White nationalist youth groups are now actively recruiting girls across the United States, a new development in extremist movements. This marks the first known instance of a dedicated white nationalist youth group for girls in the U.S., according to extremism experts. The group, named Young Columbia, was announced in early May on Telegram by United Youth, an umbrella organization that already operates youth clubs for young men.
United Youth’s existing Youth Clubs for young men, targeting ages 15 to 18, have expanded rapidly since their appearance in February 2025. These clubs have grown from a few localized groups to operations in all 50 states in under 18 months. The formation of Young Columbia stems from “high demand,” according to the Telegram announcement, indicating a perceived need for female-specific roles within the broader white nationalist movement.
The announcement for Young Columbia on Telegram included a quote from Adolf Hitler regarding women’s roles in the Nazi party. Membership criteria for Young Columbia are explicitly stated as “white European descent, female, nationalist.” This aligns with the ideological foundations of the broader United Youth organization.
Historically, discussions of violent extremism often focus on male participants, according to Willis Shaw, an investigative researcher at the Anti-Defamation League’s Center on Extremism. Shaw noted that while white supremacist movements in the U.S. have always included women, this new group appears to be a formalized, dedicated structure for young females. The Anti-Defamation League monitors such groups.
The embrace of white nationalist ideology by Generation Z is complex. Shaw attributes some of this to young people’s cynicism about the country’s current state, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic confined some students to online environments and introduced others to an uncertain job market, contributing to feelings of a lack of control.
When individuals feel their lives are beyond their control and their agency is diminished, they may become more receptive to narratives that attribute blame to external systems or forces, Shaw explained. This sentiment can make some young people more susceptible to extremist ideologies that offer explanations and a sense of belonging.
The long-term impact of these female-focused recruitment efforts on the broader extremist movement remains to be seen. Observers will be watching how Young Columbia integrates with existing male youth clubs and what specific roles and missions it develops for its members. The expansion of such groups across all states suggests a concerted effort to normalize and spread white nationalist ideology among young people.
Further monitoring will be necessary to understand the full scope of this recruitment strategy and its potential influence on youth. The focus on specific demographic criteria and the rapid expansion indicate a strategic approach to building a new generation of adherents to white nationalist beliefs.