Girls Inc. movement started in New England during the Industrial Revolution as a response to the needs of a new working class: young women who had migrated from rural communities in search of newly available job opportunities in textile mills and factories.

For years, these centers popped up around the country, were loosely affiliated with one another, and served as warm, friendly places where girls could forget their troubles by performing plays, making their own dresses and hats, dancing, and making lasting friendships.

On May 18, 1945, representatives of 19 interested organizations met in Springfield to form Girls Clubs of America. Programming in the early days was focused on recreation and on preparing girls for their future roles as wives and homemakers.

In the early 1970s - responding to the powerful challenges of the civil rights movement, the women's movement, the flood of women entering the workforce, and the adolescent turbulence of the times - the organization began to change its mission. Girls Inc. took on the role of activist.

First, Girls Inc. took on the responsibility of increasing knowledge about girls and the issues that most affected them. We began to organize conferences convening national experts, practitioners and policy makers to identify major issues and recommend a joint agenda for action. We also started the Girls Incorporated National Resource Center in Indianapolis.

From the knowledge we gathered, we developed a series of programs designed to target the most pressing issues affecting girls. We developed approaches in six program areas - careers and life planning; health and sexuality; leadership and community action; sports and adventure; self-reliance and life skills; and culture and heritage.

Girls Incorporated of the Island City is proud to be a local affiliate of this national nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold^SM. You can read about the history of our local chapter on Our Herstory page.