GENERAL DESCRIPTION Mission and Vision Girls Inc's mission, as stated on their website, is "to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold" (girlsinc.org, 2014) . This mission statement can be seen on nearly every publication and public image, has remained central to the organization, and continues to be a driving force into the organization's future. Girls Inc's vision is "empowered girls and an equal society" (girlsinc.org). Girls Inc. also developed a Girls' Bill of Rights, which states that girls have the right to: “1) be themselves and resist gender stereotypes, 2) express themselves with originality and enthusiasm, 3) run take risks, engage freely, and take pride in success, 4) accept and appreciate your body, 5) have self-confidence and feel safe in the world, and 6) prepare for interesting work and financial independence" ( girlsinc.org).HistoryInformally, Girls Inc. was founded in 1864 in Connecticut, for daughters of working-class families (girlsinc.org, 2014). This club was an informal gathering place, a bright spot in the lives of girls during the Great Depression, where they could learn sewing skills, make friends and connect with mentors (girlsinc.org). Feelings of belonging, increased self-esteem and a home away from home were the driving force behind the effort to reunite. 19 clubs in the New England area to become the Girls Club of America in 1945, a name that would last ten years. years (girlsinc.org). In the 1960s, Girls Inc. focused on homemaking skills, with the hope of turning girls into exceptional young women. Then, in the 1970s, a new executive director came on board and took a critical look at the organization's mission to educate girls... middle of paper... in an effort to be transparent about who is funding it. the organization and how the money is spent. Politics While we were unable to access information about the ways in which public policy influences Girls Inc.'s programming and what government regulations they must comply with, it is known that the organization continues to be at the forefront of advocating for policies that have effects on the populations they serve (girlsinc.org, 2014). When it comes to changing legislation that directly impacts the lives of women and girls, Girls Inc. works to fight many causes. Some of the initiatives they have been involved in include bills addressing: sexual violence on college campuses, funding for after-school programs (S 1796), sexual violence in the military (S 967), human trafficking, and improving the juvenile justice for girls. (H.R. 1833) (girlsinc.org, 2014).