Introduction

The Girls' Friendly Society was a pioneer youth organization, founded in England in 1875 and run by women, which still operates in 23 countries around the world. Originally established to befriend and protect young, isolated working girls, the Society continues to support girls and women, adapting to the new challenges presented by a changing world.

This exhibition presents the history of the GFS as revealed in its archive housed at the Women's Library, London Metropolitan University. It focuses particularly on the rich collection of images and objects which give a glimpse of the Members' relationship with the Society, allowing us to see the plays they performed, the items they made, the certificates they won, the souvenirs they bought, the badges they wore, the banners they carried and their occasional brushes with celebrity.

Opposite: 5GFS/19/4/19 Friendship's Highway. Watercolour by Margaret Tarrant, a popular illustrator in the 1920s. The white-clad girl, symbolizing purity, helps raise the younger girl to higher ground.