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November 20, 2008

Girls Inc. celebrates 95th anniversary: Since 1913, it's been a safe place for Haverhill's girls

By Cara Spilsbury

<Kicker>Girls, Inc. 95th anniversary</Kicker>

It was girls' night out at the Galleria Function Room at Maria's Restaurant on Monday as women of all ages — and a few supportive men from the community — celebrated 95 years of Girls, Inc.

The event was to honor the past, present and future of the club, which has exclusively served girls in Haverhill, giving them a safe place to grow, gain confidence, meet friends and learn life skills.

In 95 years, the club has grown and adapted to the needs of the girls around it, said Executive Director Nancy Adams.

The military drills, etiquette classes and tea parties of the past have been replaced by economic literacy, health and fitness programs, media training and math, science and technology enrichment.

What hasn't changed is the organization's dedication to Haverhill's women of tomorrow, Adams said.

Everyone in attendance, most wearing the signature red of the organization, seemed to have a Girls, Inc. story. Some memories dated to when the group was known as the Girls Club.

Whether they were staff members, board members, former club members or current Girls, Inc. participants, their love for the organization runs deep.

Krystine Hetel, a member of the Girls, Inc. board, attended the club from first to fifth grade and learned everything from baking to reading, activities that Hetel enjoys today.

"When I was a young girl, it was a place where I felt safe," she said. "How many safe places do we really have anymore?"

For Hetel, it was a sanctuary and she's glad to see it has continued for so many years and that so many other girls can have a similar experience.

"It's a fabulous place, and being on the board is one of my proudest accomplishments," said Hetel, who used to serve on the Haverhill City Council. "We have to do what we can to help the girls of our community."

Colleen McGonagle, Haverhill state Rep. Brian Dempsey's chief of staff, worked at Girls, Inc. when she was 27.

"I'm so in love with this organization," McGonagle said. "It's a treasure in this city."

She made lifelong connections and friends at the organization. Last month, McGonagle attended the wedding of a woman who attended Girls, Inc. while she worked there. During the reception, McGonagle sat at a table with former members and staff reminiscing about their days at the club, cooking supper, taking charm class and playing floor hockey and other sports at the Boys Club.

"It was one of the best experiences of my life," she said. "It was a nice place for girls to go and feel comfortable. It was a very accepting, nonthreatening environment."

The Haverhill Girls Club began in 1913 when the city's young female factory workers wanted a place to go after work, on their lunch breaks and on weekends. It is the fourth-oldest club for girls in the United States.

They bounced around from Merrimack Street to Winter Street to Emerson Street to Howe Street until 1941 when Andrew Christie purchased a building at 7 William St. for the club in honor of the birth of his daughter, Jane.

Monday night, Jane Christie attended the anniversary event proudly.

"My father was all about giving opportunities to women in every kind of way," remembered Christie, whose photo as a 6-month-old still hangs at Girls, Inc. "He used to bring me to the Girls Club when I was little. I'm so excited that the place is still there."

After Girls, Inc. received declarations from the offices of Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Dempsey and state Sen. Steven Baddour, Adams walked through the banquet room and mingled with supporters. She was touched to see all the people who came out for the 95th anniversary of her organization.

"This is why a group like this can survive for so long," Adams said. "We're very fortunate for the support, and I think this really speaks to how important girls are to this community."

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