Our History
Girls Inc. is the longest-running girls’ leadership organization.
Our Mission
Girls Inc. inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
Our Vision
Powerful girls in an equitable society.
Our Values
Respect the dignity of each human being.
Recognize and support the strength in every girl.
Appreciate, embrace, and advance diversity.
Drive for results anchored in accountability.
Operate collaboratively.
Girls Inc. was founded in 1864 to serve girls and young women who were experiencing upheaval in the aftermath of the Civil War.
Across the decades, we adapted to meet the specific environmental challenges facing girls and young women, always working in partnership with schools and communities, and guided by our founders’ fundamental belief in the inherent potential of each girl. Woven into the early girls’ clubs are the same core values of Girls Inc. today: the importance of creating a welcoming and supportive gathering place for girls to learn and share in a sisterhood, and a deeply held belief that every girl can develop strong character, build self-confidence, and grow up to be healthy, educated, and independent.
Lowell’s History
Girls Inc. of Greater Lowell began changing the lives of girls and young women more than 100 years ago in 1917. Across the decades, the Lowell Girls Club adapted to meet the specific environmental challenges facing girls and young women, always working in partnership with schools and communities, and guided by the fundamental belief in the inherent potential of each girl. Woven into those early girls’ clubs are the same core values of Girls Inc. today: the importance of creating a safe gathering place for girls to learn and to share in a sisterhood and a strong premise that each girl can develop her own capacities, self-confidence, and grow up healthy, educated and independent.
As we advance into our next 100 years, we honor the past by continuing to evolve our curriculum. From our humble early classes in sewing and cooking, we now work rigorously with at-risk girls to boost their self-esteem, increase their interest in math, science, and technology, promote literacy, encourage them to participate in physical activities, introduce them to money management and career development, reduce pregnancy risk, direct them away from drug use, and provide them with a variety of skills and interests that will help them boldly step into the future with confidence, compassion, and awareness.
For 160 years, Girls Inc. National has been evolving with girls.
We not only support girls, we also equip them and give them the opportunity to envision, and then create, a more equitable future.
Girls Inc. is the leading expert on girls.
Working with and on behalf of girls for 160 years has given us unparalleled knowledge and expertise. The Girls Inc. Experience changes the trajectory of girls’ lives and prepares them for lifelong success.
Girls Inc. has served millions of girls across the United States and Canada.
Our participants are equipped with the skills to lead and create positive change in their communities.
Girls’ Bill of Rights
We will always support girls and ensure that their rights are recognized and respected.