleven members in attendance constitute a quorum. The board acts like the executive committee of a corporation.
Notable supporters
In September 2006, Warren Buffett auctioned his Lincoln Town Car to support Girls Inc. The vehicle sold for $73,200 on eBay. In 2015, Warren Buffett auctioned his Cadillac to support Girls Inc., which sold for $122,500.00 on Proxibid.com. In March 2017, Hillary Clinton was named as the "Champion for Girls" by Girls Inc. at their 2017 New York Luncheon. In February 2013 the DPR Foundation gave the Girls Inc. of Orange County a $30,000 check. The Girls Inc. organization admired the donation and explained how much of an impact it would make for further purchases.
In 1970s, the organization developed a number of programs in six main areas: 1) careers and life planning, 2) health and sexuality, 3) leadership and community action, 4) sports and adventure, 5) self-reliance and life skills, and 6) culture and heritage. As of 2019, it had the following programs:
National Scholars Program - offers scholarships to female high school seniors graduating from affiliate high schools located throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Eureka! Program - combines intensive summer camp experiences in STEM with school-year seminars, field trips, speakers, and activities. Launched in 2010 and funded by Clinton Foundation, it is supported by several universities and corporations.
Economic Literacy - teaches girls about money management and financial independence.
Friendly PEERsuasion - helps girls ages 11 to 14 acquire knowledge, skills, and support systems to avoid substance use.
