CULLMAN, Ala. – Founded by Savannah Mahaffey, Girl Gathered is a social club created to help women in their 20s and 30s build friendships within the Cullman community. It is now open to all ages.
Mahaffey said the idea first came to her nearly three years ago when she was living out of state with her husband for work and was invited to join a local walking group. Inspired by the sense of connection she experienced, she returned home to Cullman and attempted to start a similar group.
“I wanted the group to be a hub for women looking to make new friends or just try something new,” Mahaffey said.
At 22, newly married and with no children, Mahaffey launched Girl Gathered with the intention of focusing on women in their 20s and 30s, a season of life she believes can feel isolating. “If you didn’t move off for college or you got married very young, it can be hard to find your people,” she said. “Everyone’s lives look so different in our 20s and 30s that sometimes it feels like we fall through the cracks.”
After about a year, Mahaffey said, she realized that the desire for connection extended beyond a single age group. This year, Girl Gathered expanded to welcome women of all ages seeking community and shared experiences.
The group hosts a wide variety of events designed to encourage women to step outside their comfort zones. Past events have included a self-defense class in partnership with Gracie Barra, a wealth-building class with Nicole Wadsworth and a Sips n Strokes paint night in collaboration with Wissota Chophouse – Cullman. Mahaffey said she frequently polls members for ideas and is open to trying out-of-the-box concepts to keep events engaging and relevant.
Participation has grown steadily, exceeding Mahaffey’s expectations over the past year, she said. One of the group’s largest events, “Girls-giving,” served as Girl Gathered’s first Friendsgiving celebration. Eight local businesses partnered to help host the event. Mahaffey said the experience reinforced the group’s ability not only to connect women with one another, but also to strengthen relationships within the local business community.
Looking ahead, Mahaffey hopes to see Girl Gathered continue expanding in Cullman and potentially branch into other cities by equipping women to start their own chapters. She said leading the group has helped her grow personally, particularly in developing leadership skills and building meaningful connections.
Upcoming events include a March gathering in Huntsville in partnership with a local animal rescue and a spring picnic planned for April. Dates and updates are shared regularly on the group’s social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Cullman-area women interested in getting involved in Girl Gathered can request to join the Facebook group at https://tinyurl.com/girlgathered.
