Giving - Junior League of Minneapolis

A group of female poliots
(continued from page 22)
In the early twentieth century,
the obvious appeal of a femaleled
charitable organization spread
quickly across the country. By 1921,
approximately 30 Junior Leagues
joined together to create The
Association of Junior Leagues of
America, which provided professional
support to each League. In 1923, the
JLM was established with 60 members
paying a mere $6 in annual dues. By
1939, there were 144 Junior Leagues
in existence around the world.
With its growing population, one thing
about the Junior League remained
constant—its mission to serve.
Throughout history, members have
found unique ways to provide aid
wherever there was a need. During
the Depression, the League opened
nutrition centers and milk stations;
during World War II, women chaired
war-related organizations across
the nation; and by the 1960s, the
majority of the Leagues offered health
and welfare projects such as alcohol
programs, adoption services, clinics
and convalescent care and hospital
services.
The Leagues’ good deeds were never
far from the public eye, thanks in
part to the popularity of some
of its members. Junior League
of Hartford member Katherine
Hepburn emerged as a four-time
Academy Award winning starlet,
while Eleanor Roosevelt, a Leaguer
since 1903, assumed her role as
First Lady in 1933. She was the
St. Louis Leaguers Marching
first of five Leaguers to become First
Lady and eventually became the
U.S. Delegate to the United Nations.
In 1981, Junior League of Phoenix
member Sandra Day O’Conner became
the first woman to be appointed a
Supreme Court Justice.
Though each member’s success was
not dependent upon the League, there
is a correlation between the essential
training that Mary Harriman set as
a core component years ago. The
League equips women with the skills
necessary to identify problems and
develop solutions – whether at home,
professionally, or for the League as
a whole. Case in point: former JLM
President Nancy Lindahl. Nancy
joined the League in 1980, served as
President from 1990–91 and has since
served on 26 community boards across
the Twin Cities. ¬“The training is what
opened the doors for me. I had lots
of practice in the trenches,” she said.
“Those doors never would have been
opened if I hadn’t learned how to be
an effective board member.”
Fortunately, much of the core training
that was available throughout the
Junior League’s past remains as
available today as it was in 1901.
“The training programs that we
offer—whether it be hands on or more
formulaic—are still very substantial,”
said Suzie. “We’ve evolved, but we’re
still successful.” That continued
evolution is part of what makes the
JLM stand out amongst the hundreds
of Leagues around the world.
According to Carol, who has national
experience within the League, “[T]he
Minneapolis League is not one of the
largest Leagues, but it has always been
one of the more progressive.” “We’ve
had women who were savvy and smart
and spoke out on a national level,”
added Nancy.
In the 1970s, Carol was instrumental
in eliminating the practice of voting
on an applicant for membership into
the League, advocating instead for
an open enrollment into the League.
Minneapolis member and recent
Katharine Phelps award winner
Marilyn Carlson Nelson recommended
the first African American woman into
the League—a relevant milestone even
today.
Although to some the name Junior
League may conjure up images of
society soirees and debutante balls,
Junior League members recognize
that it runs deeper than fundraising
luncheons and charity events. “I have
always said we are not a white-glove
organization, we are a rubber-glove
League,” said Nancy. “We roll up our
shirt sleeves and really dig into the
issues.” And those who have been
a part of it, either past or present,
understand that the Junior League
means women with a mission. It
always has and it always will.
A League of Our Own:
Hallmarks in JLM History
1923:
The Junior League of Minneapolis holds its first meeting on November 9.
The 60 members elect Katharine Phelps as President. Requirements are three business meetings per year, three
hours of work each week and $6 in dues.
1925:
The Children’s Theatre project is established. It will bring JLM-produced and performed plays into
schools for almost 45 years.
1925-26:
The JLM begins to finance the training and salary of a physiotherapist to care for polio survivors at General
Hospital. Six years later the Curative Workshop is founded.
1943:
A JLM cookbook with handwritten favorites from members is published. It raises more than $3,000.
1950-2005:
The Clothes Line Thrift Shop raises money for the League and gives back by providing gently used clothing at
affordable prices.
1953-54:
The JLM joins in the formation of a Children’s Hospital and pledges $21,000 to the Free Bed Fund, payable
over three years. By December 1954, Follies raises almost the entire amount and JLM pledges
an additional $20,000 for two playrooms.
1954:
The Puppetry Committee is established to perform shows in hospitals, schools and via TV.
1966:
The JLM starts a chorus group, LeagueAires, which is still active today. For decades this group of women
has performed inspirational and rousing numbers in local nursing homes.
1983:
The JLM opens the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery as a safe shelter
where parents can turn in times of need.
1984:
Twenty students participate in Teen Outreach (a national project), which is a collaboration with the Minneapolis
Public Schools and the Sheltering Arms Foundation to increase the number of high school graduates. By1989-
90, more than 200 teens have been involved and it becomes a part of Family and Children’s Services.
1991:
The JLM establishes the motto “Working gloves, not white gloves” for the new Helping Hands service, which is
designed to support community agencies and JLM projects with doing “done-in-a-day” projects.
1994:
Free Arts for Abused Children of Minnesota is established to bring creative arts activities such as music, dance
and painting to the victims and families of childhood abuse.
1997:
The JLM launches the Jeremiah Project, a life skills program that helps single mothers and their children learn
and grow together.
2001:
The American Girl Fashion Show fundraiser proves so popular it becomes its own annual event. Local girls
aged 5-12 showcase past and present styles from the American Girl collection.
2004:
Books 4 Kids works with agencies and public schools to collect books and donate them to children of lowerincome
families.
2008:
The JLM launches Kids in the Kitchen after piloting it via Helping Hands. An ALJI project undertaken by
many other Leagues, the project focuses on children and healthy eating.
2009:
The JLM launches Between the Lines, a program which strengthens the bond between incarcerated mothers
and their children through a literary experience. In each of its first two years, the committee worked with over
80 mothers and provided new books for more than 170 children.
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