National History

 

Nationally recognized as a premier female youth service organization in the United States, Girls Incorporated, previously known as Girls Clubs of America (GCA), has been empowering girls for decades with skills to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential.

 

A “home away from home” for a quarter of a million girls ages 6–18; Girls Incorporated is much more than a recreation center or day care. It is a place for girls to learn and believe that they are important, capable and responsible for their future, regardless of race, religion, gender, or economic background. The results speak for themselves.

The Girls Club movement started just after the Civil War as a direct response to the needs of many young girls flooding cities in search of job opportunities. These clubs acted as social centers to provide safe gathering places for the 19th and early 20th centuries many such clubs were formed around the country. On May 18th, 1945, representatives of 19 clubs adopted by-laws and with assets of $72.64 created GCA. The First Lady, Mrs. Dwight D. Eisenhower, began one of the most noted traditions in 1953 when she became the first honorary chairperson of GCA.

 

For more than fifty years, since its beginning as GCA, Girls Incorporated’s unique approach sets it apart from other youth agencies. Always in sync with the changing attitudes and concerns of the day, its singular objective – helping girls grow into healthy, happy, and responsible adults (hence the slogan, growing up is serious business) – has not wavered in fifty years. This is why the organization elected to change it's name to Girls Incorporated in April of 1990 – distinguishing itself from Boys Clubs of America, which planned to be known as Boys and Girls Clubs of America, only a few months later.

 

“Being able to exchange ideas among female peers and role models is very important for a young girls’ development,” explained David Gottlieb, Ph.D., editor of the quarterly journal, Youth and Society. “This is true for developing math and science skills and an interest in athletics as in addressing sensitive subjects like pregnancy and sexual abuse.”

 

Nationally headquartered in New York City, Girls Incorporated is known for its superior programs, which have been widely acclaimed as the most effective at dealing with social issues that impact girls’ lives. These programs are developed through extensive research and evaluation at Girls Incorporated’s National Resource Center, the first and only such center for girls.

 

For more information about Girls Incorporated, visit our national web site at www.girlsinc.org.