Junior League

Eclipse · #1 05-17-2002, 01:23 PM

Did you know...

That the current international president of the Junior League is a black woman? I just saw her publicizing their new cookbook on Home Matters (yes, I'm still celebrating my birthday!) so I went to their website www.ajli.org and saw the following article. She is also a member of the Links and AKA.

Is anyone here a member of the Junior League or have considered becoming a member? Evidently they have had a campaign for increasing diversity.

I forget the article link...here it is:
http://www.ajli.org/deborah_aaa.html

Honeykiss1974 · #2 05-17-2002, 01:52 PM

I will become a member of Junior League next spring. I live in a predomintealy white state and there are a few black women involved (all of which are AKA's) and a sprinkle of Latina women. I do believe that thay are now doing a big push for young women of color. They have a lot of programs here that serve a diverse group of people which is why I felt honored when I recommended to join.

My first exposure to JL was through another community service project that I am a member of(I am the only african american or minority). Unbeknownst to me the majority of volunteers in this service project were members and they were the ones that first talked to me about it. Later on, I had a conversation with a memberfriend who was also involved in JL too. She told me, in so many words, that they were looking for young minority women with a desire to serve our community.

For new members, you are required to do A LOT so be prepared to select a committe and GET TO WORK!!!

Jody · #3 05-18-2002, 10:18 AM

I was a member of the Junior League of Birmingham when I lived in Michigan. A soror was president at the time (the first black and the first president that had a full time job) She used to joke with me that she didn't think they knew she was black when she became president, most ladies were more interested that she was the first president with a full time job. When I was involved, the chapter had about 400 ladies and maybe 7 were black. For those not familiar with Michigan, Birmingham is a suburb of Detroit. I have nothing but good things to say about the organization and was honored to have been considered. (When I was active, someone had to invite you). However, unlike AKA where you are a soror forever, the Junior League will KICK YOU OUT if you don't fulfill your volunteer requirements. And if things haven't changed, they whiteball (using the term blackball seems a little, well....you get my drift) meaning once kicked out, you can't get back in, anywhere in the country.

AKA2D '91 · #4 05-22-2002, 10:12 PM

Dayummmmmmmmm.

I wonder how many "lawsuits" this organization has had to deal with.

FeeFee · #5 05-23-2002, 01:15 PM

I live in Brooklyn and as of this month, became a full fledged member of the Junior League of Brooklyn. I found out about the organization by two friends of mine (one who is an AKA and a member of JLB). I must say that there seems to have been a big push on their behalf to find women of color to join (which should not be that hard to do in Brooklyn!!!). I know that rules are different within the various Leagues when it comes to how they get their volunteers. For my provisional class (2001-2002) we were required to attend six training sessions where we learned things as JLB history, advocacy, budgeting (sp?), placements that we can volunteer in, etc. We were also required to do a class project (which we are in the final stages of completing

) and pay our dues - $. Our placement fair will be held in June and we have to pick which placement(s) we want to volunteer in. I plan to volunteer in JLB's mentoring placement

kitten03 · #6 05-24-2002, 09:21 AM

I'm a little curious as to how to get involved if you dont know a person who is a member already? I guess the natural answer would be to look for them but I wonder how this organization receives women they aren't familiar with. (Not that I think they'd be mean to them

)

toocute · #7 02-21-2003, 04:19 PM

*bump*

I'm in the beginning stages of becoming a member of Jr Leauge of Bergen County (NJ). The interest meeting is in April. Anyone out there a member in NJ or NY?

(Besides FeeFee

)

FeeFee · #8 02-21-2003, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by toocute
*bump*

I'm in the beginning stages of becoming a member of Jr Leauge of Bergen County (NJ). The interest meeting is in April. Anyone out there a member in NJ or NY?

(Besides FeeFee )

Yeah Toocute!!!!

Glad to see fellow GCers involved in community work. I hope your experience will be as enjoyable as mine is. Perhaps we can swap stories/ideas, etc.

I actually managed to recruit a friend of mine into the League this past Fall. Go me, go me!!! LOL
Trust me, you will gain a wealth of knowledge by joining. You will definitely find out what it's like to be part of a large organization (there are 296 Leagues with about 193,000 members).
If the JL of Bergen County is good, they will see to it that you remain a busy bee.

toocute · #9 02-24-2003, 03:20 PM

I'll keep you posted FeeFee. We'll talk after the interest meeting. Since I've moved to NJ and had the baby I've been slacking in the community service dept.

I hope this works out.

Honeykiss1974 · #10 02-24-2003, 03:34 PM

I have my first meeting this Thursday, which markes the start of my provisional year.

To the sisterfriend interested in finding out more, I would suggest doing a search on the web for your local chapter. I don't know what the requirements are for every chapter (my local chapter is by invitation only) so hopefully the web-search will guide you to the appropriate person(s).

darling1 · #11 02-23-2006, 10:16 AM

if there is anyone looking to consider a viable organization after undergrad, i think the junior league is one to consider. although it has not been traditionally an african american organization, there are women of color--african american, asian, latina etc who hold membership; this does include me. i know at least in brooklyn, the majority of members are women of color and with my chapter, we do serve 'our' community.

living in the dc area i have been extremely disappointed with the organizations here that profess to be of service. (i am not including bglo's as i am not a member, so i cant speak on what i dont know

). i was a member of NCBW in my area and to put it midly, i was NOT happy with the manner in which the organization was conducting business. it was a shame but a learning lesson nonetheless. the junior league for me as been a great way for me to learn how to effectively serve and develop key skills that can be used in any organization.

so, i say all of that to say that all organizations should be considered if you are looking for one that will give you what you are looking for. to not consider an org. just because 'we' dont have a long standing history of membership may be a bit shortsighted. sometimes we need to step outside of our boxes in order to find a group that will be a fulfilling and hopefully long-term experience.

kitten03 · #12 02-23-2006, 11:31 AM

Honeykiss, thanks for the advice.

Since my last post 3 years ago, I've been a member of the Junior League in my city for 3 years. It's really been great. I have to agree with darling1's post b/c the Junior League does train you as a volunteer. A good web resource is www.ajli.org. Actually my league is beginning recruitment for next year. Our events have been posted on the ajli website as well.

gamma_girl52 · #13 02-23-2006, 01:04 PM

I found a thread about the JL in Chit Chat, but I'm applying with the JL of Atlanta in April or May. I'm really excited about possibly joining another group dedicated to service other than Gamma Sig.

For the League here, you have to have a sponsor. If you don't personally know someone, they assign one to you.

SKEEphistAKAte · #14 02-23-2006, 01:37 PM

I became a member of the Junior League of Tampa (JLT) in 2003. I love the League. It is a lot of WORK, JLT will work you to death, but it is fun. There aren't a lot of black women in JLT, but there are a few. Honestly, JLT is comprised of mostly rich, white women- either attorneys or wives of CEO's/attorneys. It is one of the more prestigious...elite even, civic organizations to join. But I love the work that we do in the community.

I was impressed with the League becaue we don't just go to Ronald McDonald and clean up, or to to Habitat for Humanity and build houses. League community service is on a larger scale. Instead of volunteering for non-profit orgs, Junior League ESTABLISHES those orgs. With JLT we non-profit projects that we establish and carry (financially and otherwise) for 2-3 years, after that they run themselves. That really impressed me and I feel honored to be apart of community service on such a grand scale.
Getting in the League is kind of difficult. For the most part you have to know somebody. If you don't some chapters will pair you with a sponsor. The process to become a member lasts a year. I've spoken about this before in a thread (I think) on how I would change AKA's membership process. But in short, you are a provisional member for a year and you have lots of community service projects to do, lots of mandatory meetings to attend and you are split into groups to do your own large scale community service project. Also, if there is ever a year when you are inactive (don't pay your dues, etc you are permanently inactive. So retention of members is not a problem with the league...people just do not allow themselves to become inactive.
But anyhow, if anyone has questions about the League feel free to pm me. See also www.jltampa.org.

aopirose · #15 02-23-2006, 01:56 PM

Congrats to the Junior Leaguers both old and new! I am not a member but I do try to support my nearby leagues. My friends and I love shopping at the holiday market. The other league hosts a polo tournament. Boy is THAT fun!

slight hijack - Is anyone involved with the National Charity League? http://www.nationalcharityleague.com/ This seems like a good organization too. I like that the programming focuses on moms and daughters working together.