Giving - Junior League of Minneapolis

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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. 24 Junior League of Minneapolis 25
Member scene quotable moments LUXURY SIMPLE. SUBTLE. APPROACHABLE. Do not despair: the young people who attend Minneapolis Public Schools are bright, eager and capable; they have high aspirations and a desire to go to college or get a good-paying job. They are every bit as capable as your own children or grandchildren, but the barriers they face are enormous and the schools alone cannot meet their needs. The reality is there are two Minneapolises – one which is affluent or at least middle class, with high functioning neighborhoods and schools, where most people have jobs, homes and health care. And another which is poor and challenged. These two realities play out every day in the Minneapolis Public Schools - Pam Costain, CAB member President and CEO of AchieveMpls. From her speech on the achievement gap at the September 2011 General Membership Meeting “The longevity of the League is impressive. Few organizations can claim such a rich and lasting legacy. Whenever people come together to be of service to others, our community is enriched and made stronger.” - Pam Costain Interior design by Karlene Hunter Baum Gretchen Baker 5200 Wilson Road, Suite 150 Edina, MN 55424 gretchen@gretchenbakerlaw.com Baker Law Firm Legal Expertise in: • Wills and Trusts • Business Contracts Who we are: Since 1946, an industry leader in creativity, innovation and award-winning interior design What we do: Anything and Everything. Project management and creative design from blueprint to actuality Unlimited possibilities Unique solutions Unsurpassed quality and value (612) 385-2727 www.gretchenbakerlaw.com Galleria • Edina • 952.927.1500 • www.gabberts.com
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Giving - Junior League of Minneapolis

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