NEW YORK — White nationalist organizations in the United States have expanded recruitment efforts targeting young women and girls, with one prominent group launching the first known all-female youth branch earlier this year.
United Youth, an umbrella organization overseeing white nationalist youth clubs for boys ages 15 to 18 across all 50 states, announced the formation of Young Columbia in early May on Telegram. The group, described as catering to girls of “White European descent,” emerged from “high demand” and is intended to have “separate supportive roles and mission,” according to the announcement.
Experts on extremism noted the development as a notable step in broadening appeal beyond young men, who have formed the core of such groups through fitness-oriented “active clubs” and similar networks. Youth Clubs under United Youth expanded rapidly since appearing in February 2025.
The recruitment reflects broader patterns observed by researchers, including use of social media and lifestyle-oriented messaging to attract women, often emphasizing traditional gender roles alongside ideological content. Similar efforts have been documented in Europe, such as with groups linked to far-right parties promoting homemaking alongside political messaging.
A CBS News report on Thursday highlighted the intentional low profile of Young Columbia members, who maintain obscurity while participating in the group. Extremism researchers described it as a strategic move to normalize participation among young females.
United Youth and affiliated clubs have grown significantly, with presence now reported nationwide. Patriot Front, another white supremacist group, has also expanded rapidly through coordinated recruitment, though its efforts have focused more heavily on young men via fight clubs and manuals.
Advocacy organizations and monitors of hate groups have tracked increased online and offline outreach. Details on the exact size and activities of Young Columbia remained limited as of Thursday, with the group operating primarily through private channels.
Counter-extremism efforts have emphasized the role of women in amplifying ideologies and recruiting others, though participation rates among females in such movements remain lower than among males. As of Thursday, no comprehensive data on membership numbers for the new female branch was publicly available. Law enforcement and civil society groups continue to monitor these developments.
