October marks the ten year anniversary of a Girls’ Night Out

October marks the ten year anniversary of a Girls’ Night Out, a social networking group that began as a gathering of friends in the house of Mary Lou Hoover back in 2006. At the time, Mary Lou had no idea that the group she invited to her house would grow to a membership of over 2000. The real life meet up became the first monthly meeting of Girls’ Night Out as it is today.
Girls Night Out was not a planned venture, rather it evolved from necessity. When Mary Lou first moved to Key West she met several women who were looking for a way to connect with other women. Some of them said they found it hard to meet women, others found it difficult to trust people and many mentioned that they had no way of networking with women like they had in other locations. So after hearing those comments on numerous occasions, Mary Lou decide extended a dinner invitation to ten women. It was supposed to be a casual night, with the goal of getting to know some new ladies. There was a surprise when 16 women arrived. Luckily Mary Lou always seems to cook for more than expected. That night was the beginning of these women just enjoying each other, getting to know one another with no pressure to pitch a business idea or work the room. Several of those ladies have gone on to be close friends or have worked together. Mary Lou considered the night a success.
The ladies urged Mary Lou to host another ‘Girls Night Out’, which is how the group found its name. Fearing the numbers may double again, plans were made with Michael Stewart at Square One to host the group for the second time. It was a Monday evening and Michael was told to expect about 25 women. He just laughed. 32 women showed up and he had to call in another bartender to help. Mary Lou realized she might be onto something.
Soon there were events each month and the network of women grew with women promoting women’s businesses, events, their art, music, and theater productions. When the group started receiving questions asking if anyone knew a good dog groomer or a babysitter, the role of the GNO email grew into what it is today, a weekly newsletter for women on the island.
When Facebook became the method of choice for announcing events and publicizing fundraisers, the Girls’ Night Out Key West group was born which now boasts almost 1500 women as members. Through Facebook, the group was able to reach a larger audience of women and it was yet another venue for promoting their causes.
Over the years, Girls’ Night Out has donated to numerous local and state charities, including Samuel’s House, Womankind, MARC House, Silverliners, Wesley House, AIDS Help, and many others. They have sponsored sports teams for young girls to play flag football and even had a dragon boat team. They have given scholarships to girls and boys for the arts. They have also used the wide reach of Girls Night Out to promote such major events as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Out of the Darkness walk. Women have moved to other locations and started a GNO chapter there.
This year, after a health scare, Mary Lou decided it was time for the group to have a new leader. Sophie DeVooght was the perfect person to take the lead as she had been helping Mary Lou behind the scenes for over a year. Sophie has plans to bring new life to the group and help it grow. Mary Lou meanwhile? She gets to go to the events and just enjoy the ladies- and will think twice before hosting a group of strangers for dinner!
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