Our founders, Dorris Bell Daniels and Vivienne Malone Mayes, met at Fisk University, Nashville, Tennessee.  They enjoyed a friendship which remained beyond their college days.  They returned to their respective cities, Detroit, Michigan and Waco, Texas.  After much correspondence, they envisioned an organization that would have friendship as its common denominator.  They shared in creating the prayer, poem, motto and song; the lyrics of the song were written by Marguerite Williams, Dallas, Texas.  It was Vivienne Malone Mayes who chose the name Circle-Lets, a Circle of Friends. The first chapter of Circle-Lets, was organized on September 18, 1955, in Dallas, Texas at the home of founder, Pearl Coleman Kidd.  

The next chapter was installed by Vivienne Malone Mayes in 1956 in Detroit.  In 1957, the Boston Chapter was installed with Gloria Pope as its founder.  In 1959, three additional chapters were installed - Chicago: Mercedier Goodwin, founder; Roanoke: Nina Bolden, founder; New York: Rita Marshall, founder.

The first National Conclave was held in 1960 in Dallas, from August 18th - 20th. Representatives from each of the chapters were in attendance.  The meetings were chaired by Dorris Daniels and Vivienne Malone Mayes.  At that meeting, the Constitution was written and ratified and the national Officers elected.  After much correspondence, they envisioned an organization that would have friendship as its common denominator.  They shared in creating the prayer, poem, motto and song; the lyrics of the song were written by Marguerite Williams, Dallas, Texas.  

On September 24, 1960, the Philadelphia Chapter was installed bringing the number of chapters to six (6). The next National Conclave was then held in Boston in 1962. As new chapters are inducted, they are added to the Conclave Cycle so that each chapter has a chance to host a Conclave. 

As of 2014, Circle-Lets, Inc. currently has twenty-one (21) chapters and we are in our Fourth Conclave Cycle. Unfortunately, an unexpected pandemic in 2020 lasting over two years due to COVID-19, required that health and safety mandates be put in place, and Conclaves hosted by the Los Angeles Valley and New Orleans Chapters had to be cancelled. Instead of meeting in person, National hosted its first-ever virtual Business Meeting in July 2020 and a second Virtual Business meeting in July 2021. Both meetings were held by Zoom.

Our first in-person Conclave after the Pandemic was held in Philadelphia in July, 2022. After not seeing all of our Circle-Let sisters in person for so long, we had a fabulous time meeting and socializing in the City of Brotherly Love! 

As one of the newest chapters of Circle-Lets, Inc., Baton Rouge hosted their very first Conclave in 2023 - Laissez le bon temps rouler! 

The membership represents the full spectrum of professional and non-professional women whose basic tenet is friendship.  The National Colors are flame, silver and shell pink.  The National Flower is the pink carnation.  The National Emblem is a three dimensional circle with the letter C in the center.  The National Song is A Circle of Friendship, sung to the tune of Loch Lomond.

Article II of the National Constitution best spells out the aim of Circle-Lets, Inc.:

“To provide a social outlet and a sisterly relationship among women with similar ideals, interests and goals.” 

Both founders are deceased.  Dorris Bell Bass passed in January 1991 and Vivienne Malone Mayes in June 1995.  

However, the spirit of friendship lives on and remains “a bond firm and true to the end, and far, far beyond the horizon.”