Jill Rogers Barham - Junior League of Little Rock

Remembering What We’ve Learned:
A Look Back at the Junior League of
Little Rock’s Past By Tamika Edwards
A
s one of Arkansas’s oldest community service
organizations, the Junior League of Little Rock began its
journey in 1914 as an auxiliary to the United Charities,
which was the forerunner to what is now The United
Way. The League eventually wanted to establish its own projects,
so it ended its seven year relationship with the United Charities
and affiliated with the Association of Junior Leagues in 1922. In
1929, the Junior League of Little Rock became incorporated.
The League wasted no time instituting noteworthy projects. Its
first project was the Baby Welfare Station, which provided medical
examinations for infants and pre-school children and instruction in
health care for mothers. After ensuring a strong start, the project
was turned over to the City of Little Rock in 1937 to allow the
League to establish more projects.
Early on, the League recognized the need for cultural projects.
In 1928, the League formed the Arts and Interest Committee.
This committee’s work included children’s theater and Saturday
morning movies. Additionally, members produced plays and
created their own productions.
During the 1950’s, the League produced Story Teller Hours for
television. The Story Teller Hours promoted children’s interest in
the Public Library’s facilities. Afterwards, the League financed five
promotional films and made them available to schools, hospitals,
and other television stations.
Over the years, the League’s work in the Arts continued to thrive.
During the 1957-1958 League year,
the membership took on one of its most
ambitious projects – the establishment of a
community center of Arts and Sciences. Their
work led to what is now known
as the Arkansas Arts Center.
Today, the Arkansas Arts Center serves the entire state. Following
their work in the arts, the League again embarked on other
ambitious projects such as Bargain Box, a major source of
Community Trust Fund revenue and Gaines House, a home which
helps women adjust to community life after hospitalization.
The 1970’s proved to be even more fast-paced for the League.
During this time, members worked on three major fundraising
projects – Little Rock Cooks, Riverfest, and Bargain Barn – in
addition to its community projects such as Volunteers in Public
Schools (VIPS), Senior Citizens Activities Today (SCAT),
Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN), and Arkansas
Advocates for Children and Families.
In 1970, a cookbook, Little Rock Cooks, became one of the
League’s major fundraising techniques. In 1973, the original ten
thousand copies of the cookbook were sold, and by 1977, the book
was in its fifth printing.
Throughout the 1980’s and 1990’s, the League continued its
fundraising and community efforts. In 1980, the membership
voted to create another cookbook, Traditions, A Taste of the Good
Life. In 1982, the membership approved the Advocate Exchange
for the Handicapped and the Museum Education Expansion
Program as new projects. The League also approved new projects
such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Arkansas History and
Culture Curriculum, supplemental funding for the Centers for
Youth and Families’ Parent Center, and a consumer hotline, called
“Seven On Your Side,” along with KATV, Channel 7, that began
operation in October 1987.
In the 1990’s the League implemented a new vision statement
and moved toward a goal-centered methodology. As a result of
the League’s shift, the membership maximized its community
impact by concentrating on one large project rather than on several
smaller ones. The League continued to finance its projects and
involvements through Bargain Barn, Riverfest Novelty Sales,
and League Publications. The League also gave $91,000 to the
community and implemented one new fundraiser that proved to
be highly successful: Holiday House, a holiday shopping market,
which continues today. The projects and other involvement during
this decade included Arkansas Children’s Hospital “Kids’ TV,”
International Student Enrichment Exchange, Children’s Museum
of Arkansas, Community Bank, Potluck, and the Arkansas
Museum of Science and History, now known as the Museum of
Discovery.
As the League approaches the middle of the 2009-2010 League
year, members can look back with pride. The success of the last
nine years reflects the hard work and dedication of incredible
women. During the 2000 to 2003 League years, Members
successfully completed 12 community projects: ABC; ArtReach;
Boardwalk; Buckle Up and Be Safe; Kota Camp for Fun;
Community Bank; Education and Outreach through the Museum;
Nightingales; Potluck; Project 2000; Project Safe Space; and
Tomberlin. The League raised over $2 million to purchase and
18 Interaction l Holiday 2009