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OUR HISTORY

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.

LOCAL AFFILIATE HISTORY

Girls Inc. of New Hampshire has been serving girls since 1974. We began in the
city of Nashua as a very small Girls Club and have expanded in the last 25 years
to become a statewide organization with centers in Nashua and Manchester. In
addition to our center-based after school and summer camp programs, we deliver
outreach programs in over 30 schools across the state.
We have grown from one of the smallest affiliates in the country to one of the
largest. We are the only affiliate (out of 79) to have an entire state as our territory.
We won the first national award for excellence in leadership.
Annually, we serve approximately 1,000 girls. We have many members who are
the first in their family to obtain their college diploma and break the cycle of
poverty they were raised in. Our doors have been open to girls for 48 years and
not once during that time have we ever turned a girl away for her inability to pay.

Girls Inc. Bill of rights

Although the times and programs have changed, Girls Inc. always has been, and always will be, all about the girls. With a continued commitment and dedication to making a measurable and lasting difference, Girls Inc. is a strong advocate for girls and honors the Girls Inc. Girls Bill of Rights.

View Bill of Rights PDF

1

Girls have the right to be themselves and to resist stereotypes.

2

Girls have the right to express themselves with originality and enthusiasm.

3

Girls have the right to take risks, to strive freely, and to take pride in success.

4

Girls have the right to accept and appreciate their bodies.

5

Girls have the right to have confidence in themselves and to be safe in the world.

6

Girls have the right to prepare for interesting work and economic independence.

I struggled internally for a long time, but through Girls Inc. I learned that my body is a resource, not an object. I began to love and embrace my body.

Briseida