For over a century, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been helping change kids’ perspectives and giving them the opportunity to reach their potential. And we have over a century of volunteers, donors, and advocates just like you to thank.

It all started in 1904, when a young New York City court clerk named Ernest Coulter was seeing more and more boys come through his courtroom. He recognized that caring adults could help many of these kids stay out of trouble, and he set out to find volunteers. That marked the beginning of the Big Brothers movement.

At around the same time, the members of a group called Ladies of Charity were befriending girls who had come through the New York Children’s Court. That group would later become Catholic Big Sisters.

Both groups continued to work independently until 1977, when Big Brothers Association and Big Sisters International joined forces and became Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

More than 100 years later, Big Brothers Big Sisters remains true to our founders’ vision of bringing caring role models into the lives of children. And, today, Big Brothers Big Sisters currently operates in all 50 states—and in 12 countries around the world.

Here is a look at our history, from the start:

1902

Ernest Coulter, court clerk, helps organize the first New York Children's Court; Ladies of Charity, later Catholic Big Sisters of New York, starts to befriend girls who come before the New York Children's Court.

1903

Businessman Irvin F. Westheimer befriends a young boy in Cincinnati, OH; seeds are formed for the start of Big Brothers in Cincinnati.

1904

Ernest Coulter founds the organized Big Brothers movement by obtaining 39 volunteers, who each agree to befriend one boy.

1912

The New York Times reports Big Brothers activity in 26 cities.

1914

Ernest Coulter embarks on nationwide lecture tour on behalf of Big Brothers; planning begins for a national Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization.

1917

The first national conference of Big Brothers and Big Sisters organizations is held in Grand Rapids, MI.

1923

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., becomes treasurer of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation;

First motion picture based on a Big and Little Brother relationship is released by Paramount Pictures.

1925

President Calvin Coolidge becomes patron of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation.

1930

Six hundred delegates attend a Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation meeting in New York City.

1934

President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt become patrons of Big Brothers and Big Sisters Federation.

1948

Norman Rockwell produces the sketch that becomes a symbol for the Big Brothers Association.

1951

The Big Brothers of the Year program begins, Associate Justice Tom Clark of the U.S. Supreme Court and J. Edgar Hoover are named.

1958

Big Brothers Association is chartered by Congress.

1970

Big Sisters International is incorporated.

1977

Big Sisters International and Big Brothers Association merge, forming Big Brothers Big Sisters of America with 357 agencies.

1984

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America occupies its headquarters at 230 North 13th Street in Philadelphia.

1985

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is honored with a commemorative stamp by the Postmaster General.

1995

Public/Private Ventures Study on Big Brothers Big Sisters Community-Based Mentoring shows measurable, positive results on youth who have a Big Brother or Sister, seminal research in the field of youth mentoring.

1997

President William J. Clinton holds Volunteer Summit in Philadelphia; Big Brothers Big Sisters plays key role.

1998

Big Brothers Big Sisters International is founded.

2003

President George W. Bush announces three-year $450 million mentoring initiative in his State of the Union Address.

2004

Big Brothers Big Sisters celebrates 100 years of serving America’s youth.

2006

First Lady Laura Bush stars in a public service announcement to recruit volunteers across the nation.

2007

Public/Private Ventures conducts a study on Big Brothers Big Sisters School-Based Mentoring program, reinforcing the value of strong, long-lasting relationships and leading to program enhancements.

In a Super Bowl first, CBS, the NFL and Big Brothers Big Sisters joined forces to create a public service announcement that features the two coaches whose teams are competing in the game. Roughly 90 million viewers tuned in to watch the game and see Indianapolis Colts' Coach Tony Dungy and Coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears underscore the importance of mentoring by referencing their real-life mentoring relationship.

2010

President Obama holds a White House National Mentoring Month Ceremony; Big Brothers Big Sisters attends and plays a key role.

Gina D. Mashburn

CEO

Gina Denton Mashburn has a long history with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Shoals. She served as Case Manager at the agency from 1989 until 1996, when she decided to forfeit her career to stay at home with her two boys. She is the proud mom of two grown sons, Houston and Ross and the wife of Tim Mashburn of Muscle Shoals.

After her boys were both in school, Gina accepted a position with Sheffield City Schools as Mentoring Director for the Aim High Mentoring Program which partners with BBBS of the Shoals to provide mentoring services to “at risk” students. After eleven years with the school based program, Gina came on board as the CEO/Executive Director with BBBS of the Shoals in March of 2012.

Some of her affiliations include:

• Member of the Colbert, Franklin & Lauderdale County Children’s Policy Councils

• Shoals Area Community Services Council.

• Colbert County DHR Quality Assurance team 

• Alpha Gamma Delta, Gamma Psi Chapter Alumni 

• Redemption Shoals Church member

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Alabama State Association Past President

• Appointed by Kay Ivey to the Governor's Task Force on Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children

• Derrick Chatman - Board President

• Mitchell Ryan - Vice President

• Darla Jackson - Past President

• Kristine Robinson - Secretary

• Michael MacNeil - Treasurer

• Michelle Hyde

• Kaytrina Simmons

• Timothy Wakefield

• Chris Letsinger

• Terry Buchanan

• Kevin Partlow

• Dianna Quinton

• Ruby Adams

• Donna Steele

Honorary Members:

Jacob Green - Honorary

Mitch Hayes - Honorary

Pam Fleming – Honorary

Gina D. Mashburn

CEO

gina@bbbsshoals.org 

cell 256-810-4358

Nicole Hall

Chief Development Officer

nicole@bbbsshoals.org

cell 205-540-0265

Tina Nesbitt

Program Manager

tina@bbbsshoals.org  

cell 256-394-7255

Laura Dennis

Enrollment & Match Specialist

laura@bbbsshoals.org  

cell 256-702-2362

Sharlene Key

Family Relations & Match Support Specialist   

sharlene@bbbsshoals.org 

256-627-6881

Mary Lauren Davis

Public Awareness & Recruitment Coordinator

marylauren@bbbsshoals.org 

cell 256-577-3556

Beatrice Hardin

Red Bay Buddies Mentoring Coordinator 

Red Bay High School

bea44nice@aol.com

256-331-2270

cell 256-324-8197

Mandy Farris

Golden Tiger BIGS Mentoring Coordinator

Russellville City Schools

mandy@bbbsshoals.org

cell 256-668-3099

Kelsey Weaver

Aim High Mentoring Coordinator

& Tiger Buddies Coordinator

kelsey@bbbsshoals.org

cell 256-710-5985

Katie Stutts

Aim High Match Support Specialist

Sheffield City Schools

katie@bbbsshoals.org

Kary Pierson

Falcon Friends Mentoring Coordinator & Match Support Specialist

Florence City Schools   

kary@bbbsshoals.org

cell 256-810-9818