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.

Girls Inc. of Central Connecticut, established in 1919, has been serving the city of Meriden and central Connecticut for more than a century.

Starting out as the “Meriden Girls Club”, our original programming was held in a rented space on Colony Street in Meriden. With assistance from the Meriden Community Fund (today’s United Way) in 1929, our affiliate experienced significant growth and development, expanding the offering of activities and instruction to girls in the Meriden area. In 1951, after the passing of Mrs. James Platt, her residence at 130 Lincoln Street was bequeathed to the Girls’ Club – a gift we still cherish today. Mrs. Platt gifted the building as a place for girls, in memory of her daughter Margery. Thirty-nine years later, the national organization, Girls’ Clubs of America, changed its legal title to “Girls Inc.” and our affiliate followed.

Our philosophy has evolved from teaching young women homemaking and etiquette skills, to helping girls navigate gender and socio-economic barriers to grow healthy, educated, and independent. Today, carrying our rich history within the community, we are helping to build the new generation of strong, smart, and bold leaders in Connecticut and beyond.