The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-11-16
By Celia Myrover Robinson

The Senior Girls Friendly Society
/ has just opened a rest room and as
sembly hall in the Brent building, and
all who have for so long felt the need
of both realize what a great step for
ward this is, in the history of woman's
activities in the city.
The Girls Friendly Society has beer
! in operation in Pensacola for one year.
During this short time it has come to
| mean much in the lives of Pensacola
girls. And especially the busy. youre
| woman, so much a part of the citys
growth.
! The Girls Friendly is the largest or
ganization of its kind in the world
II numbers today 100000 girls and is
rapidly growing. 1t has in its ranks
States, but girls in England, Austria
LA and the Philippines.
It had its root in a movement in
England, in 1875, when a number of
women, realizing the dangers to girls
emigrating to the states, started the
movement, by giving the young women
coming over to America letters of in
PRODUCTION to responsible persons.
whom they believed would take an in
terest in the wayfarers in the strange
land, and help them not only by giving
them their protection, but their kindly
attention as well.
Thus, in this simple act of kind
ness, the Girls Friendly had its be-
ginning. From SO simple an act has
the movement grown and spread, until
it now embraces all English speaking
countries, and is still increasing.
In 1877 a branch was formed in
Lenox, Mass, and in 1875 another in
Maryland. From these two branches
others have reached out until the So
ciety has become a, friendly Shelter for
young girls and women all over the
world.
There are two societies in Pensacola
And both are undenominatfona1 in
their work.
ior Girls Friendly Society are Mrs.
Ellis Knowles, Mrs. w. S. Keyser
Mrs. Grant Knauff, Miss May Curtis
and Miss Maude Rendell.
The meetings are held every Thurs
day evening at the assembly hall I'm
til the new rooms in the Brent build
ing were opened the Odd Fellows hall
on North Baylen street was used for
these meetings.
About fifty young women are mem
bers of the organization, and attend
the weekly meetings. In the assembly
hall that has been Just opened for
them, they will have their weekly cal
isthenics, under the direction of Miss
taught physical culture in New York
city, and games, music and other dt
versions are always features of the
pleasant gatherings.
Inere are sewing ana OLner classes
for those who wish to learn, and it Is
planned this winter to have some good
lectures and concerts at the assembly
hall.
In Pdttsheld Mass a town of 10000
inhabitants, where Mrs. Knowles, who
has done so much for the Girls
Friendly movement here, spent the
past summer. there are one Thousand
members of the Girls Friendly Socie-
ty. Think what a, wonderful thing
that is. One thousand girls, banded
together in a society, the watchword
Of which is Kindness. The society
means just what its name implies:
Friendliness.
The only requirements are purity of
character, faithfulness in duties, thrift
and kindness. 1t is not a charitable
organization in any sense of the word.
1t is a band of girls, who are trying
to be friends to each other and the
world. Girls who need friends and
girls who want to be friends.
The Gi~'s' Friendly Society is very
broad in scope. 1t is nom ectarian
and its work is suited to local condi-
tions. In some cities it is an or
ganization with an especial appeal to
the business girl and woman. For
no one is ever too old to be member,