In 1927, a group of extraordinary women came together around a simple but powerful idea: friendship. Not as a passing sentiment, but as a foundation — for community, for service, for mutual uplift. From that beginning, The Girl Friends, Inc. grew into one of the most enduring and distinguished organizations of Black women in the United States.
Now, as we approach our centennial in 2027, we are embarking on an effort to gather, preserve, and celebrate the full breadth of our history. And we need your help.
Our Story Lives in Your Hands
One hundred years of history cannot be found in any single archive. It lives in the memories of Girl Friends past and present. It lives in the photographs tucked into albums and shoeboxes. It lives in the programs from long-ago events, the handwritten notes between friends, and the stories told over dinner tables for decades.
Some of you may have a photograph of your mother or grandmother at a Girl Friends gathering. Some of you may have heard stories about the early chapters, the traditions that shaped the organization, or the women whose contributions have never been formally recorded. Some of you may hold just a single detail — a name, a date, an anecdote — that could fill a gap in our collective memory.
Every piece matters.
What We Are Looking For
We welcome any materials that help tell the story of The Girl Friends, Inc. across the decades:
- Photographs — from events, gatherings, community service, or candid moments of friendship
- Personal stories and recollections — about what it meant (or means) to be a Girl Friend
- Documents and memorabilia — programs, invitations, correspondence, newspaper clippings, or chapter records
- Oral histories — memories passed down from mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and friends
Whether it is a single photograph or an entire collection, whether the memory is vivid or fragmentary — we want to hear from you.
How to Share
We have made it easy to contribute. You can submit your photos, stories, and materials directly through our website at thegirlfriendsinc.org.
You may also email your contributions to joelle@interactiontraction.com. Please include any context you can — names, dates, chapter affiliations, or the story behind the photograph or item.
Why This Matters Now
History has a way of slipping through our fingers if we do not take care to hold onto it. As our centennial approaches, this is our moment to ensure that the full, rich, layered story of The Girl Friends is documented and celebrated — not just for us, but for the generations of Girl Friends who will follow.
You do not need to have a complete history to contribute. You just need to share what you have. Together, the fragments become something whole.
Help us tell the story of one hundred years of friendship. Because this story belongs to all of us.
The Girl Friends, Inc. — Celebrating 100 Years of Friendship.