In 1872 in England, Mary Elizabeth Townsend became aware of the situations of young girls who worked as factory workers living away from their families often in cramped conditions, working long hours, on shift work and were paid little money. Some of these girls were jailed for petty offenses such as stealing a loaf of bread. The real crime was their environment: abominable housing and lack of food.
Mary wrote “If we only knew how many poor girls are lost, how many lives wasted that might have been given to the service of their Lord, not for the want of schools or refuges, not for the want of money or expensive organisation, but just for the want of a little love, a few kind words, a smile of interest, to show that they are cared for.”
Mary Elizabeth Townsend jotted down ideas, prayed and had many discussions which then laid down the blueprint for the Girls Friendly Society. By 1874 called a meeting with the permission of the Archbishop of Canterbury, to consider her scheme for an association of girls.This meeting now known as the “Historic meeting of Five” was attended by Mrs Tait (The Archbishop’s wife); Mrs Townsend; Reverend T.V. Fosbery (Vicar of St Giles’ Reading; Mrs Harold Brown (wife of the Bishop of Winchester); and Mrs Nassau senior. From this meeting it was decreed that the Girls Friendly Society would start on 1st January 1875.
Work started immediately and by its stating date the Society operated in 4 dioceses. By the end of the first year there were 25 branches in 15 dioceses.
In a matter of years GFS became a world wide society and by 1878 it was in northern England, Scotland. Ireland and USA.
GFS began in Australia in 1879 in Adelaide with Lady Jervois (wife of the Governor of South Australia) being the president of the first GFS branch in Australia and her daughters Lucy and Carrie became Secretary and Treasurer.
In 1880 GFS started in New South Wales followed by Victoria in 1881, Queensland in 1882, Western Australia in 1884 and Tasmania in 1901.
The first branch in Sydney was started by Mrs Alexander Gordon in 1880. The branch was in
Leichhardt.
In 1918, Mary Elizabeth Townsend passed away.
In 1947 the first GFS Australia Council was formed. Mrs B.P. Robins was elected Chairman and Mrs B.P Bright-Parker as Secretary.
In 1955, the first GFS World Council was formed and the first meeting held in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight. Mrs H.E. Woodward (from USA) was elected the first World Chairman.
Today, GFS still holds the vision of Mary Elizabeth Townsend. The challenge for the future is to be continually conscious of the needs and pressures confronting girls and women today. GFS seeks to bring faith and purpose to their lives as it endeavours to extend God’s Kingdom.
Here is a document with a simplified history suitable to use in your branch or group with younger members. GFS History for Girls
Once you have read through the GFS History and GFS History for Girls Handout, please do a simple test.
Next is the GFS Structure section