A Christian sisterhood · Chicago area

Real Women, Called to Overcome!

Real Girlfriends Network brings women together through faith, friendship, and fellowship. We pray together, encourage one another, and celebrate the power of sisterhood.

Join the Sisterhood Our Mission
6thannual brunch 150–300women each year
Psalmist Audrey Lewis, founder of the Real Girlfriends Network, speaking into a microphone
Hosted byPsalmist Audrey LewisFounder & Chief Visionary Officer
A ballroom full of women at round tables turns toward the camera, smiling and waving
More than twenty women in their brunch best pose together in front of the Real Girlfriends backdrop
Guests fill long rows of tables decorated with pink floral centerpieces
Two women laugh together on a gold sofa surrounded by pink balloons on stage
Two women share a warm embrace at the microphone in front of the pink Real Girlfriends banner
Guests greet each other between tables in bright spring colors

Come on in

Have a seat at the table

Every year 150 to 300 women fill this room. Pull up a chair. There is a seat with your name on it.

Join the Sisterhood
  • A smiling young woman in a bright blue blazer
  • Four friends squeeze together for a photo at their table
  • A guest in bold red glasses sings joyfully into a microphone
  • A woman with silver locs beams at the camera
  • Two friends lean in cheek to cheek for a selfie
  • Women laugh together at a vendor table
  • A guest in a soft grey sweater smiles from her seat
  • Four women of the Real Girlfriends family smile together by the balloon arch and pink phone booth
  • A woman with braided hair listens with a gentle smile
  • Two friends pose together at their brunch table
  • Two women laugh together near the welcome table
  • Three friends in glasses smile side by side
  • Two women share a cheek-to-cheek hug
  • A guest in a mustard sweater smiles warmly
  • Four women stand together smiling in red, orange, black, and plum
  • A woman smiles mid-song with a microphone
  • Two women laugh together on a gold sofa surrounded by pink balloons
  • Guests greet each other between tables
Four women of the Real Girlfriends family stand arm in arm, smiling in front of a greenery wall
You belong here

Who we are

The Real Girlfriends Network

A faith-driven ministry dedicated to empowering women through the love of Christ. We create a community where women can grow spiritually, encourage one another, and walk confidently in their God-given purpose.

Our gatherings welcome women from all walks of life. Whatever season you are in, you are valued, loved, and never alone.

  • Sisters
  • Mothers
  • Daughters
  • Coworkers
  • Friends you haven't met yet
Join the Sisterhood

What we do

Supporting women in every season

Every gathering is built on three things. This is what you can expect when you walk into the room.

A speaker preaches into the microphone in front of the pink Real Girlfriends backdrop
faith

Grow closer to God

Prayer, worship, and biblical teaching sit at the center of what we do. Our events create space to grow spiritually and find your divine purpose.

Two women share a warm embrace at the microphone in front of the pink Real Girlfriends banner
encouragement

Step into your calling

Powerful speakers and real testimonies lift women up to walk in confidence. We also honor women who live out faith, resilience, and service.

Four friends squeeze together and smile for a photo at their table
sisterhood

Never walk alone

Genuine friendships that last past the event. In times of joy or challenge, Real Girlfriends pray for, support, and stand with one another.

Our signature gathering

The Real Girlfriends Brunch, a divine appointment

Once a year, women dress in elegance and class and fill a ballroom for an afternoon of worship, laughter, music, testimony, and great food.

6th

annual Real Girlfriends Brunch in 2026

150–300

women fill the room each year

5

Real Girlfriends of the Year honored for faith and service

  1. 20255th Annual
    Speaker
    Prophetess Makeba Burford, Intense Intimacy
    Honoree
    Raylynn Durham, for 50 years of sisterhood, family, and caring for others
  2. 20244th Annual
    Speaker
    Evangelist LaKeisa Belton, Apostolic Faith Church
    Honoree
    Gina Thomas, for her impact as a daycare provider for countless families
  3. 2023 
    Speaker
    Prophetess Makeba Burford, Intense Intimacy
    Honoree
    Janet Ali, for her ministry to cancer patients and encouragement
  4. 2019 
    Speaker
    Pastor Priscilla Wilder, Sure Word of Life Ministries
    Honoree
    Minister Angela Morris, for discipleship, mentoring, and selfless service
  5. 2018 
    Speaker
    Minister Sheila Cotton, Cosmopolitan Community Church
    Honoree
    Pastor VeRita D. Quinn, for 27 years of ministry to women

Past guests have included comedienne Lady Luncha'Bell, recording artist Jamel Lewis Sr., neo-soul electric violinist Adia, Christina Byrd (ministry of mime and dance), Broadway actress and singer Melody Betts, Psalmist Dr. Jannine Moore, spiritual ballerina Chantal' Ashante Hunt, and Psalmist Audrey Lewis.

Audrey Lewis speaks into a microphone in front of a Mama Lew Talks sign
Mama Lew Talks

Meet our founder

One woman's vision for a room full of girlfriends

Psalmist Audrey Lewis is the founder of Audrey Lewis Ministries and the Real Girlfriends Network, and the heart behind the Real Girlfriends Brunch.

Her passion is creating a welcoming space where women can connect authentically, celebrate one another, and be reminded of their worth. She wants every woman who walks in to leave knowing she is fearfully and wonderfully made.

Network leadership

  • Portrait of Audrey LewisAudrey LewisFounder, CEO & Chief Visionary Officer
  • Portrait of Angela MorrisAngela MorrisSenior Network Operations & Administrative Manager
  • Portrait of Lacia LawrenceLacia LawrenceChief Technology & Network Systems Manager
  • Portrait of Sherese StreetSherese StreetNetwork Event Design, Coordination & Operations Manager

Real women, real messages

Kind Words

I really needed this, I was so down and depressed. The speaker was talking to me.
Anonymous

Become a Real Girlfriend

Join the sisterhood you are never alone

  • 1
    Come to the brunch

    Grab a seat for yourself, or bring your girlfriends and fill a table. See the details

  • 2
    Get the next invitation

    Sign up and we'll email you when new gatherings are announced.

  • 3
    Say hello

    Questions, tables, or ways to get involved? Send us a note or give us a call.

Event updates

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Contact us

We'd love to hear from you

Whatever your inquiry, we're just a call or click away.

Give us a call(773) 746-4479
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”Hebrews 10:24-25

General inquiries

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