Members will assemble in Scottsdale, Arizona, from May 21-24, 2026, at the Fairmont Princess Resort for the
“Jersey Gems Go West!” Themed Conference
The first weekend conclave, which met in Connye Cotterell’s living room with 28 girls in attendance from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and New Jersey
Nationwide — Beginning May 21 through May 24, more than 1,000 registrants will assemble at the Fairmont Princess Resort for the 91st Conclave of The Girl Friends®, Incorporated. Founded in 1927 in New York during the Harlem Renaissance, The Girl Friends®, Incorporated, is one of the oldest and most highly respected social organizations of African American women in the country. Members serve their communities in many capacities — as authors, professors, doctors, lawyers, educators, business owners, U.S. Congress members, wives, and mothers, and more.
The top-tier sponsors for the 91st Conclave include Touch4Life, an Innovator Partner; New York Life, a Trailblazer Partner; Advocate Partners AMI MacDonald’s, Indelible, LOVENOTES, Dr. Tiffany Perkins-Munn, WOMEN LOVE POWER; and Leader Partners AARP, Google, Eve & Co, Harbourview, and Merrill. “Our Girl Friends are looking forward to convening in Scottsdale to conduct our national business, celebrate our civic engagement, and renew our bonds of friendship,” said Elizabeth Espy, 39th National President of The Girl Friends®, Incorporated. “In these challenging times, we wholeheartedly thank our sponsors for their support.”
New Jersey, the host chapter for this year’s Conclave, became the fifth chapter of The Girl Friends®, Incorporated in 1932 and last hosted a Girl Friends’ Conclave in 1977. “We are proud to host this annual gathering once again,” said Marjorie Rich, National Vice President and Conclave Co-Chair. “Our theme, ‘Jersey Gems Go West!’ aligns perfectly with the adventurous and radiant spirit of The Girl Friends. With Scottsdale’s desert beauty, serene landscape, and world-class hospitality, we have the perfect backdrop for executing our theme flawlessly.”
In a boost to the local economy, Girl Friends and their Boy Friend spouses plan to embrace the multitude of offerings in Old Town and the Kierland Commons; walk the galleries of the Museum of the West and Bella Fine Arts; find time for a spa or a golf game or two; and dine at dozens of local restaurants, including several that are African American-owned. Conclave Chair Dr. Lyn Hamlin noted that “this year the New Jersey Chapter will welcome more than a thousand registrants to the Conclave in Scottsdale, a sharp increase from the 28 who gathered in NYC for the first Girl Friends Conclave in 1933.”
Although the original concept was social, The Girl Friends®, Incorporated has expanded its purpose to include charitable and cultural activities. Nationally, approximately a quarter of a million dollars in contributions have been made to major organizations like the NAACP, the United Negro College Fund, the Children’s Defense Fund, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Flint Water Crisis, The Innocence Project, and The Girl Friends Fund Scholarship Program. In 1989, the Girl Friends Fund was founded as a separate 501 (c) (3) organization to provide financial assistance to students nationwide. Locally, Girl Friends chapters have supported a broad spectrum of causes, from educational projects, as well as the arts, health and wellness initiatives, and community assistance programs.
As The Girl Friends®, Incorporated continues to celebrate its rich legacy and enduring impact, the organization is also looking ahead to an historic milestone. In 2027, The Girl Friends will proudly commemorate 100 years of friendship, service, and cultural significance. In honor of this centennial celebration, support can be made through GF100, a 501(c)(3) initiative dedicated to preserving the organization’s history while advancing its mission and amplifying the legacy and impact of women for generations to come. For more information, contact Courtney Moore at gfcourtneymoore@gmail.com
About
Established in 1927, the organization was incorporated in 1938 under the legal guidance of Thurgood Marshall, husband of Baltimore Girl Friend Vivian Marshall. Today, The Girl Friends® Incorporated comprises more than two thousand members across forty-nine chapters, spanning twenty-six states and the District of Columbia. Learn more at TheGirlFriendsInc.org
For press inquiries, contact Marjorie Rich (908) 391-7244 (The Girl Friends) or Joy Johnson (480) 707-7703 (AZ)