Our founder's story

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Risk-taking. Approachable. Informed by girls. Emphatic about girls' strengths. Feminist. Passionate about social change and justice. Very, very cool.

These are some the words you would hear Cynthia K. McLachlan (known as Cyndie to her many friends) use about her vision for Girl's Best Friend Foundation.

With her young adult children, Cyndie created Girl's Best Friend Foundation (GBF) in 1994.

"I was furious that I'd allowed myself to be so ignorant of our family finances. I was adamant that I would use a big chunk of what I had inherited to help make sure that other women weren't in the same position. 

My son, Jason, pointed out that true change starts much earlier -- so, girls and young women became the focus.

Kate, my daughter, lent her considerable insight into social change work and girls to help us define our goals.

Devin, my third child, encouraged us to think big -- and different.

I knew perfectly well what I did and didn't know. We had to turn to and embrace community activists who knew what was happening, knew where girls were getting together. 

Yes, indisputably -- I have a unique role as GBF's founder and donor. But my greatest pleasure is working with the cool, cool women on the board who make GBF vital.

GBF continues to reach for the wild dreams I've had for us from the beginning. I love it!"

Read more: Heir to Independence: The Girl's Best Friend Foundation (PDF, 4.3 MB)