Any girl who has grown up in a Christian household has read about, heard of, and studied the woman of great character found in Proverbs 31.
I must admit, I never really understood the magnitude of this passage as a child. But as an adult, this woman is one of my favorite Bible characters. Growing up, the most common verse used from this passage is verse 25. It says:
She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
From those words, I pictured a woman standing in the middle of the field at the golden hour in a beautiful dress laughing. In my small brain, she almost seemed frivolous. But when we read the other 30 verses in this chapter, we see that the woman in question was a hard worker, house manager, seamstress, cook, provider, early riser, homemaker, faithful wife, and mother. But above all, she sought the Lord wholeheartedly.
What would the world look like if today’s girls followed the same path of the Proverbs 31 woman?
I’m so glad you asked!
In 2001, Yvonne Haskins asked the same question. In a world with groups and organizations for all types of things, she wondered why there couldn’t be a club for girls to teach them the principles found in Proverbs 31.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her (Proverbs 3:15).
A year later, after much prayer and consideration, she started Rubies Girls’ Clubs, a ministry for young women (ages 8-18) to help them understand biblical womanhood. Following Titus 2, Haskins recruits older women to teach the Rubies girls. Together, they break down Proverbs 31 and learn how to become godly women and serve their community.
Rubies teaches girls how to sew, garden, public speaking, canning, etiquette Scripture memorization, leadership, and more. Similar to “scouting” clubs, as girls master these (much-needed) skills, they are given stones to add to their sash.
Likewise, to serve those around them, club leaders help plan service projects in their community. For example, the Haskins group once made 45 baby blankets and dresses for a local pregnancy center.
While there is fun to be had at every Rubies event, one of the most special is “Princess Night.” Based on Proverbs 31:31, which declares, “Let her works be known at the city gate.” As such, this night is a formal affair to honor the girls after a season of hard work.
The woman declared in Proverbs is remarkable, but Rubies Girls’ Clubs believes that she shouldn’t only be found in Scripture. Rather, she is meant to inspire all girls. And thanks to willing volunteers and eager participants, the group is “preparing today’s girls to become tomorrow’s Proverbs 31 women.”
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).
Just last month, after years of preparation, Haskins and her team released the Rubies Girls Clubs curriculum to help spread the mission of Rubies. For more information on how to find and start your club, visit rubiesgirlsclubs.com.
