In a world where digital connections often overshadow face-to-face interactions, Bre Shafferman is proving that real-life friendships still matter. As the founder of Pittsburgh Gal Pals, a rapidly growing women’s social group, she has created a space where women can come together, form deep connections, and explore everything Pittsburgh has to offer. What started as a small gathering of friends has transformed into a thriving community of over 3,000 members in less than a year. I sat down with Bre to discuss the inspiration behind the group, its growth, and the impact it has had on the lives of its members.
Q: What inspired you to start Pittsburgh Gal Pals?
A: After college, I had moved and quickly realized how difficult it was to make friends outside of that structured environment. In college, friendships form naturally because you’re constantly surrounded by the same people, sharing experiences and daily life. But after that, it’s much harder. And then after the pandemic, it seemed like people were even more isolated. There’s a loneliness epidemic, and I wanted to do something about it.
Q: How did the group get started?
A: It actually started on a whim. I created a Facebook group with eight friends to make planning meetups easier. I figured if each of them invited a few more people, we’d have a small but solid group to plan outings with. I had no idea it would grow so quickly! Now, we have thousands of women joining, looking for friendship, fun, and a sense of belonging.
Q: What kind of events does the group do?
A: We do a mix of small gatherings of 5-10 people and larger events where more mingling can happen. We host everything from book clubs to dinners, and art nights to movie nights. We want to offer something for everyone, no matter their interests or comfort levels in social situations.
Q: How do you keep the group organized as it continues to grow?
A: I have an incredible volunteer team, which includes three admins and two mods. They help organize events, moderate discussions, and make sure everything runs smoothly. We also have smaller, offshoot groups based on location, interests, ages—these have naturally started running themselves, which is exactly what I hoped for. This was always meant to be a platform for women to connect organically. >>
Q: I know many social media groups have rules and guidelines in place in order to join. Does Gal Pals have something like that?
A: Our first rule is to just be kind and courteous. We are an inclusive group composed of women of all ages, backgrounds, races, and belief systems, so I wanted our space to be welcoming. So far, that has held true. Today it’s easy to go online and find people arguing and being rude, but we haven’t seen that on our page. Another rule is that we remove members who do not attend an in-person or Zoom event within three months of joining. We try to offer multiple events each month on different days and times that cater to lots of interests, so finding something isn’t too hard. Our main goal is to get women to come together.
Q: What impact has Pittsburgh Gal Pals had on you personally?
A: It has changed my life in the best way possible. I feel less lonely, I have an incredible support system, and I genuinely feel safer and more connected in Pittsburgh. Seeing other women find their people, build friendships, and create memories makes it all worth it.
Q: Why do you think Pittsburgh has been such a great place for this group to take off?
A: Pittsburgh has a growing younger population, filled with people who move here for college or work. Many of them are looking for connections, just like I was. The city is small enough that once you start meeting people, you begin running into familiar faces, which helps deepen those connections. It’s really the perfect place for a community like this.
Q: What’s next for Pittsburgh Gal Pals?
A: We just want to keep growing and providing opportunities for women to connect. Whether it’s through small meetups, larger events, or just online conversations, our goal is to foster meaningful friendships. We have lots of events planned for February, including a mini golf meetup at Puttery, a flash tattoo and permamnet jewelry event, our Galentine’s dinner, a book club meeting and a Gal’s Night Out. I believe the more connected we are, the happier and healthier we all become.
What are members saying?
“Pittsburgh Gal Pals has dramatically changed my life for the better. I have made lifelong, meaningful relationships and memories with women I wouldn’t have met otherwise. I have enjoyed getting out of my comfort zone and experiencing new things with new people because it puts a new perspective on life. I am forever thankful for this group.” – Madison Fisher
“As a Pittsburgh transplant, Pittsburgh Gal Pals has let me build a community. I’ve met so many incredible women that I otherwise would’ve never met. This group has brought me many friends. I’m incredibly happy to be a part of this amazing community.” – Kate Verna
“I’m a single empty nester. Having recently moved from out of state and knowing no one here was a huge leap of faith for me. Now, thanks to this amazing group, I’ve met dozens of women with similar interests, and I’ve made three new close, incredible friends!” – Kelly Elliott Dine
Find Pittsburgh Gal Pals on Facebook and Instagram @pgh_galpals
