Building Charlotte

The Magazine of the
Junior League of Charlotte
Spring 2011
JLC Building Celebrates 50 Years
League’s Role in Fourth Ward Rebirth
Kids in Motion Preview
Ronald McDonald House to Open in April
Get Out and Volunteer
Kids in the Kitchen
a Better
Building Charlotte

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The CRIER Staff 2010-2011 JLC Staff JLC Board of Directors 2010-2011 JLC Management Team 2010-2011
Editor
Kim F. Grant
Administrative Director
Katrina Ford
President
Elizabeth Kovacs
President-Elect
Katie Zeok
Assistant Editor
Christine Nelson Sperow
Photography Manager
Jamie Doehne
Production Manager
TaLeayah Johnson
Ad Sales Manager
Erin Elizabeth Frye
Copy Editors
Leslie Adams, Heidi Giffin
Reporters
Elizabeth Boyd, Aimee Niemiec Greeter,
Rashanna M. Henderson, Tricia Wilson
Magee, Lauren Piscatelli Rozsak, Eve Smith,
Nicole Hargrove VandenBosch, Alyson
Vaughan, Natasha Witherspoon
Development Coordinator
Glenda Bernhardt
Controller
Saribeth Dozier
Bookkeeper and
Membership Secretary
Carolyn Parton
Information Systems Manager
Lisa Sturgis
Information Systems Assistant
Becky Clark
JLC WearHouse Manager
Michele Britt
1332 Maryland Avenue • Charlotte, NC 28209
Telephone (704) 375-5993 • Facsimile (704) 375-9730
Website www.jlcharlotte.org
President-Elect
Katie Zeok
Chief Financial Officer
Rosalie Fink
VP Finance
Mary Katherine Bridgers
Nominating Chair
Tiffany Johannes
Board of Directors Secretary
Amie Hutchison
Sustaining Advisor
Mary Tinkey
Members-at-Large
Katie Cox, Dee Flesch, Mary Weeks
Fountain, Michlene Daoud Healy,
Jan Higley, Carin Ross Johnson,
Alicia Morris, Andrea Powell,
Whitni Wilson-Wertz
Sustaining Advisor
Margueritte Andresen
Management Team Secretary
Melanie Pullins
Nominating Vice Chair
Stephanie Simon
Human Resources Manager
Erin Maddrey
Communications Manager
Amanda Loftus
Community Impact Manager
Annie Williams
Education and Training Manager
Abbey Moeller
Fund Development Manager
Beverley Shull
Finance Manager
Martine Bryant
Risk Manager
Shannon Vandiver
On The Cover: The Berryhill House in Fourth
Ward was saved by the Junior League of
Charlotte, sparking the revitalization of this
historic neighborhood.
PHOTO BY KIM F. GRANT
The Crier is published four times annually by the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc.
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To advertise in The CRIER, please call the Junior League of Charlotte at
(704) 375-5993 or e-mail jlcrier@yahoo.com
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The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 3

President’s Letter
Ten
years ago, I joined the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) as a transfer
member from a much smaller League in Florida. My first experience as a
JLC member was a game night for transfers in the Community Room of the JLC
Building. I met women that night who are my friends today and who helped me
acclimate to life in the Queen City.
The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc.
Mission Statement
The Junior League of Charlotte,
Inc. is an organization of women
committed to promoting
voluntarism, to developing the
potential of women, and to
improving the community
through the effective action and
leadership of trained volunteers.
Its purpose is exclusively
educational and charitable.
Reaching Out Statement
The Junior League of Charlotte,
Inc. and The Association of
Junior Leagues International,
Inc. reach out to women of all
races, religions and national
origins who demonstrate an
interest in and commitment to
voluntarism.
Little did I know then how much time I would spend in our headquarters at 1332
Maryland Avenue. My 4 year old daughter knows the JLC Building as a place with
vintage toys and yummy snacks. I have attended meetings in every room, and I have
come to know the building like I know my own home. This year, I am fortunate to
take up residence in the president’s office. When I reflect upon my decade at the
JLC Building, what I remember most fondly is the work; cleaning the building,
stuffing envelopes, planting flowers and other tasks, always surrounded by dear
friends and lots of laughter.
Our headquarters was established in 1960 and received a major renovation in 1986.
Since then, we have restored the Berryhill House and Duke Mansion, and built the
Double Oaks Family Resource Center, the JLC Family Resource Center at Levine
Children’s Hospital, as well as homes for Habitat for Humanity. Our beautiful JLC
Building has retained its charm and weathered the many years of activity and
hundreds of volunteers who have worked on any number of community or in-
League projects. I often think “if these walls could talk…” Soon, it will be time for
us to upgrade our own building for future generations of volunteer service.
Though my time as JLC president is coming to an end, my time as a JLC member is
just beginning. I look forward to continuing my training as a League member in the
years to come, and I can’t wait to join the sustainer investment club. I may even join
the knitting group or Shakespeare class, but mostly I look forward to making more
friends and sharing more laughs on Maryland Avenue. I also look forward to seeing
what future League leaders do with our beloved JLC Building to sustain it and
provide our members with a warm and inviting space continue the great work of
the JLC, and I will help them in any way I can. I hope you will do the same.
As always, thank you for all you do to support the members and the mission of the
JLC!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Kovacs
2010-2011 JLC President
4 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

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Editor’s Letter
Like
many League members, my first visit to the JLC Building was for a
prospective member meeting when I was considering joining the Junior
League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC). In the more than 10 years since, I have frequented
the JLC Building for committee meetings, leadership training, to drop off or pick up
items and, on occasion, simply planted myself in the office of one of our fabulous
JLC staff members for advice and counsel. The location is very convenient to my
home and I have surely taken it for granted. Recently a long time League friend
asked me to share my very personal journey through infertility at a member
workshop at the JLC Building. As I stood in the Community Room, recounting my
own story and looking around at the 40 or so women actively participating in the
evening, the value of the JLC Building came to me. This was a discussion that could
never have occurred in a public space and the crowd was too large for a member’s
living room, but it was perfect within the walls of the Community Room of the JLC
Building. I reflected on the Community Advisory Board Luncheon I attended in the
fall and so many other gatherings where community partners and civic leaders joined
with JLC members to share ideas and shape plans to improve our community. These
too were discussions that could only have occurred with the safe walls of the JLC
Building. Once again, I felt the wisdom of our JLC forebears.
The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc.
Vision Statement
The Junior League of Charlotte,
Inc. will be a leading force in
improving the lives of children
and families in the community.
Diversity Statement
The Junior League of Charlotte,
Inc. will maximize its potential
and enhance its effectiveness by
integrating diversity into every
aspect of its organization.
This issue commemorates the history of the JLC Building which celebrates its 50th
anniversary this year. I love the quirky story of its humble beginnings which was
nearly forgotten until our Historian Committee uncovered and documented the
details through interviews with the women who brought the building to bear. I hope
it is a story that our newer members will cherish and keep alive. Not long after the
League established the JLC Building, our members undertook another major renovation
and construction project. This time, not a single structure, but an entire
neighborhood; Fourth Ward. Without the intervention of the JLC and key leaders in
the city of Charlotte, we might have lost this Uptown gem forever. The story of how
the Berryhill House was saved and renovated, sparking the refurbishment of this
architecturally and historically significant neighborhood in our Center City is
something every JLC member can take pride in.
In keeping with the ‘building’ theme, we are previewing the grand opening of
the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte in this issue. The JLC contributed both
volunteers and funds to make this valuable resource a reality. If you haven’t driven
down Morehead Street near Kings Drive recently, I encourage you to do so and take
a look at this fantastic facility which will benefit so many families who have come to
Charlotte seeking treatment for their seriously ill children.
History does matter. It has been my distinct pleasure in this and the two prior issues
to share our JLC history with our members and community partners. On behalf of
the entire staff of The CRIER and the JLC, I want to express thanks to the Historian
Committee for their work in uncovering and capturing our rich history in such a way
that we could easily access and write about it. It is so important to capture the stories
of League days long gone by before those memories are forgotten. Hopefully we’ve
cast a new light on JLC history or taught you something you didn’t know before
about our League. More than anything, I hope we’ve done our part in keeping these
wonderful stories alive.
Sincerely,
Kim F. Grant
2010-2011 JLC CRIER Editor
6 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

Spring
Volume 84 • Issue 3
2011
Crier Contents
League Highlight
8
If These Walls Could Talk
The Story of the JLC Building as
It Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
Volunteer Highlight
12
13
The Women Behind the Building
Sally Van Allen and Alice Sebrell
Did You Know...
JLC 101: League Leaders in
the Community
Leadership Spotlight
14
Presidential Visit
AJLI President Unveils
Strategic Roadmap
15
An Intimate Conversation
with Toni Freeman
Breaking Barriers and Taking Her Leadership
International
Events and Happenings
16
Something to Smile About
Ensuring Charlotte’s Children Have
Access to Dental Health Resources
17
Ready. . . Set. . . Kids in Motion!
The Family’s Fun Zone
Candid Camera
18
JLC Members
Caught on Camera
Member to Member
20
Dealing with Infertility
Workshop Helps JLC Members Cope
and Describes Options
Meet the...
21
JLC Historians
Why History Matters
Mission in Action
22
23
KIPP Charlotte
The Newest JLC Partnership
Investing in the JLC
The Annual Campaign and JLC
Legacy Foundation
24
A Home Away from Home
The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte
Prepares to Welcome Families
4 President’s Letter
6 Editor’s Letter
35 Index to Advertisers
Historic JLC Charlotte
26
Historic Community Impact
Junior League of Charlotte’s Role in the
Revitalization of Uptown Charlotte
Comings and Goings
29
30
31
32
The Dream Team
Meet the New JLC Leaders
Timeless Trends
For Spring
Charlotte by the Numbers
1960: A Time of Change and Growth
Simple Spring Snacks
Kid-Friendly Recipes from Kids
in the Kitchen
33
34
35
Get Out and Volunteer
Spring Forward and Serve
From the JLC Archives
JLC Building Wish List
Index To Advertisers
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 7

If These Walls
Could Talk
The Story of the JLC Building as It
Celebrates Its 50th Anniversary
BY TRICIA WILSON MAGEE
There
is a saying that home is where the heart is.
For the past 50 years, the heart of the
Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) has been the JLC
Building, a structure saved from demolition, donated to
the JLC and literally moved down the street to a location
leased from the City of Charlotte, and renovated over the
years to keep up with the evolving needs of the membership.
The JLC Building has done more than provide a
gathering space for the hard working staff and dedicated
volunteers who strive to make Charlotte a better place. As
the League celebrates the 50th anniversary of the JLC
Building, we take a look back at the storied history of the
place that is the nucleus of operations supporting the
women and the mission of the JLC.
A Firm Foundation
Since the JLC was founded in 1926, League members
have conducted meetings in various locations including
Charlotte Country Club, an old Exxon Building on
Woodlawn Road and the Mint Museum. During the first
30-plus years, most League business took place in JLC
members’ homes. In the mid-1950s, Jane Sutton Branson,
then chair of the Advisory Planning Committee, recalls
other Leagues around the country establishing their own
headquarters. The results of a November 1957 questionnaire
indicated that JLC members were interested in
establishing a base for JLC operations. Branson laughingly
adds that League members wanted a central location so
that they could “get files out of their closets and out from
underneath their beds.”
Following the survey results, the Advisory Planning
Committee began the arduous task of determining what
sort of headquarters the League needed and could afford.
The first step involved fundraising and in February 1958,
members voted to raise dues for all members with the
increased funds to be deposited into a building fund.
The JLC also instituted a capital campaign to raise an
additional $35,000 through pledges that could be paid
over a five-year period. Sally Van Allen served as JLC
president from 1958-59 and recalls how easily membership
met the building fundraising goals.
JLC Building Chronology
1926
1957
1958
1959
1960
1979
1983
1984
1985
1986
2010
Junior League of Charlotte, Inc.
(JLC) formed
November
JLC member survey confirms interest
in a ‘home’ for the JLC
February
JLC Members vote to raise dues and
launch a capital campaign to raise funds
September 18
Kat Belk learns about the availability of
the White Cottage
October 6 - 7
Members vote to acquire the White Cottage
and lease land near Freedom Park
October 14
Myers Park Presbyterian Church agrees to
give the White Cottage to the JLC
October 19
JLC secures a 20-year lease on the land
near Freedom Park from the Parks and
Recreatin Commission for $1 per year
October 28
The White Cottage is taken to its new
home at 1332 Maryland Ave
October 4
Dedication ceremony of the new
JLC Building
Land lease renewed for 10 more years
at the continued rate of $1 per year
May
Headquarters Task Force evaluates
future facility needs of the JLC
March
Headquarters Task Force recommends
renovating JLC Building
April
50-year land lease approved for the
1332 Maryland Avenue location
Fall
“Raise the Roof” fundraising campaign
kicks off to cover renovation costs
January
Groundbreaking ceremony coincides
with JLC’s 60th anniversary
October
JLC moves into its renovated headquarters
October
JLC Building celebrates 50 years!
8 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

In the midst of the fundraising campaign, a unique
opportunity presented itself, requiring quick action on the
part of the JLC. This is noted in archives as follows: “On
Friday, September 18, an idea was born. By Wednesday,
October 28, the Charlotte Junior League had a building
and a wooded lot on which to put it.” It all began when
Katherine “Kat” Belk became aware that the White
Cottage at Myers Park Presbyterian Church, which had
been used for years as a Boy Scout hut, was scheduled to
be demolished. The Advisory Planning Committee solicited
and received reports from three reputable contractors who
found the building to be valued at $10,000 and in good
condition. The committee then obtained two bids for the
actual moving of the structure. Alice Sebrell, JLC president
from 1959-60 recalls, “We had one very low bid to move
the building. When the time came, we had to track down
the man all over town. He didn’t want to do it. But we
found him, and he did it.”
Belk, Branson and Sebrell also met with representatives
from the Charlotte Parks and Recreation Commission to
explore a land lease on a wooded area in Freedom Park on
Maryland Avenue. Branson recalls, “I had a good time
working with Alice and Kat. It was a fun project trying to
convince decision makers that providing land to the
League would benefit the community as a whole. We were
The White Cottage was
moved from Myers Park
Presbyterian Church and
was placed on a
platform until the
weather improved.
PHOTO FROM JLC ARCHIVES
focused and determined to make it work.” Special
meetings were held by the JLC Board of Directors and the
general membership, which unanimously voted in favor of
obtaining both the building and land. Architect Norman
Pease, Jr., who had volunteered his services to design the
brick front to make the building compatible with its Myers
Park neighbors, assured the Charlotte Parks and Recreation
Commission that the building would be attractive and
enhance the property in Freedom Park. The Commission
voted to lease the land to the JLC on a 20-year basis for
the rate of $1 per year. Later that same day, City Council
voted unanimously to lease the land, and that night, the
Board of Trustees of the nearby Children’s Nature Museum
also unanimously endorsed the JLC’s use of the land. Just
nine days later on October 28, the framed cottage was
taken to its new home at 1332 Maryland Avenue.
JLC members voted overwhelmingly to proceed with
needed improvements to the White Cottage. JLC member
solicitations sought “100 percent contribution, large or
small, so we will have the feeling that this building belongs
to each of us.” At the Sustainer Luncheon on November 5,
1959, attendees viewed plans by Building Committee
Chairman Betty Hayes, received pledge cards, and heard a
“rousing pep talk” from Angelia Harris urging participation.
Mary Parker, in an article for the December 1959
issue of The CRIER, noted, “The general feeling concerning
the house by all present seemed to be one of approval and
enthusiasm.”
Construction did not proceed as quickly as the JLC and its
Maryland Avenue neighbors had hoped. An unusually
snowy and icy winter prevented the foundation from being
The JLC Building continues to be a valuable resource to
League members and the community.
PHOTO FROM JLC ARCHIVES
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 9

poured. The frame building sat on a platform where it had
been deposited in October and JLC leaders spent countless
hours trying to pacify neighbors’ complaints and objections
as the harsh winter wore on. Once the weather cleared in
the spring, the construction project resumed.
On October 4, 1960, approximately 125 civic leaders
attended the dedication ceremony for the new JLC
Building. Attendees included representatives from almost
every organization and agency with whom the League had
worked. In addition, the JLC hosted an open house for
friends of the League, which was attended by more than
300 people. Nearly 350 members attended two League
meetings at the new building that same month. Branson
recalls League members, civic leaders, and even some
previously skeptical neighbors were “delighted” with the
finished project.
On October 10, 1960, the Building Fund had a remaining
balance of $128.55. The JLC had received $43,234.99
from pledges, the increased portion of the dues and other
sources, and had spent approximately $43,106.44 to move
and improve the White Cottage. Over the next few
months, the JLC Building received gifts of plants, office
equipment, and other furnishings and quickly became a
home to League activities.
Raise the Roof
As the JLC continued to grow, so did the need for more
space. By the 1980s, membership had more than doubled,
growing to 1500 active and sustaining members. In May
1983 JLC President Corinne Allen appointed a
Headquarters Task Force to study whether the current
building could meet the League’s needs over the next 15
years. Led by Townley Moon, the task force concluded that
the building could not meet the
future needs of the JLC and
recommended renovating the current
structure. Belk, who was a sustainer
by that time, said, “The decision to
stay makes those of us who
originally chose the location feel that
we made a good choice.” The task
force formulated a wish list of
improvements to be made, and the
JLC hired architect Jim Meyer, of
Meyer-Greeson and husband of JLC
member Sayre Meyer, to develop
plans for a building that would meet
the organization’s needs for the next
25 years. Cynthia Marshall, JLC
president from 1984-85, remembers
JLC members having mixed emotions
about raising money to be used by
the League itself when there were so
many needs in the community. In an
attempt to appease members’
concerns, she wrote in her president’s letter in the April
1985 issue of The CRIER, “Our revitalized place can
increase the opportunities for personal interaction and
fellowship, and can be the springboard for a renewed
commitment to community involvement.” Once put to a
vote, JLC members overwhelming supported the proposal
to hold a capital campaign to raise funds for building
improvements.
Before proceeding with renovations, the JLC needed to
revisit the lease on the Maryland Avenue property. The
original 20-year lease had been extended for 10 years in
1979 at the continued rate of $1 per year. With only five
years left on that lease, then JLC lawyer Zach Smith
advised members in a CRIER article that, “a minimum
30-year lease is necessary to justify a large expenditure
for expansion of the building.” The process began in
August 1984, and in April 1985, the city approved and
executed a 50-year lease with the JLC at the original rate
of $1 per year.
With the lease extension secured, the “Raise the Roof”
fundraising campaign began with a goal of $400,000
and 100 percent member participation. Kathy Southerland,
JLC president 1985-86, distinctly remembers that during
the campaign, the architectural plans were mounted on
the wall in the main room of the JLC Building so that
members could see what the new facility would look like.
To the surprise of many, pledges and donations surpassed
the JLC’s goal and, in only four weeks, brought in more
than $550,000 from League members, corporations and
private foundations.
The JLC awarded the renovation contract to Strickland,
Inc., General Contractors in 1986. The groundbreaking
10 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

ceremony coincided with the celebration of the 60th
anniversary of the JLC and attendees still remember the
bitter cold temperatures at the January ceremony. While
the building was under construction, the Bissell Companies
provided space for JLC administrative offices and
LeaguePrint, which was a critical JLC fundraiser at the
time. Wardie Martin, a sustainer who also worked in the
League office for more than 27 years, remembers the day
the JLC moved out of the building to make way for the
renovation. “Nobody wanted to touch the attic,” Martin
jokes. “For years, records piled up in the attic and when it
came time to move its contents, it was a major project. I
still remember the day we brought everything down.”
Jane Harrell led the Headquarters Committee that made
decisions concerning furnishings for the renovated
building. Martin recalls, “Jane and her committee worked
like dogs to carefully choose furniture and decor that
would provide a soothing and functional interior.” When
the JLC moved back into its newly renovated and
expanded building in October 1986, members immediately
started putting the rooms to use. “Everyone was so
mindful to take care of our new space. There was a
concerted effort to not ‘junk up’ the building,” recalls
Martin. The League was proud to show off the new facility
to neighbors when the JLC Building operated as a voting
precinct while Myers Park Traditional School underwent
renovations. Surplus funds from the building renovation
were deposited into an operations fund. “We felt as
though we were stewards of the building and needed
to keep up the interior and keep it nice. When it came
time for new carpets or for a new furnace, the money
raised during the renovation campaign paid these costs,”
says Martin.
Moving Forward
The JLC Building continues to be a valuable resource to
League members and the community. President Elizabeth
Kovacs notes, “The Charlotte community and our membership
have changed so much in 50 years, and our beautiful
JLC Building has kept up just like our organization has. The
women who chose the Freedom Park site could not have
picked a better location. Today, the JLC Building serves as a
central location for members who live as far north as
Mooresville and as far south as Rock Hill.”
At the original JLC Building dedication ceremony in
October 1960, Arthur Jones, civil rights leader and friend
of the League, congratulated the JLC and noted, “In an
age of tension, fear and destruction, this new home of the
League is no monument to past success. It is a symbol of
future success in the constructive area of human life” Fifty
years later, the JLC Building continues to serve as a symbol
of this organization’s dedication to bettering life in the
Charlotte community today and into the future.
JLC to Participate
in Strategic Planning
The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) was recently selected by the Association of Junior
Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) to participate on an AJLI Active Learning Team (ALT) as a part
of the AJLI’s strategic planning process. Alicia Morris and Whitni Wilson-Wertz led the task
force which submitted the application for ALT consideration. In the JLC application request
Morris and Wilson-Wertz described participating in the ALTs as “an opportunity for members
to think globally and act locally.”
Charged with exploring issues in one of three distinct focus areas - Membership, Governance
and Management and Community Impact - the ALTs will tackle a variety of issues and develop
innovative solutions within their area of study. The JLC is assigned to the Membership ALT and
will work closely with Leagues from Chattanooga, Orlando, Sacramento, Knoxville, Little Rock
and Seattle. This is both an honor and an opportunity for the JLC. Look for more details and
ALT progress notes in coming issues.
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 11

TheWomen Behind the
Sally Van Allen and Alice Sebrell BY TRICIA WILSON MAGEE
When
Sally Van Allen and Alice Sebrell first
joined the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc.
(JLC), or the Charlotte Junior League as it was then called,
board meetings took place in members’ homes. By the
time their years of service as president were over, board
meetings and more were taking place in the new JLC
Building on Maryland Avenue. Both women, who continue
to serve as sustaining members of the JLC, played integral
roles in securing the funding, the building and the site for
the place the JLC still calls home today.
Van Allen served as president of the JLC from 1958-59.
Originally from Charleston, South Carolina, she joined the
Junior League of Charleston
following graduation from
Sweetbrier College. After
marrying her husband Bill, an
attorney, Van Allen moved from
Charleston to Washington, D.C.,
where she was also involved in
the Junior League. In 1950 the
Van Allens moved to Charlotte
where Bill Van Allen started the
law firm of Lassiter, Moore and
Van Allen. Sallie Van Allen
continued her League service
and quickly became an active
member of the local community.
When she accepted the gavel in
1958, Van Allen was also
handed the task of raising
money and developing a plan to
secure a headquarters building.
She admits that at the time, two
things were nonexistent in
Charlotte – a headquarters
building for the JLC and an
interest in the arts. “Raising the
money for a building was easy,”
says Van Allen. “It was no
burden to raise the money
thanks to the hard work of the committee members.
The biggest challenge was trying to move forward with
a focus on the arts.” Although Van Allen is proud the JLC
succeeded in its fundraising efforts to establish a League
home, the vibrant arts scene in Charlotte today is also a
tribute to her and the JLC’s efforts in the late 1950s and
early 1960s. When she has some rare free time, Van Allen
continues to support the arts by visiting local museums
and attending symphony performances.
Building
After kicking off the building fund
campaign to a strong start, Van
Allen passed the gavel to Sebrell,
who served as JLC president from
1959-60. Like her predecessor,
Alice Sebrell and her family graced the September 1959 cover of
The CRIER, just weeks before Sebrell packed up her brood and
followed the White Cottage through the streets of Myers Park.
Sally Van Allen
PHOTO BY ANGELA SMITH
Sebrell had years of experience with the JLC, including
serving as editor of The CRIER, before taking the reigns as
president. She moved to Charlotte and joined the League
after graduating from Saint Mary’s Junior College and the
University of North Carolina. Her husband, Emmett,
worked for the construction firm of McDevitt and Street
and also played a role in procuring the new JLC Building.
While Van Allen laid the groundwork with fundraising, the
unusual circumstances that led
to the acquisition of the building
and the lease of the land
occurred during Sebrell’s tenure.
Ann S. Ehringhaus, Sebrell’s
daughter, remembers her
mother's excitement when the
JLC acquired the White Cottage.
On the day the building was to
be moved, Sebrell packed up her
four children, including her sixmonth-old
daughter, also named
Alice, in the family's station
wagon and headed over to the
church. Ehringhaus vividly
recalls, "My mom followed the
moving truck from Myers Park
Presbyterian to the Maryland
Avenue site by the park. I still
remember sitting in the station
wagon with my brothers and
sisters as we drove right behind
the building the entire way."
Reflecting back on her year as
president in a prior interview
with The CRIER, Sebrell
summarized her service as being
a year of “hard work, pacifying
neighbors, decorating and landscaping.” The end result, of
course, was the beautiful new JLC Building.
Both Sebrell and Van Allen enthusiastically overcame
significant challenges during their respective service as
president. Their hard work was manifest the day the JLC
Building opened. The fact these two ladies continue as
sustaining members today further demonstrates their
commitment to the Junior League of Charlotte and its
continued goal to improve the Charlotte community.
12 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

JLC
League Leaders in the Community
101
BY KIM F. GRANT
mission of the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc.
The (JLC) states that the JLC is “committed to
developing the potential of women, and to improving
the community through the effective action and
leadership of trained volunteers.” The JLC offers women
the opportunity to develop new skills and refine existing
skills through training directly related to their League
roles, as well as general leadership development training.
Women use their acquired skills on behalf of the JLC to
improve the community.
Many League members take the skills they acquire in
the JLC beyond their League placement to improve the
Charlotte community. Countless members hold board
positions with local agencies and volunteer in addition
to their League commitment. Katrina Ford, JLC
Administrative Director, is one of those women. She
shared the reaction of a fellow board member upon
learning that she is a member of the JLC. “He said,
‘I knew you were a League member the minute you sat
down with your materials, ready to begin the meeting.
I can always tell a League member because she is so well
prepared,’” Ford recalls. Truly, League women in all their
community service extend the positive image of the Junior
League of Charlotte.
Some League leaders have taken their skills to new
heights in leadership roles within Charlotte non-profits
and serving in politics where they can uniquely impact
needed change. The women recognized here have
served in the past or currently serve as a leader with a
local organization, currently serve or have served in public
office. If these names look familiar, it’s because these
women are past presidents who have extended their
JLC know-how and leadership expertise beyond their
League service.
JLC past presidents Cynthia Marshall,
Velva Woollen and Kelley Cobb are actively
involved with the JLC as well as with other
Charlotte community organizations.
PHOTO BY KIM F. GRANT
This list is by no means exhaustive, so advance apologies
to anyone whose service is overlooked. Unfortunately
the League does not have complete community service
records and resumes for all JLC members, including
past presidents. The JLC encourages members who
are active on nonprofit boards or in day-to-day
operations of nonprofits to update their profile online at
www.jlcharlotte.org or contact Lisa Sturgis at the JLC
Building for assistance with updating member profiles.
The Junior League of Charlotte is grateful to these
women for their exemplary volunteer service within and
beyond the League.
Past presidents serving non-profits
and in public service
Mary Montague
Ann Thomas
Martha Alexander
Velva Woollen
Corinne Allen
Cynthia Marshall
Hope Parrott
Margaret Sigmon
Stacy Jesso
Toni Freeman
Trish Hobson
Kelley Cobb
Children’s Theatre
Mecklenburg County Commission
N.C. House of Representatives
Kidney Foundation, Charlotte City Council
CMS Education Foundation
Communities in Schools
Hospitality House
The Fletcher School
Presbyterian Hospital Foundation
Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education
Men’s Shelter of Charlotte
Teen Health Connection
The following excerpt from a Town and Country article (date unknown) was reprinted in the March 1960 edition of The CRIER.
“
The rent that a person pays for living in a free society is not the financial contribution that he makes, but the
giving of himself. Voluntary effort is the very substance of democracy and working together has always been a
part of the American way of life. This concept of volunteer service is the cornerstone of The Junior League
program. A carefully planned system of placement of volunteers enables the member to choose from the
available jobs the particular type of work that best suits her own interests and abilities.
”
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 13

Presidential Visit
AJLI President Unveils Strategic Roadmap
BY NICOLE HARGROVE VANDENBOSCH
December 2, 2010, the Association of Junior
On Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) President Delly
Beekman came to Charlotte for a visit. Beekman, along
with AJLI Executive Director Susan Danish and AJLI Board
Members Sandra Thomas (Treasurer), Karen Miller (At-
Large Director) and Becker Holland (Area III Director), were
invited to visit the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) in
order to both celebrate this momentous year and to
present the Strategic Roadmap of the AJLI.
In addition to serving as the 2010-12 AJLI president,
Beekman is an active member and past president of the
Junior League of Monmouth County, New Jersey. She has
served on numerous boards and in leadership positions in
her hometown. Beekman was pleased with the invitation
to attend an event during the JLC’s anniversary year. “I
love this because you meet so many different women who
share a common purpose,” says Beekman. “Usually, if I get
invited to visit, I say ‘yes’.”
level of active
involvement.
Women may no
longer have to
choose all or
nothing. Perhaps
a lower level of
involvement
JLC active Beverly Shull with
AJLI President Delly Beekman
during her visit to Charlotte.
PHOTO BY NICOLE HARGROVE
VANDENBOSCH
while one is very busy with life’s demands can lead to
more involvement years later. As two-thirds of AJLI
members are sustainers, their potential as a resource to the
League is unquestionable. Says Beekman, “Leagues need
to create more flexibility and a woman’s experience needs
to be tailored to where she is in her life and what skills she
wants to develop.”
This has led to a new Vision Statement for AJLI: The Junior
League: Women around the world as catalysts for lasting
community change
The evening began with a lovely holiday cocktail reception
where attendees mingled and enjoyed wine and delicious
hors-d'oeuvres. After AJLI executive members mingled with
JLC attendees, the presentation of the Strategic Roadmap
began. “Your League has been an outstanding contributor
to our organization,” exclaimed Beekman after a few
opening words. “I think you’ve had an extraordinary
record and made a significant impact within the
Association.”
The Strategic Roadmap is an exciting new plan for the way
the AJLI is to be run. The executive board, with feedback
from Junior League chapters and individual members from
across the country, has unveiled new initiatives to better
meet the needs of today’s member.
One major need of the modern Junior League member is
to be able to fit their service into a life full of work, family
and personal obligations. Some women who may have
wanted to join the Junior League couldn’t find the time
to do so with the current requirements that are in place
which has led to a decline in membership numbers. One
focus of the Strategic Roadmap is to be more flexible to fit
the schedules of different women in different stages of
their lives.
Another issue that the Strategic Roadmap is hoping to
address is many members’ desire to continue active
involvement later in life. Sustainers and other women who
are close to becoming sustainers have told AJLI that they
want to be able to stay in as actives, but with a different
The process of developing a Strategic Roadmap for the
future of the League led to the creation of the following
five strategic questions:
• What is the focus of the Junior League’s three-part
mission?
• What does it mean for the organization to be global?
What does “women around the world” in the new
vision statement mean?
• Does the membership model work? Is the concept of
“lifelong membership” still realistic and meaningful and
what is our value proposition to members?
• What should the governance and management models for
both the local Leagues and AJLI headquarters look like?
• What should the relationship between AJLI headquarters
and local Leagues look like and how can AJLI best
support Leagues of differing sizes and trends?
The next step in this new initiative is to introduce Action
Learning Teams (ALTs) to the League (see page 11 for
details about how the JLC is involved).
A survey has been developed to send to the membership
and should be available by May. Danish challenges, “When
this survey comes out - asking things such as what boards
and non profits you belong to - I hope every single one of
you will fill it out.” AJLI is creating as many as 15 action
items, including issue-based community impact, tackling
the membership model (including looking at multiple
entry points and hiatus) and the governance and management
model. Danish sums it up well, “We’ve got to really
be bold.”
14 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

AnIntimate
Conversation
Breaking Barriers and Taking Her
Leadership International
BY RASHANNA M. HENDERSON
She
is gracious, poised, and her community service
biography is extensive and admirable. A
Charlotte community leader and strong advocate for
community voluntarism, she is now slated to be the
2011 president-elect and 2012-14 president of the
Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI).
She is Toni Freeman, the first African-American to serve
as president of the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC)
during 2003-04.
In an intimate conversation, Freeman reflected on her
tenure as JLC president and discussed her plans to lead
AJLI. Freeman joined the JLC in 1993. She has seen the
organization evolve throughout the years and says, “We
have perhaps diversified the way that we raise money;
however, our core mission and founding legacy of commitment
to the community and to our members, those
elements have not changed. We do all that we do
honorably and courageously.”
When Freeman joined the League, she was already very
involved in the community. She was impressed by the
organization’s effectiveness in equipping volunteers.
“Training its volunteers is the League’s hallmark. I use my
League training all the time internally and externally to the
organization. JLC is able to do all the great work because
of all the great training that it provides,” says Freeman.
Freeman humbly embraces the historical meaning that her
presidency as the first African-American has on the Junior
League community and does not take it for granted. “I
think less of my tenure as the first African-American to
serve as president as ‘breaking a barrier,’ as much as I feel
as though I was a part of moving the JLC to a new part of
its history,” says Freeman. “The League has been growing
and changing all along and it continues to grow. My
presidency was a part of the JLC keeping in step with
many other changes in Charlotte over the years.”
When asked how her experience in the JLC has been
unique as an African-American woman, she replies, “I
think my experience in the League was more notably
different in the beginning as there were very few women
of color in the League and externally that was noticed. I
was one of two African-American women in my year-long
provisional class of 180 women. Today, the League is a lot
more diverse and women of color and women working out
of their home are well-represented. As a provisional, I
withToni Freeman
always felt welcomed,
nurtured and empowered,
and none of that has
changed from the beginning
until today. As a result I have
made life-long friends.”
To get a sense of her impact
during her term as JLC
president, Freeman
accomplished many
milestones which she proudly
shares. “It was the first time
we adopted policy governance and created a
Toni Freeman, JLC President
2003-04 and AJLI President-Elect
PHOTO PROVIDED BY TONI FREEMAN
Management Team that was separate from the Board of
Directors,” says Freeman. The Nordstrom grand opening
created a successful partnership that continued beyond the
event for two years. This was also the JLC’s first joint
venture with the Links, Inc., a volunteer organization of
which she is also a member. This was also the banner year
for revenue sales at the JLC WearHouse, generating higher
revenue than ever before in League history.
Freeman is currently the Director of Donor and Business
Relations at Mecklenburg Citizens for Public Education
(MeckEd). She knows first-hand what is required to
manage and grow a successful organization. Of her
prospective AJLI position she says, “Right now our
Association is creating the Strategic Roadmap and getting
a lot of input from League members and leaders. I’d like us
to continue that level of engagement after crafting that
plan. I want to make sure that our Association supports
individual Leagues to give them the tools and resources
they need to be effective in their respective communities.”
When asked what motivates her, Freeman says, “I am
inspired by how creative and resourceful Junior League
members are in coming together collaboratively to find
solutions to help others in their communities.” She adds,
“I am inspired by acts of kindness, by our sense of
humanity, care and concern for others, and a sisterhood
that is so empowering that people do their best to put
together their best work.”
Freeman’s love of service is what allows her to achieve
balance in all of her commitments. Her love of and
dedication to the empowerment of humanity is what
makes her a true inspiration.
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 15

Give Them a
Reason to Smile
Ensuring Charlotte’s Children Have
Access to Dental Health Resources
BY AIMEE NIEMIEC GREETER
The
Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) Children’s
Dental Health Committee and JLC Puppets
Committee have had a busy winter preparing for the
launch of two significant initiatives that will help increase
awareness and access to appropriate dental health
resources for Charlotte’s children.
The Children’s Dental Health Committee diligently
prepared for and implemented Give Kids a Smile Day, held
Friday, Feb. 25. This event was previously presented in
affiliation with various community partners and this year
marked the first time the League managed the entire event
internally. While an ambitious goal, the committee was
able to provide dental health services to 85 children during
the one-day event. In 10 dentist offices throughout
Mecklenburg County, children ranging from ages 6 to 18
were given dental examinations and education regarding
proper dental hygiene. In addition, each child was provided
a complimentary toothbrush and toothpaste to take home,
so they can put into practice the lessons learned during
their check-up. Elizabeth Perry, chair of the Children’s
Dental Health Committee, notes, “We are excited about
our ability to bring increased awareness to the need for
dental health services for all children in our community.”
the comprehensive Healthy Child Initiative. In addition to
their first DVD, You Are What You Eat!, the JLC Puppets
Committee recently completed a new DVD, Keep Your
Teeth Clean with Pearl the Tooth Queen, which stars Pearl,
the head tooth fairy, along with her associate tooth fairies,
Brush, Floss and Plaque. Thanks to the financial support
of the Merancas Foundation, Inc., the JLC Puppets
Committee, in collaboration with Grey Seal Puppets, Inc.,
created the characters, story line and script for the skit.
The skit was then edited and produced on a professional
quality DVD and replicated to allow distribution to a wide
audience. On February 16, the committee hosted a launch
party for the DVD in conjunction with the kick-off for Give
Kids a Smile Day. More than 50 area dentists, school
nurses and other community supporters attended the
event and viewed the first public showing of the new DVD.
Laughter rang through the room as attendees listened to
Pearl explain how many times per day children need to
brush and floss their teeth to keep them healthy. Drew
Allison, a puppeteer with Grey Seal Puppets, Inc. and a
major contributor to this initiative, says, “It was neat to see
the DVD finished and know how many people went into
creating it. I cannot say enough about the JLC
puppeteers.” This spring, the committee will begin distributing
the DVDs to schools, dental and medical health
professionals and community groups to educate children
and parents on the steps necessary to ensure dental health.
Dental, physical and mental health make up the three
components of the League’s Healthy Child Initiative. The
work of the Children’s Dental Health and JLC Puppet
Committees demonstrates the League’s commitment to
providing appropriate dental health resources to children
throughout the greater-Charlotte community, providing
bright smiles and a few laughs.
This event was also made possible by the
generous support of Drake Precision Dental
Laboratory, Inc., Henry Schein, Inc., the
Charlotte Dental Society and the physicians
and staff at the dental offices where the
children received care. Donations from these
organizations covered 100 percent of the
supplies, equipment, staff expenses and
transportation costs for the event. As a
result of many people’s generosity and hard
work, 85 children had brighter, whiter and
most importantly, healthier smiles at the end
of the day. Given the resounding success of
this year’s Give Kids a Smile Day, the
Children’s Dental Health Committee is excited
to begin preparing for next year’s event,
which will take place Friday, Feb. 3, 2012.
The JLC Puppets Committee also made a
significant investment of their time and
resources to support the League’s commitment
to children’s dental health as part of
Ballet
Pointe
Lyrical
Jazz
Tap
Ages 2~Adult
Dancewear and Shoes
704-525-6555
Park Road Shopping Center/Back Court
photo by wanda june koch
www.jamimastersschoolofdance.com
Modern
Hip Hop
Musical Theatre
Tumble Tots
Pilates
16 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

Ready…
Set… Kids in
Junior League of Charlotte Inc.’s (JLC) sixth
The annual Kids in Motion is just around the corner,
and this year’s event promises to exceed all expectations.
Planned for Sunday, Apr. 10 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. at
Symphony Park behind SouthPark Mall, the event will be
filled with fabulous food, exciting entertainment and
amazing activities for children of all ages. Attendees will
have countless opportunities to explore, be entertained
and get involved.
This year’s theme vehicle is the tractor, so future farmers
will have numerous chances to check out this very cool
mode of transportation. There will be other vehicles to
explore including a fire truck, police cruiser and a smart
car. A climbing wall, bouncy house, a toddler zone for the
younger crowd, and delicious food await all attendees.
Dancers, cheerleaders and other entertainers will perform
on stage throughout the day, showcasing their many
talents. In addition, parents will be able to learn tips and
techniques to improve the physical, mental and dental
health of their families.
Sponsors for Kids in Motion 2011 include Lite 102.9, 96.1
The Beat, Coca-Cola, Carolinas HealthCare Foundation,
Farley Associates, Lance, Inc., Classic Graphics, YES!,
Turner Construction, Monkey Joe’s, Steve Moore
Chevrolet, Earth Fare, Lowe’s Home Improvement, Disney,
John Deere and Eastman Kodak. The event would not be
possible without their support.
Motion!
The Family’s Fun Zone BY ELIZABETH BOYD
opportunities include running one of the games, selling
tickets or drinks and much more. To learn more or sign up,
active members can contact the Kids in Motion Committee
at kidsinmotion@jlcharlotte.org.
Julie Jernigan, chair of the Kids in Motion Committee, is
already looking forward to a successful event. “I am
excited we have created an event for everyone,” Jernigan
says. “We plan to have food and activities for families and
adults. We want this to be an event that attracts not only
the whole League, but the community as well. We are
making significant outreaches to bring in attendees from
all parts of Charlotte and are excited to make this a ‘can't
miss’ event!"
Event tickets are available at www.jlcharlotte.org. Mark
your calendar for April 10.
There is something for every child
at Kids in Motion, including the
popular bounce house
PHOTO FROM THE CRIER ARCHIVES
League members also have a tremendous impact on the
event’s success. Active members can earn up to two
membership credits by volunteering their time. Volunteer
Walker Joyce makes his
climb up the rock wall.
PHOTO FROM THE CRIER ARCHIVES
Cedric Kenan is so excited to
sit on a police motorcycle.
PHOTO FROM THE CRIER ARCHIVES
William and Thomas take a break from the
fun on the front bumper of a fire truck.
PHOTO FROM THE CRIER ARCHIVES
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 17

Rosalie Fink, Elizabeth Kovacs, and
Amber Jenkins catch up at the
Davidson small group event.
PHOTO BY JAMIE DOEHNE
Welcome reception at the JLC Building
for AJLI President Delly Beekman.
PHOTO BY NICOLE VANDENBOSCH
Camryn Alexis, daughter of JLC
active Christine Sperow, catching
up on the Ronald McDonald
House right before the big opening!
PHOTO BY CHRISTINE NELSON SPEROW
Board of Directors
JLC volunteers, like active member Sara Jane Gibson, work one on one
with children in classes offered by Allegro Foundation, promoting
physical movement and cognitive learning in children with disabilities.
COURTESY OF ALLEGRO FOUNDATION
JLC’s North Dinner Club from left to right:
David and Courtney Gleason, Shannon
Vandiver, Anna Kirk (hostess), Larissa Ek,
Ginger and Brad Bowman.
PHOTO BY BLAIR HARRISON
The Crier Staff enjoy a holiday
party at Roosters.
PHOTO BY JAMIE DOEHNE

Communications Council members take
a break from managing Marketing/ PR,
The CRIER, Internal Communications,
Historian, Website and Photography
Committees to share best practices at a
council meeting at the JLC Building.
PHOTO BY KIM F. GRANT
If you have photos that you
would like to see in this space,
please e-mail them to jlcrier@yahoo.com.
Puppets at the launch for the Give
Kids A Smile Puppet Show.
PHOTO BY REBECCA NESBITT
Annie Williams, Community Impact Manager,
and Elizabeth Perry, JLC active, at the Give
Kids A Smile event.
PHOTO BY REBECCA NESBITT
Aynsley Bourne Spencer, Annie Williams and Shannon
Vandiver step out in style at the 25th Annual Midsouth
Emmys where In Our Words was nominated for an
Emmy in the Public Affairs category.
PHOTO BY AYNSLEY BOURNE SPENCER

Dealing with Infertility
BY ALYSON VAUGHAN
AND EVE SMITH
Many
women wish to
conceive but are
faced with the challenges of
infertility. Lisa Johnson, chair of
the Mental Health Awareness
Committee with the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC)
is one of those women. “Anyone who has ever gone
through infertility treatment would agree that the journey
can be very emotionally stressful and at times it can be a
lonely journey without the proper support,” says Johnson.
The Mental Health Awareness Committee offered support
to help JLC members with this journey by holding a
workshop, Overcoming and Coping with Infertility, on
January 19 in the JLC Building Community Room.
The workshop kicked off with three League members
sharing their journeys about overcoming infertility.
Although all three women told very different stories, they
described similar fears and emotions many women dealing
with infertility commonly experience. The women shared
tips they found helpful, such as including your partner as
much as possible in doctor visits, and recognizing that you
and your partner are still a family, even without children.
Infertility Specialist Dr. Nancy L. Teaff, MD and
Psychologist Dr. Eugenia L. Gullick, PhD of Reproductive
Endocrinology Associates of Charlotte (REACH) both
spoke at the workshop. Dr. Teaff discussed common
causes of infertility and outlined various treatment
options. Each woman’s situation is different and at times
it can feel like a trial and error process, but there are a
number of treatments available. Dr. Gullick addressed the
emotional effects of infertility. The stress of infertility is
unique, chronic, unpredictable and uncontrollable, and it
evolves over time depending on the length and challenges
of the treatment. Dr. Gullick recommended various ways
to cope with the stress and pointed out warning signs to
recognize if stress becomes overwhelming.
Both speakers discussed experiences women may have
when dealing with infertility in their 20s, 30s, and beyond.
There was also a discussion about the quandary many
women may be faced with today; choosing between a
baby and a career, and how a woman’s fertility can
impact that decision. Audience members asked questions,
shared their own experiences and provided additional
tips, including the practice of acupuncture and yoga
for fertility.
Those in attendance received information and assurance
that they were not alone in what can be a challenging
journey. This workshop was free to League members and
could be used toward membership credit.
20 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

JLC
Historians
Why History Matters
BY ALYSON VAUGHAN
For the past 85 years, the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc.
(JLC) has made an imprint across Charlotte and the
surrounding area: from the Berryhill House in the revitalized
Fourth Ward, to the Nature Museum, to the JLC
Family Resource Center at Levine Children’s Hospital.
Charlotte would not be what it is today without the hard
work and dedication of the JLC; however, the history
behind this journey is not well known.
In 2009, the JLC Board of Directors created the Historian
Committee, also known as the League Preservation
Committee. This small committee of five members
accepted the task of researching and documenting the
rich past of the League.
The first order of business was the creation of the 85th
anniversary video, shown at the General Membership
Meeting last September. The committee gathered a group
of sustainers, past presidents and local government
officials, including former Charlotte mayors Pat McCrory
and Richard Vinroot, for a day of interviews, capturing
stories, memories and reflections of the League. These
interviews show the impact the JLC has made on the
community from people who witnessed it.
The committee also helped support the JLC Building’s 50th
anniversary open house, which occurred on March 25, by
creating displays showcasing photographs and historical
information celebrating the League’s past.
Future plans for the Historian Committee include the
scrupulous task of archiving the League’s historical
documents through organization and safe storage, and
eventually creating a digital archive. Today old newspaper
clippings, scrapbooks, letters and photographs are locked
in a utility closet inside of the JLC Building. Physically
handling these items is challenging; old photographs can
become brittle and news prints can fade or deteriorate. If
these items are not properly preserved and safely stored,
the League will be at risk of losing an important link to its
past.
Understanding the past is an important link to the present,
and a lesson for the future. DeAnna Stephens, chair of the
Historian Committee, explained the risk of not preserving
history. “We won’t know the reasons behind what we’ve
done, which helped shape the present,” says Stephens.
Co-chair Caroline Rooks added, “Leadership needs to
understand our past so we can grow and continue to be
The Historian Committee
consists of Mary Brewer,
DeAnna Stephens, and
Caroline Rooks.
PHOTO BY DEANNA STEPHENS
diverse in our community.” For example, League
fundraisers over the past 85 years have ranged from
selling newspapers in Uptown Charlotte, to the festive
Follies shows, to the current Lights! Camera! Fashion! and
Kids in Motion events. The transformation from simple,
effective fundraising to events that involve collaboration
and coordination with groups outside of the League is an
important aspect of JLC history.
Stephens suggested ways in which sustainers can help the
Historian Committee. Any sustainer who feels she has an
interesting story about one of her past placements in the
League can contact the committee via phone, e-mail or the
mailbox in the JLC Building. This was how the committee
learned the JLC Building was a former Boy Scout lodge and
the story of how it was physically moved to its current
location on Maryland Avenue.
Author Robert Heinlein once said, “A generation which
ignores history has no past and no future.” This sentiment
can be applied to the JLC as well as individual families.
Stephens and Rooks share some tips for how you can
preserve your own family’s history.
Stephens recommends talking to older relatives. Ask them
questions about their past and you may be amazed at
what you will hear. Bring a video or voice recorder, take
notes and take pictures. These will become prized treasures
to share with future generations.
Rooks recommends keeping family heirlooms safe. Store
them properly in boxes safe from fire or floods. Take
advantage of online sources and scanners to create digital
archives. And stay organized to make it easier to locate old
items or add new items in the future.
The Historian Committee can be sure their efforts will be
appreciated by future League members and know that 85
years from now there will continue to be a compelling
story to tell.
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 21

KIPPCharlotte
The JLC’s Newest
Partnership BY ELIZABETH BOYD
KIPP Charlotte, part of the Knowledge is Power Program of
tuition-free, open enrollment middle schools across the
country, currently serves 365 Charlotte area students in
grades five through eight. The school’s website states,
“The mission of KIPP Charlotte is to prepare all of our
students to excel in the nation’s finest high schools and
colleges by cultivating the habits of mind, character skills
and knowledge necessary for their success. We provide an
education that will enable our students to lead full lives
and empower our graduates to be the future leaders of
Charlotte and agents of change in the world beyond.”
During the 2011-12 year, the Junior League of Charlotte,
Inc. (JLC) will have the opportunity to enable KIPP
Charlotte’s mission by working with seventh and eighth
grade girls in a leadership and development program.
KIPP Charlotte submitted a proposal for this placement
opportunity to the JLC in the fall of 2010. KIPP Charlotte’s
Director of Development Faith Triggs explained why the
school reached out to the League. “KIPP Charlotte
recognizes the tremendous difference that the Junior
League of Charlotte is making through its Healthy Child
Initiative, and both organizations have shared values in this
area. Further, League members have volunteered at KIPP
and demonstrated incredible talents that could make an
immediate impact on the self-esteem of our female
students if given the opportunity to be involved in
collaborative programming,” says Triggs.
The League’s Project Evaluation
Committee approved the placement,
which is a natural fit with Healthy
Child Initiative, the JLC’s current focus
on the physical, dental, and mental
health of Charlotte area children. The
League will allocate 10 active members
and $8,000 to the placement for the
2011-12 year. The money will fund
workshops for the students as well as
an experience at the U.S. National
Whitewater Center.
talents to help the KIPP Service Club run a recycling
program. Looking to become more involved with KIPP,
these women will collaborate with League volunteers to
develop workshops focused on topics such as wellness and
nutrition, grooming, financial planning, college prep skills,
and the appropriate use of social networking sites such as
Facebook and Twitter. A physical component of the
program is also under development and will kick off with
team building initiatives at the U.S. National Whitewater
Center in the fall of 2011.
The placement is tentatively planned as an evening and
weekend placement, but some daytime opportunities will
also be available. KIPP Charlotte is eager to begin this
program for its female students and hopes it will become a
model for other KIPP schools throughout the country.
Triggs indicated that KIPP Charlotte is most excited about
“being able to create a legacy of programming for KIPP’s
female students that will have long-term benefits for them
while providing a life-changing experience for Junior
League, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and KIPP Charlotte
volunteers.”
The JLC shares KIPP Charlotte’s excitement. Annie
Williams, Community Impact Manager, says, “The JLC is
thrilled to add KIPP Charlotte to our list of community
partners. This new placement is closely tied in with Healthy
Child Initiative and also aligns with our mission of
developing the potential of women.”
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While details of the JLC’s partnership
with KIPP Charlotte are still being
planned, much excitement surrounds
the new placement. League volunteers
will work with the Davidson College
chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority,
Inc. which already works with KIPP
Charlotte, volunteering time and
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22 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

Investing
in the JLC
The Annual Campaign and
JLC Legacy Foundation
BY ALYSON VAUGHAN
Annual Campaign
More than 2,000 active members,
provisionals and sustainers of the Junior League of
Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) invest their time and hard work each
year to promote the League’s mission. These women want
to see their investment be as successful as possible. Every
League member can contribute to the success of the
mission by participating in the inaugural Annual Campaign,
from now until April 30.
It was a bold decision by the Fund Development Council to
implement the Annual Campaign while the country is
experiencing tough economic times. Sheri Joseph, chair of
the Annual Campaign Committee explained, “The women
of the League are always looking for ways to be strategic.”
In a strained economy, the community becomes even more
reliant on the support and volunteer hours provided by the
JLC. In the past, the League has been dependent on
fundraisers like the JLC WearHouse for a large majority of
its funds. The Annual Campaign takes some of the strain
off of these other fundraisers with unrestricted funds that
can go directly toward supporting the League’s mission. In
addition, it puts the JLC in a position of strength when
soliciting corporate donations. A company can feel
confident donating to an organization whose members feel
strongly enough to invest money of their own.
The goal for this year’s Annual Campaign is to have 100
percent participation from all members. That can be a
donation of simply one dollar, or as much as a member is
willing to give. Every little bit makes a difference. For
example, a $10 donation allows JLC volunteers to create
heart pillows for Levine Cardiac Kids for
children undergoing heart surgery. A
donation of $100 can provide 100 mental
health awareness coloring books for
schools, doctors’ offices and hospitals.
Campaign.” From there, members can donate directly to
receive an instant tax receipt or download a form to fill out
and mail in a donation.
JLC Legacy Foundation
The JLC Legacy Foundation is another opportunity for
League members to honor the past and sustain the future.
Establishing a planned gift to the JLC Legacy Foundation
helps the foundation continue to nurture and support the
League’s mission and its volunteers, today and tomorrow.
“Women in all stages of life can participate in planned
giving with the JLC,” says Jennifer Harmeling, chair of the
newly-established Planned Giving Committee. Whether a
member is single, married, raising a family or planning for
retirement years, this is an opportunity to establish a legacy
for the community and future generations of women.
Supporting the JLC Legacy Foundation comes in many
forms. Gift options range from a cash donation to
including the foundation as a beneficiary in wills and
trusts. Members who include the JLC Legacy Foundation in
their estate plans will become members of the Legacy
Society. This generosity will be recognized annually in
League publications, and members will receive invitations
to the annual Legacy Society event.
To support the JLC Legacy Foundation, download the form
at www.jlcharlotte.org. Click on “Support Us”, then click
the JLC Legacy Foundation link on the left hand side.
Or, contact the JLC office at (704) 375-5993 and arrange
for a League representative to discuss the opportunities
and options.
As an added incentive, members who
donate at least $210 will receive a special
“210 Circle” car decal. Two hundred ten
represents the three combined milestone
anniversaries, occurring during the
inaugural Annual Campaign year: 85 years
serving the community + 75 years of the
JLC WearHouse + 50 years in the JLC
Building.
Donations for the Annual Campaign
will be accepted through April 30.
Members can make a contribution by
visiting www.jlcharlotte.org, clicking
“Support Us,” then clicking “Annual
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 23

A
HomeAway from
Home
The Ronald McDonald
House of Charlotte Prepares to Welcome Families BY ELIZABETH BOYD
The
Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte (RMH) will
soon open its doors to families of seriously ill
children seeking treatment in Charlotte. Situated on
Morehead Street, the House is convenient to both Levine
Children’s Hospital on the campus of Carolinas Medical
Center and Hemby Children’s Hospital on the main
campus of Presbyterian Hospital. With the House’s
opening, families with sick children who travel to Charlotte
for care at either of these children’s hospitals will have a
home away from home. They will come to Charlotte
without the worries of locating and paying for lodging
close to the hospital. They will be able to more fully focus
their attention on the needs of their seriously ill children.
Scheduled to open its doors to families in mid-April, the
House will consist of 28 bedroom suites, a community
kitchen, learning center, playground, great room and
sitting porch. Each family will have its own bedroom suite
and the other areas will be available for all guests to use.
A team of volunteer interior designers helped design the
suites and a volunteer building committee has kept
everything on track, working closely with the builder, J.F.
Schultze Construction.
The Charlotte community has
supported the Ronald McDonald
House of Charlotte since it was
just a vision. The RMH launched
an initial capital campaign with a
$9 million goal and, despite the
challenging economy, it is just
$500,000 away from that goal.
Fundraising efforts continue as
the House focuses on reaching its
goal and raising the $650,000
needed annually for operating
expenses. Families staying at the
Ronald McDonald House will be
asked to consider a donation of
$10-$20 per night to cover a
portion of the cost of their stay,
but no family will be turned away
for financial reasons. The majority
of the $85 per family per night
cost will be funded through
donations.
The Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte
puts the last touches on construction.
PHOTO BY TRICIA WILLIAMS
The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) began its support
of the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte with a
$10,000 donation to the capital campaign. The League
recognized the important work of the Ronald McDonald
House of Charlotte and its fit with Healthy Child Initiative,
the League’s current focus on the physical, mental, and
dental health of area children. The donation funded family
lockers in the pantry of the House, a place where families
will be able to safely store personal foods and/or
medicines. This area will be named for the Junior League
of Charlotte in appreciation of its commitment.
In addition to providing financial support, the JLC is also
excited to join more than 2,000 volunteers from across the
Charlotte area in supporting the daily operations of the
House. Ari Harris, Community Outreach Director for the
Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, calls the League
volunteers “an incredible source of volunteer power.” She
went on to say, “The RMH knows that members of the
Junior League already have a deeply rooted commitment to
helping others and helping the community, which makes
Junior League volunteers the ideal people to have working
in our House. We are excited to have such a large,
dedicated group of volunteers in place as we prepare to
open our doors!”
24 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

League members will serve as House Operations Volunteers
when the House opens. Members will be trained for three
different duties, including front desk/reception, guest
services, and housekeeping. Ten JLC volunteers have
already completed extensive training on the house
operations responsibilities. These volunteers are training
the 29 additional volunteers who
began the placement in January.
Ginger Seabrook, a current
member of the committee,
described the training that the
committee received. “Our
committee spent a lot of time
learning about the history of the
RMH, its mission, and operations
of other houses. Our committee
is even knowledgeable on the
planned day to day operations,
the role of other volunteer
groups and the floor plan of the
house. Pfeiffer University trained
us on families in crisis, Johnson
& Wales taught us how to
provide excellent guest service,
and Kindermourn educated us
about grief.”
With so much training under
their belts, committee members
eagerly await opening day. They look forward to putting
their knowledge into practice, and the future promises
more collaboration between the League and the RMH.
Through the project evaluation process, the JLC committed
50 volunteers and $1000 to the House for the 2011-12
year. The volunteers will continue the work started by
this year’s committee. Kara Culpepper, current chair of
the committee, commented, “The JLC is committed to
programs that support Healthy Child Initiative and the
Ronald McDonald House provides support to families
of critically ill children from all over the world. We are
proud to serve as Ronald McDonald House Operations
Volunteers, a role that allows us to serve as dutiful
ambassadors of the JLC in the Charlotte community.”
The opportunities for both the JLC and the Charlotte
community to serve the RMH in meaningful ways will
exist far into the future. The House will need financial
donations as well as donations of new toys and books
and other items from its wish list. Volunteers can help
plan special events, prepare meals, assist with cleaning
and special projects, and much more. In the words of
Harris, “If you want to be involved, there will be a way
to get you involved. All you have to do is call and let us
know how you’d like to help!”
While completion of the building is an important
milestone, the work of the Ronald McDonald House of
Charlotte and its volunteers is just beginning.
In Our Words
Nominated for an Emmy ® Award
Another big congratulations is in order for In Our
Words. The half-hour documentary, co-produced by the
Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) and WTVI, was
nominated for a Midsouth Regional Emmy® Award. In
Our Words was among four other nominees in the
Public Affairs category. The winner was announced at
the Emmy® Awards gala in Nashville, Tennessee on
January 29. Although it didn’t win, Community Child
Team Vice Chair Aynsley Bourne Spencer, who attended
the gala, says,“Our team was truly honored that the
film was nominated. The true winners are the amazing
kids who shared their wisdom in the film to help others
overcome adversity.”
In Our Words has quickly become a highly recognized
film garnering other awards, such as a 2010 Voice
Awards Honorable Mention and two Bronze Tellys
which were awarded last year.
In Our Words poignantly captures the emotions of five
local families dealing with issues such as youth loss,
grief, stress, distress, anxiety, abuse and neglect.
Through these heartfelt testimonials and commentary
from local health care providers, viewers are inspired to
feel more hopeful during times of adversity. One is sure
to walk away with life skills to live happily and healthily.
Beverly Penninger of Naka Productions Inc., the film's
award-winning producer, beautifully captures the hope,
courage and wisdom of the elementary, middle and
high school children who shared how they handled:
(1) the loss of a mother due to breast cancer; (2) the
loss of a friend in a bus accident; (3) military deployment
of a father; (4) the loss of all family income; and
(5) gross neglect and adoption.
Excellence in television is the minimum standard for an
Emmy® Award nomination. In Our Words delivers
brilliantly. Congratulations and job well done!
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 25

Historic
the mid 1800s, Fourth Ward was an affluent
In neighborhood and one of the four voting quadrants
in the city of Charlotte. The neighborhood underwent an
extended period of decline, then revitalization, and has
since emerged as one of the most desirable and unique
neighborhoods in the city. The Junior League of Charlotte,
Inc. (JLC) was instrumental in this renaissance with the
restoration of the Berryhill House.
The Berryhill House at 324 W. Ninth Street in Fourth Ward
was built in 1884 by manufacturing businessman John H.
Newcomb. The house became known as the Berryhill
House in 1898 when Newcomb’s daughter, Gussie, who
married Earnest Wiley Berryhill, moved into the house with
her family. In 1940, after Gussie suffered a stroke and
moved to a nursing home, the house was converted into a
four-unit apartment building by her son. It is possible that
this conversion is one of the reasons that the house
continues to stand today. Although even in this state, the
house realized the same decline that the rest of Fourth
Ward experienced during the mid-twentieth century.
With the introduction of the streetcar to Charlotte in the
early 1900s, many of the city’s affluent families moved to
the new suburban neighborhoods of Myers Park and
Dilworth. The public’s continued desire to
live in the suburbs further prompted the
exodus from Fourth Ward along with
other Center City neighborhoods.
By the 1970s Fourth Ward was all but
abandoned. The once stately Victorian
mansions were mostly burned or torn
down and left as vacant lots. The few
remaining homes were run down to the
point of near condemnation. City leaders,
historic preservation groups and people of
influence, the JLC included, recognized
that in order to become a truly great city,
revitalization would have to take place.
Catherine Browning, JLC president 1974-
75, spearheaded the project and set about
to raise funds for the restoration of the
Berryhill House. The JLC contributed its
own funds and acquired additional money
Community
Junior League of Charlotte’s Role in
the Revitalization of Uptown BY NICOLE HARGROVE VANDENBOSCH
Fourth Ward in the 1970s.
PHOTO FROM JLC ARCHIVES
Impact
from Knight Publishing and Ivey’s Department Store. The
League also contacted North Carolina National Bank (now
Bank of America) President Hugh McColl for his help.
“I remember two attractive young women came to see
me, Catherine Browning and Adelaide Davis,” says McColl.
“They came to me and asked for money, around $15,000
to $30,000 to help renovate the house.” McColl
continues, “It was the early 1970s, and we had just started
to get interested in Fourth Ward at the time. There weren’t
many homes there and the ones that were there were in
poor condition. Very few people were living in Fourth
Ward. The Salvation Army housing was there, but that was
about it. Most people used it to park cheaply, 25 cents a
day, and walk to the bank. We knew that if this town was
ever going to be anything, we would have to get people
living here again.”
Not every person in Charlotte shared McColl’s enthusiasm
for the project. “There was a lot of controversy in the
community about us buying this property because they
thought the League had no business getting into the real
estate business,” Browning recalls. “One business leader
even went as far to tell me that if we bought it, certain
local contributions to the JLC would be no more.”
26 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

Browning’s son, David Barnhardt remembers going
with his mom to help work on the Berryhill House. He
was 12 years old at the time. “I can’t believe my mom
used to drag me down there,” Barnhardt remembers.
“It was an old rundown, abandoned neighborhood with
vagrants everywhere.” McColl agrees, “It was a shellfire
zone. Terrible.”
Browning also concurs. “Fourth Ward was full of drug
addicts at the time. It was absolutely horrible, so we knew
we had our work cut out for us when going into the area.
You wouldn’t believe some of the things we saw in some
of the houses.”
working on the Berryhill
renovation led to
successful careers in real
estate for both Browning
and Barnhardt.
“I was shocked with
what a good job they
did on the Berryhill
House,” McColl says. “I
remember they painted
it pink and it stood out
so well.”
League members painted, swept
and cleaned in order to ready the
Berryhill House for sale.
PHOTO FROM THE JLC ARCHIVES
PHOTO FROM
THE JLC ARCHIVES
The JLC was instrumental in the entire revitalization of
Fourth Ward through its efforts with the Berryhill House.
“When the Junior League came to me, I had given it very
little thought,” McColl says. “They were really pioneers at
the time.”
Barnhardt agrees, “I think the Junior League jump started
everything that happened in Fourth Ward. It was a perfect
match that occurred in a given time. It was pretty incredible
what the ladies in the League did back then.”
“League members went into
the Berryhill House and
painted, swept and
cleaned,” says Browning.
“We did not do any of the
big construction, such as
plumbing or electrical work.
Being involved with Berryhill
and the preservation of
Fourth Ward has been one of
the most rewarding experiences
of my life,” remembers
Browning. The experience of
The positive influence of the Berryhill House renovation
began to spread though the neighborhood. “The day we
opened the Berryhill House, my brother and I sold Coca-
Colas on the corner where Alexander Michaels is,” says
Barnhardt. “It was boarded up with no paint and just an
old, yucky building.” Not too long after that, Alexander
Michael’s was opened as a neighborhood pub and
gathering spot. McColl remembers, “I had many a fun
night visiting those homes and the people who lived there.
We had a lot of good times at Alexander Michael’s.”
The success of the Berryhill House restoration led to the
League’s formation of the Berryhill Preservation. This was a
revolving fund used to buy other property with the hope of
preserving the neighborhood and the historic homes in it.
Since many of the houses were unsalvageable, the fund
helped to move historic homes from other parts of
Charlotte to Fourth Ward. This both ensured preservation
of the relocated homes and restored the historic vitality
that was once so familiar to the neighborhood. “We
moved a house onto Pine Street one time,” recalls
Barnhardt. “It was the late 1970s or early 1980s. The
contractor had me filling up buckets of concrete, crawling
under the house and pouring the footings for this house.
That contractor is now my stepdad. He married my mother
25 years ago.” Barnhardt was later reunited with the Pine
Street property as a real estate agent. “I was putting the
house on the market, and I realized I had been in this
house pouring the footings when I was a kid.”
Today Fourth Ward is a unique and wonderful community.
“It’s an integrated neighborhood where everyone who
lives here wants to be here,” McColl says. When asked
what his favorite characteristic of the neighborhood is, he
replies, “You have people of all different income levels
living right next to each other.”
“The people who’ve come to Charlotte the past five, 10
or even 15 years can’t imagine how it was. Now it’s very
desirable,” Barnhardt says. “It’s probably one of the safer
neighborhoods in town. I think it’s incredible. It’s more
(Photos to left) As the project’s influence spread, this “old yucky
building” became a neighborhood gathering place, Alexander
Michael’s, still enjoyed by many Charlotteans today. PHOTO BY KIM F. GRANT
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 27

than likely somewhere I will someday live.” His mother
agrees. “I drive through Fourth Ward now with great
pride,” says Browning. “What a beautiful place!”
The House at 324 W. Ninth Street
became known as the Berryhill House.
PHOTO FROM THE JLC ARCHIVES
The Berryhill House still stands in elegant grandeur on its
sprawling lot in the center of Historic Fourth Ward. The
current owners, Susan and Loy McKeithen bought the
home from the family who originally purchased it from the
League. “The McKeithens have done a great job with the
place. It’s absolutely beautiful,” says Browning.
Full of charm and homes that display a sort of architectural
history of the United States, Fourth Ward is a gem of an
example of how to meld design from different decades;
everything from ornate Victorian Queen Anne, Italianate
and Spanish Colonial Revival, to classic Craftsman from the
1800s through the early 1900s. Buildings from the 1970s
and 1980s encompass the contemporary design ideals of
the day.
The newest additions to Fourth Ward include modern,
transitional, contemporary and traditional construction
single-family homes and townhomes, as well as state of
the art high-rise condos. The ever changing face of Fourth
Ward is part of the vibrant energy that has returned to
Uptown Charlotte. Today there is a renewed interest in
Center City living. Short commutes, walkability and urban
renewal are all things that are important to many people
who live in Charlotte and other U.S. cities. It makes one
wonder if the people involved in the Fourth Ward revitalization
knew this was the trend that was developing, or if
they were the catalyst for change that started it all.
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28 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

The
Dream Team
Meet the New JLC Leaders
BY NATASHA WITHERSPOON
The flowers are blooming, our clocks are springing
forward, we’re exchanging winter clothes for the hottest
spring fashions, and it also is time for the changing of the
guard in the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC).
The nomination process began last October with the
Straw Ballot in which JLC members can self-nominate or
nominate other members for vacant positions on the Board
of Directors, Management Team and Nominating
Committee. The Straw Ballot includes questions specific to
the vacant positions.
The Nominating Committee then began the huge task of
determining the best fit for candidates with the open
offices. Stephanie Simon, vice chair of the Nominating
Committee, says the effort is made to place most
candidates in a role. Professional skills, League placement
and even transfer members’ leadership experience are all
factors in making decisions for a slate of officers.
At the March General Membership Meeting, the League’s
slate of leaders for President-Elect, Board of Directors,
Management Team and Nominating Committee was
approved. The newly approved leaders are a diverse team
of women coming into office with different committee
experiences, varied lengths of service in the JLC and from
many professions. The one similarity is all of the women
have an unwavering commitment to serving the Charlotte
community and an understanding of the dedication
required of a JLC leader.
Meet the new leaders for the 2011-12 League year:
JLC PRESIDENT
Katie Zeok
JLC PRESIDENT-ELECT
Whitni Wilson-Wertz
MANAGEMENT TEAM
Community Impact Manager
Shannon Vandiver
Risk Manager
Helen Stockstill
Human Resources Manager
Erin Wilk
Communications Manager
Erin Maddrey
Education & Training Manager
Christina Thigpen
Fund Development Manager
Michlene Daoud Healy
Finance Manager
Molly Bollier
Management Team Secretary
Marsha Thrasher
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chief Financial Officer
Mary Katherine Bridgers
Vice President of Finance
Martine Bryant
Board of Directors Secretary
Aynsley Bourne Spencer
Board of Directors Sustaining Advisor
Margueritte Andresen
Members-at-Large (year 1)
Dawn Doub, TaLeayah Johnson,
Amanda Loftus, Melanie Pullins,
Annie Williams
Members-at-Large (year 2)
Katie Cox, Dee Flesch, Jan Higley,
Mary Weeks Fountain (sustainer)
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Nominating Chair
Stephanie Simon
Nominating Vice Chair
Lisa Johnson
Nominating Members
Shannon Bailes, Whitney Bouknight,
Rosalie Fink, Erin Kearns, Catherine
Ruth Kelly, Caroline Rooks, Ellen
Smith
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 29

for
TimelessTrends Spring
BY RASHANNA M. HENDERSON
Ah,
spring! What a wonderful time for all things
bright and blooming. Traditions are beautiful
threads that weave our life experiences together. Spring
traditions are special because the winter blues have been
lifted and more hours of sunlight arrive to awaken the
senses. Heavy overcoats can now be put away and the
entire family is ready for adventures in the great outdoors.
Try these fun activities to get everyone energized again:
Plant a spring garden.
Get those garden gloves
and tools out! This is an
activity for the entire
family. Seeds and baby
plants are relatively
inexpensive and the
maintenance of the
garden can be shared by
the entire family. Little
ones will delight to see
a seedling grow as they water it with their colorful water
pails. When you bite into the first crisp cucumber and
smell the fragrant scent of all the fresh herbs, you will
know you are doing something healthy for your family.
Cultivated a harvest big enough to share? Donate any
surplus crops to your local food bank and help those
less fortunate in your community. One
tip: Be watchful of the last frost and
cover your plants.
been used in over a year, let them go! Kids will enjoy
having a garage sale and making some extra money. You
can also donate all of your unwanted items to the JLC
WearHouse. This is a gift that keeps on giving. Not only is
this a charitable contribution that is tax-deductible but
now you have an excuse to fill the empty areas of your
closet with fabulous drastically marked-down fall and
winter fashions. And your donated items will become
someone else’s great new find!
Love the great outdoors? Plan a spring picnic or
coordinate the first weekend beach trip of the year.
Seasonably good weather will provide the perfect
background for either. And of course if you have little
ones, the annual Kids in Motion event on Sunday,
Apr. 10 is a perfect day for an afternoon picnic at the
park. Make this spring one to remember for everyone
with family-friendly fun in the sun.
“
Service is the rent we pay to be
living. It is the very purpose of
life and not something you do in
your spare time.”
–Marian Wright Edelman
Indulge yourself in a personal
grooming ritual. Ladies, hopefully you
are sticking to your New Year’s resolutions
of healthy living. The sun is out
and you have earned yourself a spring
facial, manicure, pedicure or massage.
Feeling a little daring? A new hair
color treatment can certainly add
some additional zing to your life. No
matter what grooming activities you
decide, enjoy it because you deserve
it. And for the family, take everyone
to the salon for cool spring cuts!
Spring clean. That’s right; schedule a
“clean out those closets” and “clean
the entire house” day for the entire
family. If you have items that have not
30 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

Charlotte
1960: A Time of Change and Growth
BY ALYSON VAUGHAN
by the
Numbers
The year 1960 was a landmark time for
the civil rights movement in the southeast.
On February 1, in Greensboro, 85 miles
from Charlotte, four black men from North
Carolina A&T College sat down at a
“whites only” lunch counter at
Woolworth’s. Ezell Blair, Jr., Franklin
McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David
Richmond were refused service. They
remained at the counter until the store
closed and returned the next day joined by
additional students.
News spread of the “sit-in,” and black
campuses all over the south joined in to
defy years of segregation. In Charlotte,
200 students from Johnson C. Smith
University occupied “whites only” lunch
counters throughout the downtown area. By July of 1960,
most lunch counters in Charlotte had taken a first step
toward integration by agreeing to serve black customers.
Other cities were following suit. Five years later, the United
States Congress passed a monumental piece of legislation:
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed major forms of
discrimination against blacks and women. Racial segregation
was now illegal.
This was just the first step in a long journey of change. Far
more diversity and equality can be seen in Charlotte in the
year 2011. Mayor Anthony Foxx was elected in November
View of Charlotte in the 1960s, Tryon looking South.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROBINSON-SPANGLER CAROLINA ROOM,
CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG LIBRARY
President John F. Kennedy visits
Charlotte in the early 1960s.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ROBINSON-SPANGLER CAROLINA
ROOM, CHARLOTTE-MECKLENBURG LIBRARY
2009 as the second African-American mayor of Charlotte.
Harvey Gantt was first, serving as mayor from 1983 to
1987. Gantt became the namesake of the Harvey B. Gantt
Center for African-American Arts + Culture, unveiled in the
heart of Uptown Charlotte in October 2009.
The year 1960 also marked a historic moment in Charlotte
sports history. The Charlotte Motor Speedway opened on
June 19 with the running of the World 600 NASCAR race.
Though 1961 was a troublesome year for the racetrack as
it fell into Chapter 11 status, it recovered quickly. Since
then, this world-class facility has brought thousands of
fans to the city every year, making Charlotte a focal point
in the racing community.
In 2006, Charlotte was chosen as the location for the
NASCAR Hall of Fame, which opened its doors in Uptown
last May. Like its speedway predecessor 50 years before,
the Hall of Fame is experiencing financial hardships with
lower than expected attendance during the current
economic climate. Time will tell how it will fare in the years
ahead.
The headquarters for the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc.
(JLC) opened on Maryland Avenue in 1960. The JLC
Building has remained, for the past 50 years, a consistent
force improving lives in the Charlotte community during an
exciting time of great change.
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 31

Simple
Spring Snacks!
Kid-Friendly
Recipes from Kids in the Kitchen
BY NATASHA WITHERSPOON
Spring
is in the air and you have
probably noticed the Queen City
is abuzz with Little League games, joggers along
tree-lined streets and the sound of tennis racquets
on the courts of Freedom Park. With all of the
increased activity, you need quick go-to snacks
that hit the spot!
Kids in the Kitchen, an Association of Junior
Leagues International and Junior League of
Charlotte initiative, provided these tasty snack
recipes to satisfy kids of all ages. For more healthy
eating tips and recipes make sure to visit the Kids
in the Kitchen cooking demonstration at Kids in
Motion on Saturday, Apr. 10 in Symphony Park
near SouthPark Mall.
Mighty Munchies
Prep time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Makes: 1 Cup
Ingredients:
■ 1/4 cup dry cereal
(like Cheerios or Chex)
■ 1/4 cup craisins
■ 1/4 cup chocolate candies
■ 1/4 cup pretzel sticks
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a
bowl and stir to mix. Store in
an airtight container. Enjoy!
Fire Ants and
Grass Clippings
Prep time: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Makes: 4 servings
Ingredients:
■ 12 oz. broccoli slaw
■ 1/2 cup Asian ginger
low-fat dressing
■ 1/4 cup craisins
■ 1/4 cup green
pumpkin seeds
■ 1/4 cup bacon crumbles
Directions:
Open bag of broccoli slaw. Dump
slaw, craisins, bacon and
pumpkin seeds in bowl. Pour
dressing over slaw. Toss well.
Note:
This recipe is best if it sits in the
fridge for a couple of hours and
is tossed again before serving.
Kids in the Kitchen supports developing healthy eating habits by making good, fresh food choices. Fresh food can be
exciting and fun! For more information visit www.kidsinthekitchen.org.
32 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

Spring Forward and Serve BY NATASHA WITHERSPOON
What better time to get out and support the Charlotte community as we shed winter coats and
boots for lighter clothing and more daytime hours to serve!
LOSE THE TRAINING WHEELS BICYCLE CAMP
June 20-24
Help children with special needs learn to ride a conventional bike without
training wheels. This program changes the lives of children by teaching them
a skill that builds self-confidence, provides inclusion with their peers and gives
them a lifetime of fun and exercise. 80 percent of campers learn to ride a bike in just five
days of the camp, which features specialized equipment and a team of trainers. Sponsored by
the Autism Foundation of Carolinas and held at the Metrolina Tradeshow Expo. Volunteer as
little as an hour or as much time as you have. To learn more or register to volunteer, visit
www.LTTWCharlotte.org.
BABY BUNDLES
Year-round volunteer opportunity!
Baby Bundles is a new non profit organization dedicated to
providing new and gently used clothing and other baby essentials to underprivileged
newborns in the Charlotte area. Baby Bundles partners with community agencies and local
hospitals to identify mothers in financial need who receive a bundle of newborn clothing, a
book and a toy. You can help by donating money or needed items, organizing a clothing
drive or making deliveries to families in need. Visit www.babybundlesnc.org to get involved.
THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Beginning in April
Charlotte is welcoming a brand new Ronald McDonald House in April.
Individual volunteering opportunities:
House operations volunteers, cookie crew, planning committees for special
events, and day of event helpers. High school juniors and seniors are
eligible to serve as ambassadors for the Ronald McDonald House by
participating on the Teen Volunteer Board.
Group volunteering opportunities:
Meal preparation teams, activity partners, cleaning crews, and day of event help.
To learn more, visit www.rmhofcharlotte.org.
THE CHARLOTTE URBAN LEAGUE
Year-round volunteer opportunity!
The Urban League of Central Carolinas is a multi-service,
non profit agency, organized in 1978. Its mission is to empower
the community by providing education to enhance financial
stability and social justice that enables families to successfully
compete in a global economy.
Individual volunteering opportunities:
Math tutors (Grade levels 8-12)
Science tutors (Grade levels 8-12)
Microsoft Office tutors (Adult students, ages 18 and up)
Administrative assistant (Total 5 hours)
Group volunteering opportunities:
Outdoor beautification (planting flowers/landscaping/painting)
Indoor beatification (painting)
For more information visit www.urbanleaguecc.org.
GET OUT VOLUNTEER
&
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 33

From
The CRIER Archives
JLC Building Wish List
BY KIM F. GRANT
Digging
through old editions of
The CRIER has been an
informative and entertaining task. Editions
published during the time that the Junior
League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) established the
JLC Building are particularly interesting as they
include floorplans, building rules and even
“wish lists” of items desired for the building.
On one such list, a particular item reappears
as needed in various rooms of the building:
ashtrays - specified in sizes large and extra
large. Well, JLC women are known to be on
the leading edge of trends; smoking was very
popular and stylish in the 1950s and 1960s. It
was not until the mid 1960s that the Surgeon
General publicly came out with a statement
linking smoking to cancer. Wonder what
became of all those ashtrays…
Illustration and original JLC Building floor plan from The CRIER, 1960 titled “It’s Up to You”.
34 The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926

Index To Advertisers
To advertise in The Crier, please call (704) 375-5993 or e-mail jlcrier@yahoo.com.
Carolinas Medical Center . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Gorgeous Glo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Charlotte Latin School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Pinehurst Resort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Inspired Photography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Jami Masters School of Dance . . . . . . . .16
Leon Loard Portraits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Owl’s Eye Vineyard & Winery . . . . . . . . .22
Portraits, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Providence Day School . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Wrightsville Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
JLC Wearhouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Wilmington . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
The Junior League of Charlotte - Making a Difference Since 1926 35

Prsrt Std
U.S. Postage
PAID
Charlotte, NC
PERMIT NO. #777
1332 Maryland Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28209
(704) 375-5993
From horse-drawn carriage rides around historic downtown to Pleasure Island’s Chowder Cook-off, from
catching a wave to hearing jazz at Airlie Gardens, Wilmington and our beach towns bring the whole family
a spring break of tastes, sights and sounds. Find special offers at NC’s most accessible coastal destination.
877-945-6386