The Girls’ Brigade is a Christian uniformed organisation, international and interdenominational. It was formed in July1965 by the union of the following three organisations:

	The Girls’ Brigade (Ireland), formed by Miss M Lyttle in Dublin, in 1893 on twin pillars, Bible Class and Physical Training, with its aim, “The extension of Christ’s Kingdom among girls”. Membership at the time of the union was 8,000.
	The Girls’ Guildry, was founded by Dr W F Somerville in Glasgow, in 1900. It was a church-based organisation providing programmes for four age groups, and its varied activities were aimed at helping girls to become mature Christian women. It was international and interdenominational, with a strong emphasis on service to others. The first overseas company was registered in Jamaica in 1923. Membership at the time of the union was 35,000.
	The Girls’ Life Brigade,was founded by the National Sunday School Union, (now known as the National Christian Education Council), a church-based, international organisation in England, in 1902. It had a varied programme responsible for four age groups. Its aim was, “To help and encourage girls to become responsible, self-reliant, useful Christian women”. Membership at the time of union was 120,000.

All these movements were designed to provide weekday activities for members of Sunday Schools and Churches. Methods have been adapted over the years, and the union of the three organisations in The Girls’ Brigade can be seen as a strengthening of purpose in the faces of the challenge of the present day.

Overseas, the wide membership of the Brigade includes many races, with a variety of language and dialect. In 1923, the first overseas Company had been registered in Jamaica. Today, the Brigade is operating in over fifty countries and islands throughout the world. It also has affiliation with church youth work in Europe. Programmes of work have to be modified and in some cases extensively amended to suit differing environments. The varying climatic conditions have led to the adaptation of the official uniform in different countries. Nevertheless, the supreme aim, adhered to throughout the whole movement, is to help girls to find true enrichment of life.

The steps towards Union. As early as 1928 The Girls' Life Brigade had approached The Girls' Brigade of Ireland asking if representatives of their governing body would be willing to meet representatives of The Girls' Life Brigade to consider the possibility of a union of the two organisations.