A brief history of the girls’ brigade
The Girls' Brigade was formed in July 1965 by the coming together of the following three organisations
The Girls' Brigade (Ireland) was formed in Dublin in 1893 on twin pillars, Bible Class and Physical Training, and had as its aim "The extension of Christ's Kingdom among girls". Membership at the time of union was 8,000.
The Girls' Guildry was a church-centred organisation, founded in Scotland in 1900, providing programmes for four age groups.
Its varied activities were aimed at helping girls to become mature Christian women.
The movement was interdenominational and international, with a strong
emphasis on service to others.
Membership at the time of union was 35,000.
The Girls' Life Brigade which was founded in England in 1902 by the National Sunday School Union (now known as the National Christian Education Council)
was a church-based international movement, with a varied programme for four age groups. Its aim was "To help and encourage girls to become responsible, self-reliant, useful Christian women". International membership at the time of union was 120,000.
All these movements were designed to provide week-day activities for members of Sunday Schools and Churches and an opportunity to develop mind body and spirit in preparation for a life of useful Christian service and witness. Methods have been adapted over the years, and the union of three organisations in The Girls' Brigade can be seen as a strengthening of purpose in the face of the challenge of the present day.
Overseas, the wide membership of the Brigade includes many races, with a variety of language and dialect. In 1923, the first overseas Company had been registered in Jamaica. Today, the Brigade is operating in over fifty countries and islands throughout the world. It also has affiliation with church youth work in Europe. Programmes of work have to be modified and in some cases extensively amended to suit differing environments. The varying climatic conditions have led to the adaptation of the official uniform in different countries. Nevertheless, the supreme aim, adhered to throughout the whole movement, is to help girls to find true enrichment of life.
As early as 1928 The Girls' Life Brigade had approached The Girls' Brigade of Ireland asking if representatives of their governing body would be willing to meet representatives of The Girls' Life Brigade to consider the possibility of a union of the two organisations.
Why do you wear a uniform?
A uniform makes us show that we belong to a world-wide organisation and are proud to belong to that organisation. It also encourages us to look neat and presentable.
Why only girls?
Sometimes it's good to be just with other girls. Some girls feel more comfortable and relate better in a girls-only environment. Boys may not like some of the activities we do. For boys, there is Boys' Brigade, which has the same ideals and a similar program to GB. Most churches with a GB company also have a BB company.
Boys Brigade website
Parents Testimonial's
- My daughter comes to GB to meet up with her friends, have a fun time and learn about the Christian faith. Girls Brigade is not just a club, it's a family!
Mother of a child in the Junior section.
- I like sending my daughter to GB as it gives her other friends outside of school, who are also different ages as well as her own age and she learns a lot from this alone.
Mother of a child in the Explorer section.
Helpers & Officers Testimonial's
- I love helping out at Girls Brigade, as it is not only fun working with the Explorers, but also an opportunity to talk about the Christian faith and have one big girly night out a week.
Helper within the Explorer section.
- I like helping with GB because it gets me out and meeting other people and socialising with them which I would not do normally.
Helper within the Explorer section.
- I have been in GB for 24years and I am only 31. I have been an officer for 8 years. I like the family feel and being able to do many different activities. I really enjoy seeing girls grow up through brigade and turn into lovely young ladies with very good life skills.
Officer working with the Seniors and Brigaders.
Girls Testimonial's
I like going to GB because I can run around lots.
Aged 7
GB is awesome!
It is great fun to play games with everybody. We all get along amazingly well - like one big happy family.
Aged 15
If you would like to get involved with GB (helping out or for your daughter to attend) or you would like more information, then drop us an email with your contact details and a convenient time to contact you and we will do just that.
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