It all began in 1987 when four good friends put their heads together over lunch.
Our Mission
Good Friends Charlotte is a women's organization supporting individuals and families with financial resources to improve lives and inspire hope.
How It Began
It all began in 1987 when four good friends put their heads together over lunch. Catherine Browning, Alice Folger, Sally Saussy, and Patty Norman assembled a diverse group of women to serve as the convening committee of what would become known as Good Friends. Good Friends was modeled after Good Fellows, an organization of men who have met every December since 1917.
Raising Funds
Modeled after Good Fellows, an all male organization founded in Charlotte, Good Friends raises funds for those who need help and have exhausted all other agencies and resources. The story started when the four friends decided to form a female organization. As Founder Catherine Browning recounts, Colonel Pease of Good Fellows said, “There’s no WAY you women can raise money like what we do.” Well, that is ALL they needed to hear!
First Event
The first event was held on December 8, 1987 at Christ Episcopal Church with a goal of $16,000. With 400 women attending, they doubled their goal raising $32,000. It was the beginning of something special. Since 1987, the organization has continued to grow in size, as well as donations, now totaling over $5,000,000.
Board of Directors & Trustees
Marinn Esch / President Beverly Lassiter / Past President Mary Tinkey / Secretary Sam Dunbar / Treasurer
Directors
Katie Cornwell
Katharine Cowan
Gaither Deaton Liz Garofalo
Charlitta Hatch Catherine Hensley
Barbara Holt Yolanda Johnson Kristen Lewis Kimberly Lovejoy-Broadie Trisha Magee Alicia Morris-Rudd Charla Muller
Amy Noland Pack Ellen Rankin Lauren Robinson Sally Van Allen
Trustees
Mary Lou Babb
Joanne Beam
Crandall Bowles
Betsy Brand
Catherine Browning *
Ruth Castleberry
Katherine Belk-Cook
Alice Folger *
Sherrard Georgius
Betty Hunter
Anne McPhail
Sonja Nichols
Patty Norman *
Nancy Norelli
Sally Saussy *
Mattye Silverman
Jenks Trotter
Betsy White
Velva Woollen
Joan Zimmerman
* Founder
