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Celebrating a Century of the Junior League of Columbus
BY NICOLE BERGMAN
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The Junior League of Columbus is a women’s empowerment organization with deep roots in Central Ohio. The organization’s mission over the past 100 years has been to promote volunteerism, develop the potential of members for voluntary participation in community affairs, and demonstrate the effectiveness of those trained volunteers. For decades, members have leveraged monetary contributions and volunteer hours to effect lasting change across the Columbus community.
The Junior League began in 1901 in New York City, when two women named Mary Harriman and Nathelie Henderson recruited 80 debutantes to volunteer at settlement houses.
CHARITY MILESTONE: Junior League of Columbus
houses. As these women served the community with their time, knowledge, and skills, they were also learning about the diverse city and the needs of its residents– especially recent immigrants who were facing poverty, disease, and unsafe housing. By 1921, women had organized similar Leagues in 30 cities across the United States, and they came together to found the Association of the Junior Leagues of America, Inc.
The following year, 11 women gathered to discuss the formation of a Junior League in Columbus. In 1923, the Junior League of Columbus, composed of 100 women, officially joined the Association of Junior Leagues of America. Each member was expected to work two hours each week in one of nine existing social services agencies, while also contributing to fundraising activities. Interestingly, one of these founding members was Dorothy Walker Bush, the mother of former President George W. Bush.
Junior League of Columbus through the years
1920s
In the early years of the League, members focused on occupational therapy and soon also became involved in the production of children’s plays. The purpose of the plays was to raise money for the occupational therapy project while providing wholesome entertainment for children. The League’s first fundraiser was called “Flapperella. ” Interestingly, Columbus-based cartoonist and writer James Thurber was a composer for the plays. The League soon leased clubrooms to be used as meeting places for its growing membership and raised $10,000 (more than $170,000 in today ’s dollars) with the publication of “Soundings, ” a record of Columbus society both past and present.
1930s
During this tumultuous decade, the League responded to pressing needs across Central Ohio. Amid the Great Depression, members helped the State
Unemployment Bureau identify jobs by going door-to-door soliciting work for the unemployed. Members took on these projects while continuing to produce three children's plays per year as part of the Children’s Theater Movement. Capitalizing on the popularity of the plays, the League began “trooping” (touring) productions to schools across Columbus. Members were also active in organizing Philharmonic Concerts, developing the Columbus children.
The largest accomplishment in the 1930’s was the formation of the Central Volunteer Service Bureau. The League gave over $4,000 to form an organization that would train, place, and supervise anyone in Central Ohio who wanted to volunteer. This organization became the basis for FIRSTLINK, which remains active today.
1940s
Support for the war effort continued into this decade. In 1942, the League launched
the Columbus Victory Corner, a committee that sold War Savings Stamps and Bonds. The following year, members donated $2,350 ($40,231 in today's dollars) to the American Red Cross to purchase a Mobile Blood Donor Unit, and also established a War Emergency Committee to coordinate blood drives, rationing promotions, clothing drives, and a victory parade.
In the latter half of the decade, the League turned its focus to children’s issues. Building on earlier work, members started the Community Junior Theater, sponsored the children’s series “Books Bring Adventure” on WOSU radio, and supported the Ohio State University Gifted Child Center. The League also raised substantial funds for the Children’s Mental Health Center, founded in 1950. This center is known today as Nationwide Children's Hospital. The fundraiser for this effort, known as Bargain Box, aimed to provide inexpensive clothing and other goods to Columbus citizens and remained an important annual fundraiser for the League for 70 years.
1950s
The Junior League of Columbus kicked off the new decade with major support for the founding of the Children’s Mental Health Center, financing a large portion of the center with a $72,600 grant while also committing volunteers over a 10year period. Five years later, the League donated $12,200 to equip a surgical room for tonsillectomies. Members continued to focus on children by sponsoring book fairs. In 1958, the league introduced a new fundraiser, the Sheram Puppet Project, to expand the imagination of the school children, hospitalized youngsters, and children with physical disabilities.
1960s
The League took an interest in promoting the cultural life of Columbus, first through donations toward the establishment of the Arts Council, which grew to be the Greater Columbus Arts Council, and then through
the donation of the Transparent Talking Woman, an educational display at COSI. The League’s fundraising efforts also provided critical support for the FamilyCentered Program of the United Community Council, the Homemaker Service of Metropolitan Columbus, and the Blackburn DayCare and Training Program for needy families.
In 1965, the League made a three-year fundraising commitment to establish the Columbus Area Information Center, known today as CRIS.
1970s
The most significant League project of the 1970s was the opening of the Kelton House Museum and Garden in 1979. With the threat of demolition, the League acquired the Kelton House in 1976, committing to restore this historic location on the Underground Railroad with the help of The Columbus Foundation. The Kelton House remains an important community project of the Junior League of Columbus to this day. In 1977, members helped
develop and launch the Columbus Landmarks Foundation, a nonprofit city-wide membership organization dedicated to historic preservation, and also donated funds to develop architectural guidelines for the Town-Franklin area, a downtown neighborhood. In 1978, the JLC also established the Franklin Park Conservatory gift shop which helped further improvements to this institution.
Meanwhile, the League significantly expanded its work on children’s issues. Members supported the Dahlberg Learning Center, which provided a Special Olympics and cultural enrichment program for developmentally disabled preschool children. Other key partnerships included City Kids, which developed programs for children to explore the built environment in Columbus; Kids on the Block, which produced puppet shows to increase awareness of child abuse; Project LEAD, aimed at developing a leadership program to young people to channel their energies and interests into socially constructive actions with the support of family, school, and community; Community Coordinated Child Care, or “4-
C, " a childcare advocacy, resource and referral agency that is now known as Action for Children; and the Hilltop Youth Advocacy Program. The League also funded the hiring of an educational curator at the Columbus Zoo. League members continued to support COSI, this time through a donation toward the Life Science Drug Education Exhibition, as well as the Columbus Junior Theater of the Arts.
Additionally, the League began to focus on criminal justice system reform. Members started a program aimed at providing professional staff for community volunteers concerned with the criminal justice system. The League provided multiyear funding to the Court Watching Project, Inc.
1980s
The 1980s produced many community projects that served the Columbus community including: Prepared Childbirth for Mentally Disabled Women, The Afro-American Museum Education Outreach Project, a curriculum for elementary and secondary schools based upon the opening exhibit for the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center, and multi-year support for a project entitled Women and Widowhood at the Center for New Directions. In 1981, the Junior League also began a long-term project in association with Ohio Wesleyan University. The Project was called OwjL, and provided summer enrichment programs for gifted and talented junior high school students. At the end of the 1980s the JLC initiated P.A.R.T.Y. (Participate Actively in Reading Throughout the Year), a reading mentor program with Capital University.
1990s
During the 1990s, the Junior League still focused on advocating for Women and Children in Central Ohio. In 1991, the League helped establish CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates) of Franklin County through financial and volunteer support. Other projects throughout the 90s included construction of a childcare room at Make Room Columbus family shelter, the start of ongoing events, and the completion of the Silent Witness Exhibit (a traveling memorial to women and children murdered through acts of domestic violence). The League also began offering math tutoring and activities to middle school students enrolled in Ohio Dominican College’s Village to Child program. The last project developed in 1998, was the launch of the JUMP! Into Leadership program, a leadership development program for middle school girls.
2000s
In the early 2000s the League Collaborated with the Valerie Still Foundation to offer HOOPS! This basketball clinic and tournament promotes girls’ self-esteem as well as leadership and teamwork skills through sports and supportive adult interaction.
The League expanded the JUMP! Into Leadership into a secondary program called JUMP! Into Service focusing on community service with middle school girls. In the 19992000 League year, the JLC launched the Adopt-a-Backpack for Children (ABC) Project which supplies Central Ohio Children with supply-filled backpacks. Since 1999, this project has passed out more than 67,000 backpacks to local children. In 2002, the Underground Railroad Learning Station opened at the Kelton House Museum. Since its inception, over 100,000 school age children and adults have visited the Learning Station.
The League donated $50,000 to the Center for Child and Family Advocacy. Junior League volunteers also provided childcare and over 2,000 busy bags for children visiting the Center, and assisted with the Kids in Court program. Partnered with the Educational Council’s LEADER Institute to create “Junior Leaders” , a leadership development program for 6th and 7th-grade girls. In 2006, launched Kids in the Kitchen, a series of programs that focus on healthy eating and reducing childhood obesity.
2010s
In the 2010s the Junior League of Columbus kept our projects going throughout the decade including the operations of the Kelton House Museum and Garden, Underground Railroad Learning Station, Girl Scout HERstory badge program, and other community projects like Kids in the Kitchen and Adopt-a-Backpack for Children. In 2018, after a multiple year evaluation, the League adopted Foster Care, specifically the population aging out of Foster Care, as the new issue-based area of focus for the League.
2020s and Today
In March of 2020, the JLC launched their new signature project, Bridging the G.A.P. (Guide. Advocate. Provide.), that supports youth aging out of the foster care system. Over the last 2 years the JLC has helped; GUIDE through education and life skills courses , ADVOCATE through our Fostering
Change by Bridging the G.A.P. Campaign, and speaking in support of House Bill 110, and PROVIDE by creating home essential care packages for Central Ohio youth. Working with Community partners like Huckleberry House, Franklin County Children's Services, Star House, Children’s Defense Fund, ADRIEL, and Action Ohio, the JLC is working to make an impact on these youth in a vulnerable time in their lives.
Over the last 100 years, the JLC has grown from 11 founding members to empowering thousands of Women in the Columbus Community. Today, the purpose and mission is the same. We are a League of women who promote volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. We are the Junior League of Columbus!
CHARITY MILESTONES 2022
MILESTONES
BESA
For 10 years, Besa has connected people with community through experiences that transform lives. We’ ve seen good throughout the community multiply as tens, hundreds and thousands of people engage with nonprofit organizations through Besa. And they ’re just getting started. To
celebrate their 10th birthday, Besa invites
you to experience the Power of 10 — your power to help ignite a wave of civic engagement and be the good, together.
COLUMBUS FASHION COUNCIL
Fashion Week Columbus is the flagship program of the Columbus Fashion Council, a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide scholarships to fashion design students and a platform for local & emerging fashion designers. Fashion Week Columbus returns on Oct. 9-15, celebrating 13 years of making an impact in our fashion community and continuing to put fashion at the forefront of our city's culture.
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FEMERGY®
GHRO Your Future Senior Celebration is a
new initiative created by Femergy to connect high school senior girls with resources on applying to college, financial aid, financial literacy, mentorship, servicelearning, and other local enrichment opportunities. This is a free community event that includes keynote speakers, resource tables, networking opportunities, and dinner for all attendees. The event will be hosted at The Ohio State University on Friday, October 28th from 6:00 - 8:00 PM.
MILESTONES
MY VERY OWN BLANKET
My Very Own Blanket is on schedule to achieve their goal of providing blankets to 30,000 children living in foster care in 2022. The organization has also expanded into Australia and Canada. And this fall, CEO & Founder, Jessica Rudolph, was selected as one of the Points of Light Inspiration Honor Roll recipients.
COLUMBUS SPEECH & HEARING
In 2023 Columbus Speech & Hearing will be
turning 100 years old! In advance of this tremendous milestone, they are looking for people to join their committees, which help support their mission.
SOCIALVENTURES
In 2022, SocialVentures grew their online Marketplace 33%, increasing engagement from 109 to more than 145 businesses showcased, while doubling the number of social enterprises featured on their Trail for Good from 16 to 31.
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NETCARE ACCESS
Netcare Access is celebrating 50 years of
serving the central Ohio community. This significant anniversary reinforces Netcare’s commitment to providing critical services for the ever-increasing needs in the community and those struggling with mental health or substance use.
ST. STEPHEN'S COMMUNITY HOUSE
Through their Mid-Ohio Market, St. Stephen's will be providing food delivery to neighborhoods in Linden. This program will make food more accessible to those in our community that do not have transportation.
MILESTONES
THE SCATTER JOY PROJECT
The Scatter Joy Project was able to invest
in a crisis text line for communities across the city and country to be able to connect with a certified crisis counselor. Anyone can text SCATTER to 741741 if they are in crisis or need to talk.
STUDENT SUCCESS STORES
Student Success Stores will host A Night To
Give Back on Friday, November 4th. The event has fundraising goal of $10,000 which helps provide Columbus City students with hygiene products, clothing, school supplies, and meals.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
The American Cancer Society is currently
funding over $8.7 million in research grants
in Central Ohio between OSU and The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital. They have also relaunched Road to Recovery, which gives cancer patients a free ride to and from treatment.
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THE SHOPS ON THIRD
The Columbus Fashion Council, in partnership with the Columbus Downtown Development and IL Moda Brands, has led the development of Columbus' first fashion & retail district located downtown on Third
Street. The shops on Third include: Alex Vinash, Encinas Designs, Joan Madison Couture, Xantha, White Canvas Designs, Danny Russo Home, The Frank Project Brands, and the Columbus Fashion Council Fashion Gallery. A grand opening of all stores and a boutique crawl will take place the evening of October 28, 2022.
NEW FACES!
Since January, Besa has added nine new team members, including:
Femergy® is excited to welcome Executive Board Member, Angelina Vega. Ms.Vega will be serving as our board secretary for the next two years.
William Allen, Coordinator, Community Volunteer Engagement Hallie Bawel, Coordinator, Corporate Volunteer Engagement Jessica Brewer, Coordinator, Corporate Volunteer Engagement Angela Caliver, Executive Assistant Josh Haspel, Manager, Product Support & Training Sara Knight, Director, Marketing & Communications Kelsey Mitchell, Coordinator, Corporate Volunteer Engagement Colin Monteith, Coordinator, Community Engagement & Partnerships Nora Yepez-Ornelas, Manager, Community Volunteer Engagement The American Cancer Society welcomed:
Isabelle Castillo-Anderson, Senior
Development Manager
Kevin Dooley, Director of Corporate
Relations
Austin Cull, Cancer Support Strategic
Partnerships Manager
Asegedech Kumnegere has joined SocialVentures as Director of Engagement and Impact.
NEW FACES!
Communities In Schools of Ohio is pleased to welcome the following new staff to their Leadership Team:
My Very Own Blanket proudly brought on three new staff members, including:
Last month, the Board of Trustees at St. Stephen's Community House welcomed their newest board member, Michael Doss.
Alyson Nobles, Regional Director of Programs & Partnerships - Northern Ohio Hannah Booth, Regional Director of Programs & Partnerships - Southwest Ohio Nichole Goodman, Senior Director of Finance Shelly Lewis, Chief Advancement Officer
Ramonda Majikas, Packing and Shipping Coordinator Amy Deverson Roberts, Director of Outreach and Engagement Pam Brown, Technology Coordinator Netcare Access recently welcomed two new Corporate Board members:
Jacqueline Doodley, Director of Peer
Support, Lighthouse Behavioral Health
Solutions
Matthew Herchik, WCMH-TV, NBC4
✅ Send us your milestones for inclusion in The
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community leaders, at cypclub.com/pulse-form.
