After 75 years of service, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) celebrates “the strength of women and the power of community.” Since its inception in 1934, the JLA has been committed to making a direct impact in Austin by promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
 

Through the combined efforts and generous support of the volunteers, partner agencies and donors the JLA is able to strengthen the Austin community. On an annual basis, the League contributes more than $1 million to the Austin community, and its members volunteer more than 100,000 hours to support 24 local nonprofit agencies and eight League programs. In addition to these incredible annual contributions, in 2005 the organization pledged gifts to be paid out over a five year period to two significant community endeavors: the Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas and the Long Center for the Performing Arts. Beyond the donation of money and time, the JLA takes measures to perpetuate the positive impact of service, placing focus and energy in preparing its members for serving the community outside the League. The training members receive through their volunteer service with the League enables them to become positive agents of change in the community, serving as board and committee members in their businesses, schools and other nonprofit work. “As we take a look at everything The Junior League of Austin has done for the community over the last 75 years, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride,” said JLA President, Melissa Greenwood Morrow. “Taking time to appreciate the tremendous progress we’ve made since our beginning and the countless people and organizations we’ve impacted is profoundly inspiring. I can’t wait to see how this inspiration drives the League for the next 75 years.”

1930’s

February 9, 1934 – The Junior League of Austin was admitted to the Association of the Junior Leagues of America. Under the leadership of the first president, Gladys Greenlee Bowman, 50 members worked to form volunteer bureaus to recruit, train and place much-needed volunteers in the community. 1934 – The JLA selected its first undertaking, the Settlement Home, a facility that housed underprivileged children. Volunteers’ duties ranged from daily errands, to assisting in the clinic, and even serving as Board members. September 6, 1934 – The JLA opened the Thrift Shop, a venture designed to raise funds that supported other projects in the community. Just like today, members donated merchandise and volunteer hours each year.

1940’s:

1941-1945 – Like the rest of the nation, the JLA saw tremendous change when the U.S. entered WWII. War efforts consumed everyone’s volunteer time, but The Junior League of Austin continued to serve 12 civic agencies. 1945 – The successful radio program and award-winning JLA project, “Leather Breeches,” began as a Saturday morning series called “Books of Adventure” and evolved into a listening aid for public school teachers. The program won a National Radio Institute Award.

1950’s

1950-1954 – The fifties saw an increase in arts sponsorship by the JLA, including the Children’s Symphony Concerts, the Austin Symphony Orchestra and UT’s Fine Arts Department. 1954 – The first Charity Ball touted Johnny Long and his orchestra fresh from Meadowbrook, New Jersey, one of the nations top dance spots. Fundraising efforts associated with the ball nurtured local talent and even a future Broadway star: a tall, talented Texas by the name of Tommy Tune.

1960’s

1960 – With a growing membership, the JLA needed a home of its own to hold meetings and conduct business. The Texas Fine Arts Association offered The Gatehouse at Laguna Gloria Art Museum in west Austin. After an extensive renovation the Gatehouse became the JLA’s first headquarters. In the early 60’s the JLA’ s fundraisers netted record dollars. With an excess of funds in its coffers, the JLA created the “Project Funding Committee,” the precursor to today’s Researchers Committee, to look into local agencies and programs that would benefit from additional funding.

1970’s

The 1970’s marked the creation of the Grants Committee, a group of members that hosted training seminars in grant writing for nonprofit agencies – yet one more way to strengthen the community. 1976 – The JLA’s first cookbook, The Collection, was introduced to the public. November 1976 – “A Christmas Affair,” the JLA’s largest annual fundraiser, was first held at the Driskill Hotel. It has become the largest holiday marketplace of its kind in the country.

1980’s

May 16, 1983 – The JLA purchased the Square at Parkcrest as its permanent headquarters. Plans for renovations, leasing and fundraisers immediately ensued. 1984 – For its 50th Anniversary project, the JLA assisted in establishing Austin’s Ronald McDonald House.

1990’s

1991 – Alarmed at the high percentage of Hispanic girls who dropped out of high school, the JLA created the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program to educate and empower Hispanic girls to complete education and continue on to college. The college preparatory program serves girls in 6th through 12th grades. ***In 2007, the JLA officially launched the Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program and successfully established Con Mi MADRE... Mothers and Daughters Raising Expectations - as an independent nonprofit in order to ensure additional growth to meet the growing needs of our local Hispanic community. 1994 – To commemorate its 60th Anniversary, the JLA committed to support the People’s Clinic, a nonprofit primary heath-care facility that serves low-income families. The JLA provided $250,000 over a three-year period that helped fund the construction of a new building and improved services. 1997 – Coats for Kids was adopted by the JLA when its original sponsoring agency could no longer commit the resources to continue this valuable service. From its inception, Coats for Kids has been an extremely touching and rewarding project for both volunteers and recipients.

The New Millennium

2001 – The JLA sponsored its first “Girl Fest,” an event that allowed girls of all ages to learn about programs throughout the community. The half-day event culminated with Space Shuttle astronaut, Mae Jemison, giving an inspirational talk on the infinite opportunities for women today. 2005 – The JLA pledged community gifts over a five year period to two important organizations in Austin: The Dell Children’s Medical Center of Austin and The Long Center for the Performing Arts.