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.’s National organization 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 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.
Girls Inc. of Monroe County’s affiliate history.
Girls Inc. of Monroe County started as the Girls Club of Monroe County in 1974 and incorporated as Girls Inc. of Monroe County in 1991. The organization is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that equips girls to navigate gender, economic, and social barriers and look toward a future where girls and women are empowered and part of an equitable society.
Since 1991, our affiliate has provided vital educational Girls Inc. programming and organized sports leagues to help girls develop the values and skills they need to become confident, productive, and responsible adults. Programs and activities were offered in Monroe County School Corporation and Richland Bean Blossom schools, at our main center and gymnasium, and with other agencies throughout Monroe County.
Girls Inc. of Monroe County was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, staff did not have a safe way to deliver programming. This forced the organization to suspend operations and move in a new direction. After completing a needs analysis and working with Girls Inc.’s national organization, it was decided that Girls Inc. of Monroe County would be acquired by sister affiliate, Girls Inc. of Shelbyville & Shelby County. Under a new operations model, Girls Inc. of Monroe County will continue to serve and reach as many girls as possible with impactful, life-changing programming.
In 2022, Girls Inc. of Monroe County was able to fully reopen and begin serving girls again through a variety of evening programs, pop-up events, school break camps, and after-school programming. In 2023, the center begin partnering with local Monroe County schools to provide educational and self-esteem-building school-based programs, and has been doing so ever since. Looking forward, Girls Inc. of Monroe County hopes to continue to provide our center-based programs and serve more schools to reach even more girls in our community.
For over 50 years, Girls Inc. of Monroe 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. From when our doors opened in 1974 to now, serving girls has always been our top priority.
Girls Inc. has always been the leading expert on girls.
Working with and on behalf of girls for 50 years has given us unparalleled knowledge and expertise. The Girls Inc. Experience changes the trajectory of girls’ lives and prepares them for lifelong success. In 2021, our center underwent construction to pivot towards a new direction, aligning more closely with today’s needs of girls.
Girls Inc. has served hundreds of girls across Monroe County.
In 2023, Girls Inc. launched our school-based program service delivery model. We can now proudly say our center serves approximately 400 girls with impact annually. 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.