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 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.
For 160 years, Girls Inc. 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. of Upper Canada’s Affiliate History
We were incorporated in 1979 as Big Sisters Association of Leeds and Grenville. Following a merger between Big Sisters of Canada, Big Brothers of Canada and Big Sisters Association of Ontario our organization made a decision to continue providing gender specific programming under the Girls Incorporated umbrella. Our membership and Board of Directors chose Girls Incorporated because of its close fit in philosophy, programs, and mission.
As a Girls Inc. member organization, we remain committed to being the community leader of girls’ services through quality group programs and mentoring. We look for ongoing opportunities to reach girls in every community. We are pleased that United Way has provided continual funding to help support Big Sisters and now Girls Inc. since 1980.
Girls’ Bill of Rights
We will always support girls and ensure that their rights are recognized and respected.