A Publication of the Junior League of San Antonio, Inc.
Winter 2020 | jlsa.org
SCRAWLS
OUR VISION We are a community of women realizing and cultivating our gifts, passion, and purpose. We will advance San Antonio through bold female leadership in positions of responsibility and influence.
COMMUNICATIONS COUNCIL
TABLE OF CONTENTS Winter 2020
Rachel Bruno Vice President of Communications Rebekah Perez Vice President-Elect of Communications Hayley Almaraz E-Blast Coordinator Giselle Villalpando Graphic Designer Rachel Webb Graphic Designer Caitlin Irwin Historian
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Letter From the President 4 Setting the Trajectory of Transformational Impact Board of Directors 6 Junior League: A History of Service 8 Community Spotlight 10 SA Works - The Heart & Soul of JLSA
Pamela Perry Historian
Money to Mission 12
Brandis Davis Layout Editor
Introducing Fall Fest 14
Laura Tannenbaum League Photographer Marissa Herrera League Photographer Kelly Jean Garza Little Black Dress Lisa Lautenschlaeger Print Publications Manager Amanda Gentis Public Relations Manager Kelley Moritz Social Media Coordinator Rebecca Cord Website Manager Meredith Balzen Writer / Council Liason
New Member Project
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The Social Buzz 17 LeaderBOARD 20 Signature Project 21 Paving New Paths Sustainer Spotlight Cynthia Murray & Thille Newton
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AMIGOS: A Mission in Giving Others Support 24 Birth & Marriage Announcements and Accomplishments JLSA History 28 The Children's Free Clinic & Sunshine Cottage
Ria Patel Writer / Council Liason Ariana Barbour Sustaining Advisor to Communications Council
On the cover: JLSA members showing off their strength while volunteering at Science Camp
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT Setting the Trajectory of Transformational Impact The
Junior League of San Antonio is in its 96th year as a community of women serving our mission and realizing our gifts, passion, and purpose. For a League to attain 96 years of growth and advancement, it takes bold female leadership, generous donors, and community support to set the foundation in place to build what you see today. Over nearly 100 years, JLSA has established and shaped many programs in San Antonio that are still in place, such as the docent programs at the Witte Museum, San Antonio Zoo, and McNay Art Museum. For 65 years and counting, the Junior League has provided scholarships to students at Sunshine Cottage. More recently, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of our partnership with Goodwill through our annual Rummage Around Goodwill event. Last year, League members donated nearly $150,000 in goods to Goodwill, and the event is Goodwill San Antonio’s single largest revenue day of the year.
Introduction of 20 new Trailblazers for the second year of Paving New Paths, our centennial fundraiser. Funds support renovations of the future Junior League of San Antonio Educational Center at Clarity Child Guidance Center. Funding will also support our Signature Project, a program in partnership with Clarity Child Guidance Center aimed at making significant strides in children’s mental wellness education.
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Newly formed Sustainer Leadership Board focused on enhancing the sustaining member experience and providing guidance to our JLSA.
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Relaunch of our Community Advisory Board, composed of influential community leaders and ambassadors for the Junior League of San Antonio, who advise the League on long-term direction and strategy.
Our mission and vision are not achieved by one single member or confined to four walls; they are embodied in the spirit of giving and leadership that all our members, past and present, demonstrate every single day. The generosity of our donors and supporters who give their time, talents, and treasure, strengthen our ability to set a trajectory of lasting impact in the city of San Antonio. From all of us at the Junior League of San Antonio, I extend a heartfelt thank you to our members and our supporters. Our legacy continues, thanks to you.
In 1925, JLSA became the first Junior League to utilize a historic building as its headquarters, placing us at the forefront of historic preservation. For many decades, our property served as the setting for various events and activities, and it experienced a healthy growth in value. Last year, through the sale of the Bright Shawl, we were able to establish investments that will continue to contribute to our sustainability as an organization for decades to come.
Sincerely,
Yvonne Addison 2019-2020 JLSA President
It is our passion to continue to serve the communities of San Antonio, to foster incredible women leaders, and to leave a legacy of transformational impact. 2019-2020 marks a landmark year as we launch towards our 100th anniversary and so we have aptly named it “Liftoff to 100.” The trajectory and advancement, as a League, are being set in motion by the implementation of several programs. •
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New Mission Credit Hour format, which provides greater flexibility for members when it comes to volunteer and leadership development opportunities.
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Passion for a Purpose Luncheon
Wednesday, March 4, 2020 Mays Family Center Witte Museum Featuring Guest Speaker Kendra Scott
To inquire about table sponsorship opportunities, please email luncheon@jlsa.org
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2019-2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Yvonne Addison President
Kristen Palme Treasurer
Amanda Crouch Vice President of Fund Development
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Courtney Ringelstein President-Elect
Heather Blazi Treasurer-Elect
Sara Geissler Board Secretary Picture Not Shown
Megan Kucera Vice President of Community
Rachel Bruno Vice President of Communications
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Chala Cripps McDonald Vice President of Membership Development
Sadie Schweers Vice President of Research and Development
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Crystal Sperber Vice President of Planning
Tara Shelton Vice Chair of Training & Education
Emily Daugherty Assistant to the President
Sarah Wannarka Nominating Committee Chair
Alison Wiesenthal Board Member-At-Large
Lauren Malitz Bylaws Chair / Parliamentarian
Leslie Ochoa Signature Project Chair
Lorena PeĂąa Centennial Fundraising Chair
Kassie Szolkovy Membership Program Coordinator
Alejandra De Los Santos Financial Administrator
Stephanie Reese Strategy & Operations Chair
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Sheila Mayfield Sustaining Advisor to the Board
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JUNIOR LEAGUE: A HISTORY OF SERVICE BY CAITLIN IRWIN AND CHALA CRIPPS MCDONALD
To mark Veterans Day and Remembrance Day, we are celebrating
not only the military contributions of the Junior League women who came before us but also the achievements of those who have served in more recent times. Throughout the years, League members have devoted volunteer efforts across the nation to our country when we were at war. Since the early days of the organization, the women of the Junior League have been playing critical roles in various branches of the military, exemplifying perhaps one of the noblest interpretations of what it means to be a civic leader.
WORLD WAR I World War I involved League members in wartime volunteer service – making bandages, knitting garments, and selling Liberty Bonds. 126 Junior League members served with the YWCA in France. Junior Leagues also played an active role in selling bonds and working in Army hospitals. The San Francisco Junior League formed a motor delivery service that served as a model for the nationwide Red Cross Motor Corps. League volunteers also “carried on” during the influenza epidemic that broke out following the end of the War.
WORLD WAR II During World War II, Junior League members played a major role in the war effort by chairing hundreds of war-related organizations in virtually every city where Junior Leagues operate. The Association of Junior Leagues of America prepared the first national plan for central volunteer bureaus across the United States and provided consultative services for administrating them. League conferences were discontinued, and members were encouraged to join the women’s branches of the armed services or to take jobs in war industries, if they could. Oveta Culp Hobby, a Houston League member, led the Women’s Army Corps. Others, who carried on the volunteer effort, staffed USO Centers for servicemen and women and set up nurseries for war workers’ children. Volunteers helped in locating housing for war plant employees and in relocating evacuees from war-torn countries. The entire country was moved to support war efforts in every way possible to include changes in the labor market, volunteer endeavors, and making sacrifices— all for the good of national unity—and the Junior League of San Antonio (JLSA) was at the forefront of such efforts in our city. In 1944, JLSA hosted a war loan drive dinner at the St. Anthony Hotel that brought in a total of $4,275,000 in bonds. Those that attended the sold-out $1,000-plate dinner were entertained by Winter 2020
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motion picture and radio stars Dick Foote, Gene Autry, and Red Skelton. During this same time, JLSA donated a mobile blood unit to the Red Cross to assist with blood drives. This was the first mobile unit in Bexar County and could process 160 people per day and carried 12 beds, five tables, and laboratory equipment. Several JLSA members assisted the Red Cross by filling many of its needs as staff assistants, nurse’s aides, and Motor Corps volunteers. League members also helped recruit other women to assist at the convalescent hospital at Fort Sam Houston and served as medical technicians in the Women’s Army Corps. In 1945, JLSA used over $2,000 from its annual Rummage Sale to fund rehabilitation programs specifically dedicated to servicemen at the Brooke General Hospital. The League also furnished a telephone and lounge room for patients and hosted parties at the camp with food, entertainment, and company. Some lucky soldiers were awarded with a telephone call home for the Christmas holidays. Additionally, League members beautified an outdoor recreation garden for the convalescent cadets. By the end of World War II, the Junior Leagues, again, had proven their effectiveness in a time of national crisis.
WORLD WAR II VETERAN MEMBERS During World War II, Flight Officer Kathleen Walsh Walker of the Junior League of Montreal assumed leadership of the Royal Canadian Air Force’s Women’s Division, which provided air and ground crews. Margaret Eaton of the Junior League of Toronto and Junior League of Winnipeg member Frances S. Aitkins became the two highest-ranking officers in the Canadian Women’s Army Corps (CWAC), whose members worked as drivers, cooks, clerks, messengers, and canteen helpers. Together, they took the first contingent of CWACs overseas. By the end of the war, more than 45,000 Canadian women had signed up to serve and 3,000 CWACs were serving in war zones. In 1941, Oveta Culp Hobby of the Junior League of Houston was named first commander of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, a job in which she traveled the country— carrying with her an electric fan and iron to press her colonel’s uniform—to tell groups of men and women about the role of women in the military. In 1953, she went on to serve as the first U.S. Secretary of Health, Education & Welfare. www.jlsa.org
At the age of 24, in 1943, Cornelia Fort, a member of the Junior League of Nashville, was killed in a mid-air collision while delivering an aircraft from Long Beach, California to a military base near Love Field in Dallas as part of her duties for the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, later known as the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. Having narrowly escaped a Japanese combat plane at Pearl Harbor in 1941, she was the first female pilot to be killed on active duty in American history.
SUPPORTING THE MILITARY Locally, JLSA strives towards strengthening our relationship with the thriving military community in San Antonio. Some of our own military members provide wonderful insight into possible projects. Pamela Sanders Perry, retired Coast Guard member, suggests many ways we can support our military community. The League has the potential to be a constant in welcoming military-connected women, both spouses and active duty, into our community knowing that they may transfer sooner rather than later. Another one of the great ideas has been to partner with local retailers and other interested members to gather needed items to hold quarterly baby showers for service-connected women, as many military connected women are hundreds, if not thousands of miles away from their family when giving birth.
it sits. So, partnerships with community organizations is very important for the readiness of deploying units, soldiers and their family members.” Sara Geissler, retired Navy officer, reminds us it is not all serious business. While serving on the USS Eisenhower, she says, “I had to maintain a flight status, so I needed to get my flight hours from the ship. The squadron that I flew with allowed me to shoot the side door gun out of the helicopter for target practice. I was also catapulted off the ship in a C-2 aircraft a few times which was also very cool.” Far from exhaustive, this short list does not include all of the women of the Junior League who are still serving the military on active duty or as vital reserves. The Junior League has served and continues to serve as a vital part of the support to our troops. JLSA strives to give back to the community that provides us the freedom to volunteer.
Army physician assistant Sharon Twin Denson juggles JLSA and her active duty status, where she has been assigned to Brooke Army Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Clinic after working in the Pentagon for the last four years. She advocates for a partnership between JLSA and San Antonio’s Wounded Warrior Project, the Military Caregiver’s Program, the Center for the Intrepid, and the Fisher House as a huge win for JLSA and the military community. “Although I am an Army physician assistant, I did not work in that capacity in my last assignment. I was an aide-de-camp to the Army Inspector General, and this allowed me to travel around the country visiting multiple military installations," she says. "What I learned is that the strength of any military installation is greatly dependent upon the community in which Winter 2020
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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT SA Works - The Heart & Soul of JLSA BY LAUREL DIXON AND BRANDIS DAVIS
Through the Junior League of San Antonio’s application process
for Done-In-A-Day Projects, community partners have the ability to request the support of the League’s trained volunteers to assist them with a variety of standalone projects that can be completed in a day. Common examples of these projects include assisting with community enrichment events, preparing and serving meals to families, and organizing children’s activities. The San Antonio Works Committee, affectionately known to JLSA members as SA Works, is often considered the heart and soul of the League, as they are the team of volunteers who fulfill many of these requests from the community.
Habitat for Humanity
When people think of the Junior League, one of the first things that come to mind is volunteering and direct service to the community. Throughout the League’s 96 years in existence, it has stood steadfast in its foundational principles of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and providing the community with trained volunteers. The Done-In-A-Day Projects and SA Works do just that, putting volunteers hand to hand and heart to heart with the San Antonio non-profit community on a daily basis.
Based on the reputation the League has cultivated over nearly 100 years, community partners know they can count on highquality volunteers from JLSA. So, it is no surprise that the SA Works team has ample opportunities to serve a variety of non-profit organizations all over town throughout the year. So far this year, SA Works members have completed a little over 1,200 volunteer hours with 50 community partners. “Members of the SA Works team love having the ability to work with different community partners and the variety of their volunteer roles. The non-profits we work with truly value and appreciate the support we provide them, whether it is an extra set of hands as they set up for a special event or additional smiling faces when interacting with the clients they serve,” said Vice Chair of SA Works Committee Evangelina Reza-Holliday.
“By partnering directly with the organizations in our community, even if it is only for a shift, volunteers and agencies get to experience the bond of collaboration towards a common goal. That is a lot more than we would get during an interview or facility tour .” Evangelina Reza-Holliday, Vice Chair of SA Works Committee
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Walk Like MADD
Zoo Boo
Zoo Boo
Stuff the Bus School Supply Drive
MAKING AN IMPACT IN OUR C
SCIENCE CAMP $100 provides a scholarship for one girl to attend a week of Glenda Woods Girls University camp
$100 allows the J scientific-grade i about STEM-base Girls University c
$50 provides supplies for a day of STEM-based experiments for girls attending Glenda Woods Girls University camp
University Hospital $400 purchases Halloween costumes for 21 pediatric patients at University Hospital for a Halloween parade and trick-or-treating party
SA WORKS
$200 provides one meal for fa Children’s Bereavement
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COMMUNITY ¡Vámonos! $35 provides race entry for one girl participating in ¡Vámonos!, JLSA's partnership with Girls Inc. and Hemisfair, that trains girls to run the ¡VIVA! SA Race
¡Vámonos !
JLSA to purchase instruments to teach girls ed subjects at Glenda Woods camp
FAME AWARDS
$2 ,
$2
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$7
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funds costumes and uniforms for a musical theatre class
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$2
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funds master teachers to benefit an entire school dance program
amilies at Center allows a mariachi program to bring in guest clinicians
funds a new saxophone case
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CELEBRATING FALL FEST BY MEREDITH BALZEN
On September 28, families from around
the city made their way to the Junior League of San Antonio’s Fall Fest event at Hemisfair Park. The outdoor downtown location was an idyllic setting for the event that boasted activities, food, fun, and shopping for the whole family. With nearly 500 people in attendance on the big day, the League was beyond pleased. “We are thrilled with how the event turned out,” said Amanda Crouch, Vice President of the Fund Development Council. Before the Junior League year officially kicked off, the Fund Development Council was tasked with creating a new fall fundraiser. At the early planning stages, the team’s goal was to create a familyfriendly event for the community that would play up one of JLSA’s strengths— its dedicated army of trained volunteers. “From the get go, Brooke and I knew what we were taking on—the challenge of creating a new event,” said Kristel Gonzaba, Fall Fundraiser Committee CoChair. “We never doubted our decision, and we loved being able to bring our ideas to life.” Kristel and Brooke Haley, who were tasked with turning the idea of a new fundraiser into a reality, credit much of this year’s success to the mighty members of the Fall Fest Committee, along with support from the rest of the League and the office staff team. Winter 2020
On the big day, kids enjoyed a variety of activities, including the Kiddie Cake Walk, sponsored by Nothing Bundt Cakes, pumpkin decorating, face painting, Magik Theatre Story Time, and the biggest hit of them all, Touch-A-Truck, sponsored by Raising Cane’s. Among the trucks in the Touch-A-Truck area were a vintage mustang, police car, ambulance, tractor, and fire truck. Not to be outdone by the kid’s activities, the shopping was top notch, as many local vendors lined the sidewalk of Hemisfair. Patrons could purchase anything from handmade purses to sweet-smelling candles and adorable apparel for kids and adults.
“We reached out to lots of local vendors. We strongly believe in shopping local and supporting our fellow entrepreneurs, so we tried to have all local merchants," said Brooke. Above all, Fall Fest was intended to be an event that supports childhood mental wellness and JLSA’s Paving New Paths Centennial Campaign, which, among other things, aims to raise funds for a grant to provide the Clarity Child Guidance Center with a state-of-the-art education center to train the next generation of caregivers. For more information about the centennial campaign, visit jlsa.org.
“It was such a neat opportunity for my sons to experience the vehicles up close and personal!” Rebekah Perez , JLSA Member 14
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NEW MEMBER PROJECT Ready to Serve BY ELIZABETH LOGSDON
Every June 1, a group of roughly 100 women begins their new
member year with the Junior League of San Antonio. The new member year is a busy and exciting time in which these ladies are completing volunteer hours, attending meetings, and learning about the inner workings of all aspects of the League. The goal of this year is to provide JLSA’s newest members with opportunities to establish relationships, develop the skillset needed to be successful throughout their League careers, and have fun! While the general outline of the program is the same each year, it changes and evolves along with the Junior League and the times. For example, this year, new members were the initial participants in JLSA’s first virtual meeting. After several weeks of planning and testing, the main meeting was held at League headquarters, with 40 new members in the room, and was livestreamed on Facebook, allowing for several satellite meetings to take place all across the city. The livestream format was a big success and will continue to be used in the future. Throughout the year, one of the major milestones of the program is the New Member Project. This group service effort allows the new member class to come together to complete a Done-In-A-Day Project, benefitting one of Junior League’s community partners. With that being said, on October 12, approximately 60 new members arrived at the San Antonio Food Bank (SAFB) ready to get to work for the community. SAFB has green donation barrels placed throughout the city, where anyone can leave non-perishable food items. On this day, new members were tasked with sorting through these bins and grouping like items together based on the Food Bank’s pre-determined categories, while also checking all expiration dates. After a brief introduction by SAFB staff about their mission and the objectives for the day, the new members jumped right in—literally! Several attendees climbed into the deep food bins in order to more easily distribute the items within to their fellow members. Impressively, in just under three hours, new members sorted more than 10,000 pounds of food, which equates to more than 8,000 meals for people in need in the local community.
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THE SOCIAL BUZZ Congrats to two of our members, Sarah Palmer and Kristen Henry, who were both named as Eleanora Magazine’s 2019 Texas Women to Watch!
In July, our awesome SA Works volunteers helped at Habitat for Humanity by installing and painting siding on a home. "Happy thoughts can't build houses, volunteers can!"
Thank you to our volunteers who hand delivered school supplies to the children at local elementary schools on behalf of SA YES, a local nonprofit providing school supplies to Title 1 elementary schools.
Congrats to our fellow member Jennifer Donegan who recently received a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH) BRAIN Initiative for her schizophrenia research. The Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies (BRAIN) Initiative is aimed at revolutionizing our understanding of the human brain.
Our President Yvonne Addison and our Paving New Paths Chair Lorena Peña discussed all things Fall Fest and Paving New Paths at KENS5! Special visitor, Jamie Martin from KJ97, stopped by the JLSA office to create a promo video for this year’s Fall Fest featuring our VP of Fund Development, Amanda Crouch, and Fall Fest CoChair, Brooke Haley.
JLSA teamed up with Girls Inc. to host a summer camp full of STEMbased activities and experiments. Science Camp aims to provide girls ages 6-12 with the confidence, knowledge, and skills to pursue their interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).
Shout out to our SA Works volunteers who teamed up with other hard working organizations to help spruce up the Cibolo Nature Center & Farm!
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JoIn JLSA Women who unite with a common purpose and strong commitments can build better communities.
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VIVA! SA RAcE
The MiSSion of JLSA: The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
I LoVE JLSA DAy
MeMberShip benefiTS: Make positive changes in the San Antonio community Expand your circle of influence and connect with inspiring women
fAME
Meet new people and form lifelong friendships Impact so many lives by giving back effectively and efficiently Do good on a regular, ongoing basis Experience personal growth and leadership development
RuMMAgE ARounD
Expand your professional skill set Participate in a well-run organization
APPLy AT JLSA.org unSToPPAbLE LunchEon
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Saturday February 22, 2020 Shop at various Goodwill store locations Member volunteer opportunities
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LEADERBOARD
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John Maxwell
BY RIA PATEL
As a part of JLSA’s mission to improve communities by developing trained volunteers to empower them to be informed, responsible, and effective board members, LeaderBOARD was born. This program is the perfect start for professionals who want to learn the basics of fundraising, board governance, strategic planning, and advocacy, and it is taught by local experts in each respective field. LeaderBoard, now in its sixth year, is open to the public and to participants of any gender.
This training program takes place over a six-month period, with one session held each month. Course completion is celebrated with a diverse meet-and-greet with community non-profits who are seeking charismatic, enthusiastic, trained volunteers to serve on their boards.
professionals to come together to focus on core non-profit board responsibilities.
The first step to strong non-profit performance is a clear understanding of the board’s role and a shared commitment to leveraging the board’s full potential. LeaderBOARD's six different educational seminars create the opportunity for
Over the course of the six months, participants gain a better understanding of leadership to expand a non-profit board member’s role in fundraising and understand specific steps and processes for success. LeaderBOARD is ideal for any non-profit organization that is looking to be more strategic about the way it identifies, cultivates, recruits, and prepares potential board members. Participants from LeaderBOARD are placed in a database, in which their names are available to community non-profits who are looking for new board members. This program is designed for individuals who are eager to take their leadership to the next level of performance. If you or someone you know is interested in participating in the 2020-2021 LeaderBOARD Program, contact leaderboard@jlsa.org.
2019-2020 LeaderBOARD Participants
AMBER JONES
DELAINA FRIAS
LASHAWNDRA PATTERSON
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APRIL GUERRA
ERIN DAVIS
ASHLEY ADAMS
ASHLEY JACKSON
BLAINE LEWIS
HAILI PUE
HEATHER HATHAWAY
HEATHER POSEY
LAURA KALB
LIZ FORSTER
NICOLE O'BRIEN
SARAH PALMER
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MARY REDDIC
MELINDA PEREZ
SHARON BARBER
SYDNEY KNOWLES
DARLEEN FREEMAN-ROSSER
LARISSA MARTINEZ
MORGAN RAND
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SIGNATURE PROJECT Paving New Paths BY LORENA PEÑA
A trailblazer is defined as a person who blazes a trail for others
to follow through unsettled country or wilderness, and the Junior League of San Antonio has been blazing trails and paving new paths in the community for the past 96 years. To do this, it has taken a lot of hard work from many esteemed Junior League members, as well as partnerships with our big-hearted and like-minded community leaders. From children’s hospitals to walking trails, you would be astounded by the work JLSA has done over the past nearly 100 years. Now, we find ourselves once again taking on an issue that we feel will leave lasting ripple effects in our community - children’s mental wellness. Throughout the 2017-2018 League year, members of the signature project team conducted a research endeavor to find out what the greatest needs were in the community. In September 2018, Junior League members voted to select children’s mental wellness as the focus area of our next signature project. When it comes to children’s mental wellness, access to care, support, and education are instrumental and lacking in the San Antonio area and beyond. Based on that information, we decided to partner with Clarity Child Guidance Center, the premier mental health treatment center for children and adolescents in South Texas, for our centennial project called Paving New Paths. Along with raising funds for the new signature project that will bridge physicians at Clarity, JLSA’s volunteers, and mental wellness experts to create curriculum to share with our community, Paving New Paths will also be raising money for a sizable grant for Clarity. This grant will renovate a building on the Clarity campus, to be renamed the Junior League of San Antonio Education Center and provide a state-of-the-art space to help Clarity share even more training sessions on a nationwide level. To make all of these wonderful things happen for Clarity and the community, each year from now until 2023, we will need 20 community members to serve as Trailblazers. These individuals can come from the mental health field, have been touched by children’s mental health, or just be a strong community advocate who is willing to step up to the challenge of raising $5,000 for that year. With one in five children (nearly 100,000 kids in Bexar County) being affected by mental illness, the amount of people who are impacted or know someone who is affected by children’s mental illness is larger than we think. A sad statistic is that more than 60% of those children will not receive the care they need. That is why we must all do what we can now to help future generations. Trailblazers will not only raise money for the Junior League’s grant to Clarity, but they will also help to shine a light on the issue of children’s mental wellness in the community, which is essential to ultimately removing the stigma associated with this health topic. Plus, how amazing would it be to say YOU were one of the 100 people who helped make the state-of-the-art education center at Clarity and a premier children’s mental wellness curriculum a reality for the entire San Antonio community! The 2020 campaign started on January 27. If you or someone you know is interested in serving as a Trailblazer, email Lorena Pena at lorena@stic.net, or feel free to visit https://pavingnewpaths.swell.gives for more information about the Paving New Paths Project. Thank you to the 2019 Trailblazers for Paving the Path, and the League looks forward to the amazing work in the future!
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SUSTAINER SPOTLIGHTS Cynthia Murray & Thillie Newton INTERVIEWS BY RIA PATEL
For
Any fond memories you have of your time in the League? Any many, membership in the Junior League is a lifelong placements that you recall were you favorites? journey. From time spent as a new member and the transition to the active member years to becoming a sustainer, the League I worked in the Bright Shawl Tea Room and served as the cohas seen scores of women through various seasons and phases chair and chair for the annual Rummage event. One year during of their adult lives. Rummage, which was held at the convention center, there was Recently, we had the opportunity to chat with Cynthia Murray a dog that was roaming around during the sale. Well, I ended up and Thillie Newton, who are both sustainer emeritus members – taking the dog home. sustaining members who have reached the age of 80. Any other thoughts or advice to give to prospective JLSA members? CYNTHIA MURRAY Make the most of the opportunities that the League gives you. It is so important to get to know one another. Junior League gives women the chance to think outside of the box, build relationships, become ready for new employment or career opportunities, and develop skills for any stage in a woman’s life. I still keep up with a few friends from my new member year. I love the direction the League is taking for the future—moving with the times of increased development and technology. The fact that the Junior League is expanding membership opportunities is amazing.
Cynthia, why did you join the Junior League? When I was in high school, I was heavily involved with volunteering for the American Red Cross. Back then, I was the only student director of the American Red Cross from Texas. Naturally, volunteering has always been a big part of my life. I was still involved with the American Red Cross, even as a military spouse, as well as other volunteer organizations. It was just natural for me to join the Junior League when I did in the 1960s. Did the League help you gain skills for your career? Yes. My time in the League helped me gain the confidence and clarity that I needed to succeed as a real estate agent. I was one of the first team members for Kuper-Sotheby’s. In fact, I still work part time as an Alumni Agent Manager. Since I married young and did not get to finish college, the League gave me the opportunity to gain skills I would not have been able to obtain otherwise. Through the League, I was able to learn about procedural skills. Winter 2020
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THILLIE NEWTON
Any other thoughts or advice to give to prospective JLSA members?
Thillie, why did you join the Junior League? Is your home League San Antonio or another city? Always make sure that leadership maintains consistency within the organization. One thing that I particularly found useful I joined the Junior League in 1968-69 in Mexico City. I was moved was STUFF (Sustainers Transfers United for Fun). STUFF helped to join the organization because I just adored some of the gals transfers become acquainted with their new League, community I had known already, who were in the League. I also joined partners, projects, and other members. It really helped sustainer because I wanted to be a part of the city, and since my husband transfers make that connection. Through the years, I felt that it was working for the Coca-Cola Export Corporation, I had a desire needs a reboot. It is a wonderful way to incorporate the current get to know it better. Spouses of international employees were membership with the new crowd. It would be great to see it not granted work visas, so I had a lot of free time. I wanted to revived again. make the most of it by joining the League. The Mexico City League was well organized and had a variety of projects. Any special memories of your time in the League? I had the best new member year! Literally, I was able to see every part of Mexico City. We were scheduled project times nearly once a week, and I made some lifelong friends from my time there. I was also part of the team that helped initiate a savings fund for current and future projects. We knew that many communities depended on our funding and time commitments, so we wanted to ensure that their needs would be met and they would not be left in a financial bind. We wanted to cover our bases. What does the Junior League mean to you? I have always supported the Junior League in every part of my life after becoming a member. I have also kept up with some of my dear friends from my new member year. A couple of them are Jackie McClenan (family started Oak Park Cleaners) and Emily McCann (past president). The League has always been an integral part of my life. My daughter is part of the Dallas League.
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AMIGOS: A MISSION IN GIVING OTHERS SUPPORT
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Birth and Marriage Announcements Clockwise from top left Erinn Walker welcomed a baby boy (Samuel) in August. Pamela Cantu welcomed a baby boy (Henry) in August. Stephanie Osterveen got engaged in June. Rebecca Burshe welcomed a baby boy (Daniel) and a baby girl (Merit) in September. Hazel Davis got engaged in June. (picture not shown)
Accomplishments From top to bottom Kristen Henry started her own literacy consulting practice and wrote a book. Lauren Malitz earned bronze medals in women’s slalom, tricks, jumping and overall at the 2019 International Waterski and Wakeboard Federation Senior Pan American Championship. Melanie Tawil was appointed by Mayor Ron Nirenberg to the City of San Antonio Small Business Advocacy Committee. Ruth Morris celebrated her white coat ceremony. She is completing the Translational Science Ph.D. program in the Graduate School of Biomedial Sciences at UT Health San Antonio.
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SUSTAINER LUNCHEON An Annual Reunion BY CHALA CRIPPS MCDONALD
The San Antonio Garden Center was the
place to be on October 30 for the Junior League of San Antonio’s annual Sustainer Luncheon. Over 80 of JLSA’s sustaining members celebrated their continued dedication to the League, caught up with old friends, and learned about current happenings in the organization. Along with a State-of-the-League presentation by President Yvonne Addison, four sustainers also spoke to attendees as part of the festivities. The Sustainer Engagement Committee, consisting of Marissa Cox, Ria Patel, Catie White, and special assistants Brandi Adams and Alyssa Ramirez, did an excellent job of putting together this lovely event, to include décor, photo opportunities, and a “Remember When” display table with items from JLSA’s past. Two new members—Hayley Cleary with Crumbs by Hayley and Brooke Morales with Ballooms of San Antonio—helped make this day special by sharing their creative talents with the League. As a small token of appreciation, attendees went home with hand-crafted Junior League logo cookies and individual mini succulents that everyone could not seem to get enough of. Lesley Vernor, the Sustaining Advisor to the Membership Development Council, kicked off the program with a beautiful welcome address and her appreciation for each person in attendance. Gretchen Garceau-Kragh, the 2018-2019 Volunteer Extraordinaire and Sustaining Advisor to the Finance Committee, spoke about how the League played a pivotal role in her life by welcoming her to each new city with an instant group of friends, given her experience as a military spouse having to move multiple times over the years. Highlighting both educational and inspirational aspects, Gretchen attributed JLSA leading her to fundraising and finance expertise, more Winter 2020
community involvement with other non-profits, and even getting her hands dirty with the grease trap in the Bright Shawl kitchen. In remembrance of Past President Marilyn Eldridge who recently passed away, Gretchen praised Marilyn’s encouragements, humor, grace, and candor.
“Thanks to all of you, children are educated; the homeless are fed; girls are strong, smart, and bold; and the environment is protected.” Gretchen Garceau-Kragh, JLSA Sustaining Member Introducing the inaugural Sustainer Leadership Board, Sheila Mayfield, the Sustaining Advisor to the Board of Directors, explained how this new group will focus efforts on how sustainers like to be engaged and plans for sustainer-only Done-In-A-Day projects.
the significance of additional giving. President Yvonne Addison delivered a strong message about how the Junior League remains a cornerstone of philanthropy and how we are setting the trajectory for our 100th year coming up in 2024. She described how our members continue the legacy of volunteering with the San Antonio Zoo, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary of the docent program that JLSA created; our partnership with Girls Inc. and inspiring work at Science Camp; and our ongoing support for the Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children scholarship programs. As we #Liftoff to 100, Yvonne detailed the reestablishment of the Community Advisory Board, property sale investment plans, search for a new executive director, and our Centennial Partnership with Clarity Child Guidance Center for our Signature Project and Paving New Paths Campaign. As the Luncheon wound down, there certainly was no shortage of chatter, laughter, poses for the camera, and even new friendships being formed, which afterall, is the best sign of a successful event!
The Sustaining Advisor to the Fund Development Council Melissa UnsellSmith led a conversation on the importance of “Sustaining our Mission” through the Annual Loyalty Fund. Giving specific examples for exactly how far a dollar can go to support Science Camp, the Children’s Bereavement Center, and FAME (Funding Arts and Music Education), Melissa asked all sustainers to consider what JLSA has done for them personally and how empowering and bold our programs are when considering 26
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JLSA HISTORY The Children’s Free Clinic & Sunshine Cottage
Many are aware of the Junior League of San Antonio’s signature project—a partnership with Clarity Child Guidance Center with the shared goal of improving children’s mental health. But, what a lot of people do not know is that JLSA has played a role in improving children’s health care from the earliest years of the League.
On October 6, 1924, the JLSA undertook complete financing of the San Antonio Children’s Free Clinic with Mrs. Lyda King as the director. The following text is from a brief history of the League that was found in the archives. The author is unnamed, but it may have been written in the mid-1980s. “The Junior League wants to use the basement of the church for a children’s free clinic. 'What is the Junior League, Margaret?' These were the questions Dr. P. B. Hill of the First Presbyterian Church asked Mrs. Ike Kampmann in 1924 when the newly-founded JLSA was seeking a space to set up its first project—the Children’s Free Clinic. Like Dr. Hill, few people in San Antonio were familiar with the goals or work of the League. Today, in looking back over 60 years of steadily expanding community service, it is evident that JLSA has created path through which young women have recognized the needs of the community and done something about them.
elsewhere. The equipment, which was mostly second hand, was sold or given away. In 1946, Dela White came to the Junior League requesting help to build a school for the deaf. Such a facility did not exist in our city, a void Dela realized because of her daughter, Tuleta, who was hearing impaired. Mrs. White and Tuleta had to travel to California for quality training at the John Tracy Clinic. Rather than move the family to California, the White family decided to start a school for deaf children here in town. With the infectious and spontaneous enthusiasm of the community at large, Sunshine Cottage was born. The League was the catalyst behind this school established to teach the children to speak, lip read, and develop what hearing possibilities each possessed. The city gave the caretaker’s cottage on the Hannah Landa Memorial Library grounds to JLSA rent-free. It also made a gift of the utilities. Local merchants donated equipment and labor and even fruit juice and crackers for the young students. League members and parents hammered, papered, and painted away, and on June 16, 1947, Sunshine Cottage opened with six pupils, one teacher, and 10 volunteers. Each year, the project grew until it finally moved to its present location on Stadium Drive in 1952.
Dr. Hill did agree to let the League use the church’s basement, and the Children’s Free Clinic became a reality. From 1924 until 1942, it was the JLSA’s major project. It provided medical and dental care for children of families who could not qualify for existing health care programs. Doctors and dentists generously contributed their time and services, and the Clinic, with League funds, took care of eyeglasses, lab tests, hospital bills, and even provided free toothbrushes. Volunteers assisted the doctors, did the clerical work, and formed a motor corps in order to serve more clients. Mrs. Robert Mickler recalled those early days when new members operated the motor pool; a task later assigned to sustainers and eventually discontinued on the advice of an insurance company. The need for this facility was tremendous; however, after 18 years, the Children’s Free Clinic was closed. World War II began, causing most of the doctors and dentists to leave to join the service, and many of the indigent could now receive health care services Winter 2020
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To this day, the League's relationship with Sunshine Cottage remains strong. Every year, JLSA presents two deserving students with scholarships from a fund that was established more than 50 years ago!
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SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
©2016 HEB, 16-6154
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OUR MISSION The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
100 N.E. Loop 410, Suite 101 San Antonio, Texas 78216 T: 210.225.1861 F: 210.225.6832 www.jlsa.org
UPCOMING EVENTS Event details available at www.jlsa.org
Now Open - March 15 JLSA Membership Applications for 2020-2021 February 22, 2020 Rummage Around Goodwill March 4, 2020 2nd Annual Unstoppable: Passion for a Purpose Luncheon at the Witte Museum featuring Kendra Scott April 4, 2020 8th Annual ยกVIVA! SA Race at Hemisfair April 5, 2020 6th Annual FAME Awards at Trinity University's Laurie Auditorium
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, Tx Permit No.144
