Boston was installed as the fourth chapter of The Girl Friends®, Inc. in January of 1931 having been sponsored by the organization’s second chapter, the Philadelphia Chapter of The Girl Friends®, Inc. GF Gertrude “Toki” Schalk Johnson was the organizer and first president of the Boston chapter. Boston’s Charter Members included Alice Charleston Trigg, sisters Irene O’Banyon Robinson and Eleanor O’Banyon Collins, Evelyn Johnson Cardozo, Lillian “Bali” Schalk Early, Laverne Boyer Thomasson, Dorothy Betts, Edith Brown, and Hattie Gurley.

Boston Girl Friends take pride in having served Girl Friends®, Inc. at the national level. In 1933, GF Irene Robinson was among the group who drafted the national constitution and became the National Treasurer in 1936. GF Edna Center Lofton was one of the signatories on the papers of incorporation for our national organization. In 1956, GF Vera Easterling Riddick Fort was the National President. GF Ogretta McNeil was National Vice President in 1976, when we hosted The Girl Friends®, Inc. National Conclave. GF Cynthia “Cindy” Carter was elected to the National Nominating Committee in 2006, as President of The Girl Friends Fund, Inc. in 2013 and as National Secretary in 2019. GF Kathy Taylor also served on the Girl Friends Fund Board, and GF Karen Holmes Ward was appointed as the National Public Affairs Chair under National President Lynne Rogers. Boston is looking forward to hosting another National Conclave in 2025 under the leadership of Karen Holmes Ward as Chapter President and Cindy Carter as Conclave Chair.

Our annual weekend on Martha’s Vineyard launched during our 75th Anniversary year. ‘GF on MV’, an afternoon of good food and good old-fashioned fun has become a national ‘must do’ attended by GF’s from around the country.

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