Our History
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta is the longest-running girls’ leadership organization in the Wood Buffalo region since 1979.
Our Mission
To inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.
Our Vision
Powerful girls in an equitable society.
We envision a world in which all girls value their whole selves, discover their strengths and achieve their goals.
Our Values
Respect the dignity of each human being.
Recognize and support the strength in every girl.
Appreciate, embrace, and advance diversity.
Drive for results anchored in accountability.
Operate collaboratively.
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta is the only registered charity in the Wood Buffalo region providing 100% cost-free and gender-specific programming to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Originally established as Fort McMurray Big Sisters Society, we became affiliated with Girls Inc. National (read more below) in 2004 in order to advocate the fact that girls go through unique and different sets of experiences and that there is a strong need to continue to provide a safe and pro-girl learning environment.
Girls Inc. of Northern Alberta serves communities all over the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo to deliver our programs and positively influence girls’ lives.
Learn more about Girls Inc. and when it began in the US
Girls Inc. was originally founded in 1864 to serve girls and young women in the United States 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.
For 160 years, Girls Inc. has been evolving with girls.
We not only support girls, we also equip them and give them the opportunity to envision, and then create, a more equitable future.
Girls Inc. is the leading expert on girls.
Working with and on behalf of girls for 160 years has given us unparalleled knowledge and expertise. The Girls Inc. Experience changes the trajectory of girls’ lives and prepares them for lifelong success.
Girls Inc. has served millions of girls across the United States and Canada.
Our participants are equipped with the skills to lead and create positive change in their communities.
Girls’ Bill of Rights
We will always support girls and ensure that their rights are recognized and respected.