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Contents
Fall 2021
3 Letters from the Incoming President and Incoming Editor
LAGNIAPPE STAFF Editor: Shanelle Joseph
4 Passing of the Gavel
Assistant Editor: Allison Gallaspy Assistant Photo Editor: Torry Dean
6 JLNO Loves Provisionals
Writers: Katherine Crawford Andrews, Michelle Michler, Natalie Williams, Caroline Young
8 Heritage
JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Shannon Brice President Elect: Holly Paczak Secretary: Elizabeth Hubbard Treasurer: Nene Gianfala Assistant Treasurer: Nancy Kirkeby Business Council Director: Emily Liuzza
Women’s Leadership Summit
Communications Council Director: Ashley Millet
Friday, November 5, 2021
Community Council Director: Alyse Mouledoux
Join us for a day of professional and personal development opportunities. This will be an in-person event at the Sheraton New Orleans. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Learn more at https://www.jlno.org/wls/
Membership Council Director: Kimberly Allen Planning & Development Council Director: Ashley Llewellyn Ways & Means Council Director: Susan Kliebert Nominating Committee Chair: Ty Salvant Sustaining Advisor to the Board: Katherine Raymond, PhD
HOLIDAY SOCIAL AND SHOPPING EVENT Tuesday, December 7, 2021 Location: TBD
PUBLISHER STAFF Editor: Topher Balfer Art Director: Ali Sullivan Production Designers: Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney Chief Executive Officer: Todd Matherne Sales Account Executive: Meghan Sumrall Meghan@myneworleans.com
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Letter from the President
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hange is not typically something that excites people. However, change is important, particularly in our current time of uncertainty. We should not fear change; we should embrace it. If we accept that everything is constantly evolving, we will learn to grow and gain new perspectives. The pandemic highlighted the power of our dominant spirit and ability to adapt and evolve rapidly and continually. We saw the emergence of a new paradigm around change and our strength to seize opportunities for personal and organizational transformation. As JLNO embarks on this League year, it is important to focus on our strategic plan to ensure sustainability, fiscal health, and commitment to our mission and brand. I would like to thank our incredible Provisionals who chose to join our membership of over 2,000 women composed of working professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners and mothers all dedicated and committed to making an impact in the city we love and call home. This impact can be seen and felt throughout the city due to our evolving projects and fundraisers. It is my hope that you will join me in supporting JLNO fundraisers that make all our projects possible. Thank you for your continued support of the League and for believing in our mission. Each of you are truly amazing women leading for a Greater New Orleans. Gratefully, Photo by: Jessica Bachmann
Shannon Brice, 2021-2022 President
Letter from the Editor
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all has always been a season of noticeable change. Foliage takes on beautiful hues of earth tones, and the temperature becomes pleasingly cooler. As I anticipate the arrival of autumn, I reflect on how each of us inspires change in one another. Whether that change is the metamorphosis of once dormant leadership traits or the shedding of habits which adversely affect our potential for growth, change is inevitable. There is no other issue of Lagniappe that would accurately reflect that which is transpiring within the Junior League of New Orleans than the Fall 2021 issue. One of JLNO’s most notable events this year has been Passing of the Gavel. Our 2020-2021 League president, Kristin Van Hook Moore, graciously passed her gavel to 2021-2022 League president Shannon Brice. And, as great leaders understand the importance of tutelage, Kristin imparted upon Shannon the words of wisdom passed on to her by past League presidents. We at JLNO are certain that Shannon will combine her experience and skills set with the wisdom bestowed upon her to assist in the personal growth and leadership skills of other JLNO members. This issue also explores the provisional experience. Katherine Andrews Crawford, Lagniappe writer, recently completed her provisional year and shares notable highlights as experienced by members of her provisional cohort. Indeed, there is certainly no better way to document one’s growth from one League year to the next than Katherine’s discussion of her previous experience while working in a new role. While many League committees met via Zoom the entire League year, Katherine’s provisional cohort had the opportunity to socialize in person at Wrong Iron. While new to the League, that provisional cohort is certainly determined to defeat the odds and are truly inspirational leaders. Best,
Shanelle Joseph, 2021-2022 Lagniappe Editor
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Passing the Gavel by Shanelle Joseph
Pictured are 2020-2021 JLNO Board members from Left to Right: Jaimee Boyd, Jane Dufour, Dee McCloskey, Kristin Moore, Shannon Brice, Leigh Thorpe, Sarah Peltier, and Rachel Stickney
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key component of every successful organization is strong leadership. Thus, it comes as no surprise that Junior League of New Orleans gives much attention to detail in the selection of its president. A common trend in the attributes of JLNO’s elected presidents are commitment to service and leadership. Not only have JLNO’s presidents served in several capacities within the league, but many also generously commit themselves to being of service to various nonprofit and charitable organizations throughout the city of New Orleans. Junior League New Orleans celebrates the accomplishments of its outgoing president and welcomes its incoming president at its annual Passing of the Gavel ceremony. Kristin Van Hook Moore, outgoing 2020-2021 JLNO President, pediatric pulmonologist at Ochsner for Children and League member since 2011, reflected on her experience as President at this year’s Passing of the Gavel event on May 23, 2021. During her tenure, Kristin demonstrated genuine qualities of leadership in her support of council directors and committee chairs. “I viewed my role as making sure that council directors and chairs were able to be successful in theirs,” she said. “Seeing our members succeed in their roles this year was
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incredibly rewarding.” A dedicated mother and concerned community member, Kristin serves on the Board of Directors at her children’s school, Trinity Episcopal, and participates in the fundraising efforts at organizations such as the Louisiana Children’s Museum, Audubon Zoo and Ochsner Medical Center. During a toast to his mom, Finnegan Moore, Kristin’s son, expressed how the Moore family has openly embraced and celebrates Kristin’s altruistic nature and appreciates the Junior League of New Orleans for having provided Kristin with such an amazing opportunity. “I have only known this organization as a child of someone who serves, but I am truly moved by what you do to help our city,” Finnegan said. Kristin passed the ceremonial gavel to Shannon Brice, 20212022 JLNO President and Chief Financial Officer for Richard’s
Kristin Van Hook Moore (left) Sharing Words of Wisdom from Past Presidents with Shannon Brice (Right)
Disposal, Inc. A native New Orleanian, Shannon graduated from Dillard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Business Administration from Tulane’s A.B. Freeman School of Business. Beyond her role as President with JLNO, Shannon serves as Vice President of Dress for Success and Treasurer of the Board of Friends of City Park. Shannon’s decision to join Junior League of New Orleans has developed from her interest in volunteering with an organization making a huge impact. She has many goals for her tenure as president, all of which involve helping Junior League New Orleans members to realize their potential in contributing to the growth of JLNO. Specifically, Shannon has committed herself to “lead with transparency.” She offers that she will “acknowledge all the great work the Junior League does in the community and be our biggest cheerleader.” In addition to dedicating herself to creating a “healthy and collaborative environment,” she hopes to “recruit leaders in the community to join as well as strengthen partnerships within the community to further expand our reach.” And less than one month into her tenure as President, Shannon has actively demonstrated superior communication and leadership skills as she manages council directors and the many chairs who serve the community through the League. “Junior League is a leader in the community,” Shannon said at the Passing of the Gavel event. “Junior League is an organization for Women whose purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. This was the organization that provided me an opportunity to volunteer with like-minded women committed to making our community better.” As no event organizes itself, we must acknowledge those JLNO members who worked tirelessly to make Passing of
the Gavel possible. Torry Dean and Nicole Deshotels served as co-chairs to the Passing of the Gavel event committee, and the success of this year’s ceremony is the result of their teamwork and the collaborative efforts of other members including Shannon, Kristin, Sarah Peltier, Chair of the Ways and Means committee, and Dana and Stephen Hansel, who hosted the event in their festive garden. “Sustainer Dana Hansel was fabulous to work with as she has extensive experience in party planning,” said Nicole Deshotels. “Given the COVID restrictions changing daily, we had to act quickly when the restrictions were lifted. Dana graciously offered her home, and we all worked together to make it a successful event. Given our desire to ensure attendees safety and adhere to social distancing guidelines, we requested a garden party box for all attendees.” Torry Dean noted: “This year was challenging due to the COVID restrictions, but it was exciting to have the first in-person event to end the League year. The committee members went above and beyond, working diligently to assist in any way they could. Sarah was very instrumental in leading all aspects of the event. Dana was an absolute pleasure to work with, and her home was the perfect setting for the event.” Whether organizing a diaper drive or a holiday social, women of Junior League of New Orleans, strive to make each event a success for the betterment of the community and in support of the vision of the Association of Junior Leagues International. •
Finnegan Moore, son of 2020-2021 JLNO President Kristin Van Hook Moore
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JLNO Loves
Provisionals by Katherine Crawford Andrews
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he provisional year for future Junior League of New Orleans members is one of the most memorable parts of the JLNO experience. Women joining the provisional class not only get an immersive welcome into the world of JLNO, but they also are stepping into a community of charity and fellowship amongst other charitable women. The provisional experience is key in fully understanding how important JLNO is to the city and for new members to learn how their skill sets and talents can best support the League. The year is designed to prepare and educate incoming members on the history of JLNO through engaging chapter and small group meetings, training sessions and hands-on volunteer opportunities, all of which support the mission of JLNO. “During the year, provisionals learn about the community projects and placements, JLNO’s mission, and they meet a lot of really amazing women,” said provisionals CoChair Nathalie Dillon. “Provisionals should leave their first year and enter into active membership excited about creating their place in JLNO and finding ways through placement, community partnerships and networking to help enrich our community and their role in it.” JLNO also became a welcome support to the provisionals during a strange and challenging year. Many found their lives upturned and struggled with current events but found solace in the leaders and fellow provisionals. Those who started
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Provisionals Tara Pfeiffer, Mandi Credeur, Shelina Davis and Lauren Keefe socialize at the Provisional End of Year event at Wrong Iron
as strangers quickly became a support system as the challenges of the year brought many closer together. This past year, small group meetings, special and in-person events were all put on pause, and the provisionals became a class that mainly interacted with each other through a screen. “Being unable to participate in many of the volunteer shifts in the community that we’ve had before, the provisionals may not understand how deeply the city of New Orleans relies on JLNO and that the individual members are all pillars of this special community,” shared Lindsey Hemmer.”I think that problem is going to be very quickly solved now that our city is getting back to normal. It’s going to be a really special year!” Members of the 2020 provisional
Provisional End of Year event at Wrong Iron
class were given the option to join the incoming fall provisional class. This was in response to their year being mainly virtual and was a welcome offer to those who struggled to fully engage during a hard year or wanted to see what a more typical provisional year was like. Despite all the challenges, JLNO rose to the occasion and continued to train and welcome a new group of members this past spring. “During a time where people with different views and opinions often never interact with each other, I think JLNO offers an environment for being able to have open conversations, dialogue, and it being okay to not agree with each other on everything – yet we can be respectful to one another,” said 2020 provisional Shelina Davis. “How else will we grow and learn? I’m glad that I joined and am looking forward to connecting more with my fellow JLNO-ers and supporting and uplifting our community, especially our women and girls.” •
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Héritage The Junior League Revue By Michelle Michler
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s the Junior League of New Orleans approaches its 100th anniversary, it seems appropriate to look back at the League’s early days to get a glimpse of what membership entailed during its infancy. With the help of Sarah-Elizabeth Gundlach Lambousy, JLNO sustaining member and curator of Maps & Manuscripts at the Louisiana Historical Center, I discovered that being a member of JLNO in the 1930s involved more than service. Although voluntarism and community improvement have always been the main purposes of the League, the JLNO of the 1930s was very much about showcasing its young members and entertaining the community. In the spring of 1930, JLNO members spent the quiet weeks of Lent in long hours of rehearsal for the fifth annual Junior League Revue. The Revue was a variety show presented by JLNO displaying the talent of its members while raising funds for its causes. The proceeds from the 1930 revue went to the New Orleans Nutrition Center and two fellowships at Touro Infirmary which were maintained by the League. According to a public service ad displayed in street cars, the Revue was touted as “a song and dance act which will glorify the New Orleans girl.” For three weeks in March, the New Orleans Country Club was overtaken by the ladies of the League as they tirelessly rehearsed their dance routines for the upcoming Revue. The performers would arrive mid-morning, break for a few hours in the afternoon, and return for additional practice at night. One hundred fifty of JLNO’s talented young women appeared in the
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two-hour performance, which ran for four nights in early April at the Tulane Theater. A highlight of the 1930 show was an act titled “Bathing” featuring Leaguers clad in pink velvet bathing suits. With the help of some revolutionary mechanical effects, these bathing beauties appeared to be swimming on stage. Another audience favorite was a fashion show sponsored by Kreeger’s Store spotlighting the latest spring fashions. An article published in The Times-Picayune the morning after opening night declared: “The Junior League Revue burst most pleasantly upon Orleanians… with a display of talent which gratified an audience in a mood to be amused”. By 1936, the Revue had become so popular that when the box office opened on the morning of November 17, patrons lined up at 6:00 a.m. and waited in line for two hours to purchase their tickets. By then, it had moved from the spring to the fall and was performed at the Jerusalem Temple. Proceeds from the 1936 Revue also benefited the Nutrition Center, which had since been renamed the Community Center. The Junior League Revues of the 1930s were significant undertakings. Along with the grueling rehearsals, there was a lot of time and energy involved in publicizing the events, securing the venues, and selling the tickets. The early members of JLNO set a high standard for what a dedicated group of women can accomplish in service of others. •
