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.’s History in Santa Fe

In Santa Fe, the movement to serve girls and young women took root in the 1950s. In early 1955, the Junior Welfare Association proposed “Project Girls Club.” Later that year the Girls Club of Santa Fe opened its doors. On May 21, 1956, a mere seven months after its founding, the national organization accepted Santa Fe as an affiliate. In 1959, General Patrick Jay Hurley and Ruth Wilson Hurley donated their home at Hillside Avenue to Girls Inc. of Santa Fe, where we have been serving Santa Fe girls ever since.

Since opening our doors, Girls Inc. of Santa Fe has inspired girls to be Strong, Smart and Bold. We provide girls throughout Santa Fe with life-changing experiences and real solutions to the unique issues girls face. Girls Inc. gives girls the tools and support they need to succeed, including trained professionals who mentor and guide them in a safe, girls-only environment; peers who share their drive and aspirations; and research-based programming. At Girls Inc., girls learn to set and achieve goals, boldly confront challenges, resist peer pressure, and see college as attainable. Our programming focuses on healthy living (Strong); academic enrichment and support (Smart); and life skills and independence (Bold).