New Haven Chapter Girl Friends

The Girl Friends Inc.,  is one of the oldest and most highly respected social/civic organizations of African-American women in the United States.  It was founded in New York City in August of 1927 by Eunice Shreeves, a student at Cheney Normal School for Teachers, along with four of her friends.  The following year a group of girl friends in Philadelphia asked to organize a club and call it The Girl Friends and this was soon followed by Baltimore (1930), Boston (1931), New Jersey and New Haven (1932).  The first conference was held in New York in 1933 with 5 of the 6 chapters attending.  On September 23, 1938 the organization was incorporated and the first national officers were elected with Eunice Shreeves, one of the original founding members, elected the first national president.  Although the original concept was purely social, The Girl Friends Inc. has over the years expanded its purpose to include charitable and cultural activities.   Each spring members come together at a Conclave, with chapters in various cities rotating as hosts.  Today, The Girl Friends Inc.'s 42 local chapters in 22 states support a broad spectrum of local causes from schools and art museums to hospitals and drug treatment programs and college scholarships.

The Girl Friend Fund Inc. is the national scholarship fund supported by contributions from Girl Friend Chapters and individual Girl Friends throughout the United States. 

• 2005 New Haven Chapter - National Scholarship Recipient - Aisha Harris

National Officers from New Haven

• 1949 Parliamentarian - Libby Huggins

• 1949 Vice-President - Margaret Gibbs

• 1949-1956 Chatterbox Editor in Chief - Agnes Bolore Clark

• 1934 Historian - Agnes Bolore Clark

Agnes Bolore-Clarke, Founder and First New Haven Chapter President

The New Haven Chapter was founded by Agnes Roberts Bolore Clarke of Hamden, Connecticut.

There were 8 charter members: Agnes Bolore Clarke, Maude Musgrove Davis, Vivian Musgrove, Dorothy Fleming, Edith Fleming, Ardelll Radcliff, Mary Radcliff and Marian Singleton.

The New Haven Chapter was formed in 1932 as part of the national Girl Friends, Incorporated, which started in New York City in 1925.  Agnes founded the club at the urging of a cousin who belonged to the New York City Girl Friends, Inc. 

Agnes was the National Editor in Chief of the Chatterbox for 6 years from 1949-1956 and National Historian in 1964.  New Haven was the sixth chapter in the country.  The primary purpose of the group is to foster friendship and community service.

The New Haven Girl Friends first social event in 1932 was a formal Gingham Ball.  The club also held a Debutante Cotillion each year at the Hotel Taft.  Over the years the chapter has raised thousands of dollars to donate to civic causes.

The New Haven Chapter of The Girl Friends Inc. was founded in 1932. 

New Haven was the 6th chapter to be accepted into the national organization which today numbers over 42 chapters throughout the United States.

Connecticut is home to two chapters of our national organization The Girl Friends, Inc.  The New Haven Chapter was founded in 1932 and draws its members from the New Haven and Hartford county areas.  The Fairfield County Chapter was founded in 1949 serving southwestern Connecticut.