Contents
Spring 2021
On The Cover
Editor: Sonia Godfrey
The Junior League of New Orleans is proud to announce Julia Bland as our 2021 Sustainer of the Year.
LAGNIAPPE STAFF Assistant Editor: Shanelle Joseph Photography Editor: Ann Gray Conger Assistant Photo Editor: Jennifer Knecht Writers: Allison Gallaspy, Shanelle Joseph, Megan Kurtz Writing Contributors: Dr. Bridget Bagert Photographers: Jessica Bachmann, Jennifer Knecht, Megan Whalen Photo Contributors: Ochsner Health System
JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Kristin Van Hook Moore President-Elect: Shannon Brice Secretary: Emily Booth Treasurer: Jaimee Landry Boyd Assistant Treasurer: Nene Glenn Gianfala Business Council Director: Sophie Martinez Communications Council Director: Lacy McManus
In this issue:
Community Council Director: Rachel Stickney Membership Council Director: Casey Zainey Planning & Development Council Director: Leigh Thorpe
2 Letter from the President 3 Letter from the Editor
Ways & Means Councils Director: Sarah Peltier Nominating Committee Chair: Jane Dufour Sustaining Advisor to the Board: Blanche "Dee" McCloskey
4 JLNO Bulletin Board 6 Wellbeing: Allergy Management
PUBLISHER STAFF Editor: Topher Balfer
8 Sustainer of the Year: Julia Bland
Art Director: Ali Sullivan
11 Run, Walk, Give
Production Designers: Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney
12 Disaster Relief 13 What are the Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis?
Chief Executive Officer: Todd Matherne Sales Account Executive: Meghan Sumrall Meghan@myneworleans.com
14 Leading During Unusual Times: Board of Directors 26 Women Leading Creativity and Design 28 Thank You to Our Sponsors and Donors 20 League Faces 23 Héritage
Published by Renaissance Publishing LLC 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 • www.myneworleans.com Copyright 2020 Junior League of New Orleans and Renaissance Publishing LLC. Postage Paid at New Orleans and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Junior League of New Orleans 4319 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA 70115. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazine’s managers, owners or publisher. Lagniappe Magazine is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope.
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Letter from the President
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he Spring issue of Lagniappe is always one of my favorites, as it highlights the Junior League of New Orleans’ Sustainer of the Year. This year is no different, and I am thrilled to see Julia Bland receive this prestigious award. Since 1958, the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) has presented the Sustainer of the Year Award to a Sustainer who has demonstrated a commitment to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through her action and leadership. These women have taken the training they received during their active years of service and have used the skills they gained to improve the Greater New Orleans Community. Through her work with the Louisiana Children’s Museum, Julia has established both herself and the museum as leaders in early childhood programming and family support services. The museum’s stunning facilities in City Park would not have been possible without Julia’s tireless efforts and dedication. It, and she, are truly a gift to the City of New Orleans, and we are honored to have her continued support as one of our Sustaining members. In addition to learning more about Julia, I invite you to read more about the women leading JLNO and their experiences this year. I am truly grateful to be serving alongside them. The 2020-2021 Board of Directors is leading with grace, poise and true grit. These women have changed jobs, had children and cared for sick family members, all while always being willing to lend a helping hand to fellow League members. They have pivoted and reorganized priorities for the year on countless occasions in response to the ever-shifting COVID-related restrictions on activities. Despite all of these challenges, their commitment to JLNO has produced many successes. The inaugural Women’s Leadership Summit was a bright spot in the midst of supporting our community during multiple disasters. The Diaper Bank expanded and now provides regular distributions of period and adult incontinence products to our community partners. And the 2020 WE Fellowship recipient was selected from an outstanding group of finalists just to name a few. They are truly women leading for a Greater New Orleans! I hope you enjoy reading this issue and much as I have. Thank you, as always, for your support of the Junior League of New Orleans. It is truly appreciated! Gratefully,
Kristin Van Hook Moore 2020-2021 President
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Lagniappe | Spring 2021
Photo by: Jessica Bachmann
Letter from the Editor
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his has been a year of changes, to say the least. Living in the midst of a pandemic has required us all to adapt to shifting realities. Lagniappe is no exception. This issue marks the final stand-alone print edition of the magazine. Starting this summer, at the beginning of the new League year, you will find Lagniappe in St. Charles Avenue magazine. Rest assured JLNO remains committed to informing its membership about the organization’s accomplishments and opportunities to advance the wellbeing of women. It is fitting that this final independent issue is all about service. Our cover story features Mrs. Julia Bland, JLNO’s Sustainer of the Year. League members selected Mrs. Bland from an impressive pool of candidates as a prime exemplar of the organization’s mission and commitment to community development and humanitarian efforts. Mrs. Bland is not alone in her dedication to the JLNO and the wider community despite the challenges of posed by COVID-19. Our Board members graciously shared their wisdom and insight with Lagniappe, recounting how they have been able to lead the organization through difficult and unusual times. Looking toward the future, League members in the creative and design industry relate their experiences and successes to inspire others to pursue similar pathways. In addition to the pandemic, League members responded to two hurricanes that hit our state in quick succession. This issue details JLNO’s disaster relief response, which provided direct support to families displaced by these natural disasters. The League has also sought to maintain familiar traditions in addition to responding to unprecedented events. Our annual Run, Walk, Give fundraiser offered members an opportunity to connect in a safe, socially-distanced environment to ensure the organization has the resources to give back to the community through its various programs and initiatives. Overall, this issue reminds us of all we have accomplished in the face of adversity and shows us that we will be able to meet any challenges the year ahead presents.
Photo by: Jessica Bachmann
Gratefully,
Sonia Godfrey 2020-2021 Lagniappe Editor
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LEAGUE BIRTHDAY BASH Happy Birthday, JLNO! Join your fellow League members for a drive by birthday party Wednesday, March 31.
RUN, WALK, GIVE Be on the lookout for fellow JLNO members completing their virtual 10ks around town April 1-5.
TOUCH A TRUCK FINANCIAL LITERACY TEAM
Our "Touchless" Touch a Truck will be held May 1 in the Pontchartrain Center Lot.
Join the Financial Literacy Team for personal finance trainings this spring. March 18 Uncle Sam: Personal Taxes 101 April 7 401ks and Retirement April 27 Student Loan Debt
HQ CLOSURES April 2 - HQ closed for Good Friday
All trainings will be held via Zoom and are open to the public.
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Lagniappe | Spring 2021
May 31 - HQ closed for Memorial Day
Wellbeing: Managing Springtime Allergies by Megan F. Kurtz
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fter a long winter season, nothing feels better than enjoying time outside in beautiful spring weather – unless you are prone to allergy problems. Spring pollen season usually starts in late January to mid-February and lasts through May, and millions of people in the U.S. suffer from related symptoms including sneezing, congestion, sinus pressure, headaches, itchy/watery eyes and runny nose every year. Dr. Sonia Kamboj, Junior League of New Orleans Active member and founder of Breathe Easy Allergy & Asthma, recently shared a few tips on how to best manage seasonal allergies: 1. Reduce your exposure to allergy triggers. It is best to avoid outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on high pollen days, Dr. Kamboj suggests. “We recommend keeping windows shut and showering after any outdoor exposure during springtime,” she adds. 2. Try an over-the-counter remedy. Start taking allergy medications before allergy season begins. If symptoms are not relieved easily with an OTC nasal spray, eye drops or antihistamines, then additional evaluation may be warranted. “We recommend contacting a board-certified allergist to accurately diagnose and treat your allergy symptoms. However, symptoms do not include fever or body aches. If you experience these, please contact your medical provider as flu or COVID-19 testing may be needed,” adds Dr. Kamboj. 3. Keep clothes free of pollen and other irritants. “I recommend washing clothes daily and using free and clear (unscented) soaps and detergents if experiencing skin rashes and irritation,” Dr. Kamboj suggests. This includes taking a shower and washing your hair as soon as you head back inside to limit the amount of pollen you bring into the house. 4. Take extra steps when pollen counts are high. Seasonal allergies tend to flare up when there’s a lot of pollen in the air. Try to avoid outdoor activity early in the morning and on windy days when pollen counts are highest, and close doors and windows at night or any other time pollen counts are high. “Websites like pollen.com can help you track pollen counts for high pollen days,” Dr. Kamboj advises. Dr. Sonia Kamboj is a board-certified allergist and founder of Breathe Easy Allergy & Asthma. For more information, please visit the clinic website or call the office for an appointment. www.breatheeasyallergy.com (504) 934-8777
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Lagniappe | Spring 2021
Dr. Sonia Kamboj. Photo courtesy of Dr. Sonia Kamboj.
Sustainer of the Year
Julia Bland by Shanelle Joseph | Photos by Jessica Bachmann
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Lagniappe | Spring 2021
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any talented and dedicated women grace the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) with a commitment to serving the community and helping other women reach their full potential. Among those women are a few who dedicate their lives to service in JLNO and beyond. Such women continue service through the League even after transitioning from an active member to a sustainer—someone who has retired from League obligations while maintaining membership and volunteer status. More importantly, those women impart a lasting effect on society by continuing their tireless efforts to advance community development and other acts of humanitarianism. Here at the Junior League of New Orleans, we recognize those women with a nomination for Sustainer of the Year. Thereafter, fellow sustainers cast a vote to select the year’s honoree. Mrs. Julia Bland, a native of Knoxville, Tennessee and longtime member of JLNO, has been selected as this year’s Sustainer of the Year. When asked to reflect on her decision to become a member of the Junior League, Julia, the daughter of a former League member, vividly recalls her childhood. She remembers how her mother would load meals into the back of their station wagon and how she would go along for the ride as those meals were distributed to persons in need throughout the city. Voluntarism has since become a way of life for Julia. Having served JLNO in various capacities over the last couple of decades, her most memorable assignment was serving on the Executive Committee. There, she was thrilled to join a team of women who set the trajectory for the future of JLNO. Further, Julia was able to offer her expertise as a professional administrator, as well as to gain new skills. From that experience, she offers the following guidance to newly accepted JLNO members (Provisionals): “What you gain (as a member of JLNO) is proportionate to that which you invest into your League commitment,” Julia says. “It is important to take advantage of the opportunity to be trained in many different ways. That is the beauty of JLNO…consider the experience as a time of continuing education through people who know more than you. It’s the sum of the parts that add up to the meaningful result.” As a sustainer, Julia Bland remains connected to JLNO through her discussions and initiatives addressing climate and global issues, as well as research for books, sustainable gardening, monthly socials and League business gatherings. She expresses
a fond appreciation for the gardening club and maintaining a social network with other JLNO members. Her advice to active members transitioning to sustainer status is to reflect on the training provided by JLNO and to use it in everyday life. From corporate America to nonprofits and even personal hobbies, she encourages members to think of the resources and information gained and to understand that there is still room for personal and professional expansion. Continuing her own growth and staying engaged is of vital importance to Julia, as evidenced by her busy schedule. Alice Wright, JLNO’s Sustainer of the Year Committee Chair, says, “The surprise visit to tell Julia she was being honored as the JLNO Sustainer of the Year had to be rescheduled three times because of Julia’s hectic schedule. Her husband, Will, had to keep the secret and to keep changing the date. The ploy he used to get her home by 5:30 was a visit from her three grandsons...and she couldn’t pass that up!” Julia currently serves as director of the Louisiana Children’s Museum and has been pivotal in the expansion of the museum into a globally unprecedented state-of-the-art children’s museum. She credits her experiences as an active member for providing her with the tools and learning experiences required to make the expansion possible. Julia expresses a sense of honor and excitement as JLNO’s newly elected Sustainer of the Year; nonetheless, she believes it was her contribution to society and that which she does within and for the community as the basis for being selected. “Having second graders tell me that they would like to become an engineer or a scientist because of their experience at the museum is the greater reward,” Julia says. “Even having adults in their twenties and thirties discuss how the museum has impacted their life’s journeys and the trajectory of their careers.” Julia has been the recipient of many awards and honors, including the Young Leadership Council’s Role Model Award, the St. Elizabeth’s Role Model Award, the YMCA Role Model Award and one of three City Business Woman of the Year Awards. She has been recognized in her hometown as the Outstanding Alumna of Year from the Webb School of Knoxville, and she has been honored nationally with the National Medal for Museum and Library Service—an award presented by Michele Obama at the White House in recognition of service to the community and the nation. Julia was also invited by President Bush as one of 15
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community leaders to mark the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Well regarded within the community, Julia has received many letters of support for her current honor. “Julia, with her passion for and her dedication to the early development of children beyond the walls of the Louisiana Children’s Museum, has been an active and vital participant in an early childhood coalition,” one supporter wrote. “Together with an impressive network of people and organizations, she has consistently championed access to and public funding for quality childcare in our community. Her voice has been critical to successfully securing funding, including a 1:1 match from the state to cover the cost of child care for many low income residents. It seems when Julia speaks, politicians listen.” Julia and her husband Will, an attorney, have three sons: Will, Webb and John. She is “Gran” to Wilton, Ford and Robert. •
Julia Bland, Sustainer of the Year, poses in the garden at the Children's Museum in City Park.
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Lagniappe | Spring 2021
On your mark, get set… Run, Walk, Give! by Allison Gallaspy
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he Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is an official partner of the AllState Sugar Bowl Crescent City Classic’s nonprofit fundraising campaign for 2021. JLNO members and their families have been participating in the 10K race and collecting donations for the League since 2019. Although elite athletes usually claim the top prizes in the race, you do not have to have to be able to run a seven-minute mile to qualify to participate in the event. The 2021 Run, Walk, Give Committee Chair Aimee Brice encourages members of all ability levels to lace up their sneakers and commit to finishing 6.2 miles on foot. Runners and walkers for the League do not have to prepare for the Classic all on their own. The Run, Walk, Give Committee has been hosting gatherings for participants at Audubon Park every Saturday morning during the six weeks leading up to the race period. “This year, we weren’t sure if we would offer the meetings,” according to Aimee because of COVID-19 safety restrictions. But she says the response from members was unequivocal. “So many people expressed interest in attending,” she recalls. “People really want to be involved and to have that chance to run, walk or socialize safely.” The Crescent City Classic is a beloved New Orleans tradition, typically drawing thousands of visitors during Easter weekend to travel the course beginning at the Superdome, through downtown, the French Quarter, down Esplanade Avenue and to the finish line at the New Orleans Museum of Art. This year, the race will be held virtually for the second time due to the city’s restrictions on large gatherings. Virtual racers usually use phone apps or wearable devices like a fitbit to record their distance and speed along a course of their own design and then submit their results to the race organizers. Run, Walk, Give participants will be able to choose which day and time they run or walk their 6.2 miles between March 20 - April 3. In years past, walking or running the Classic meant waking up early on Saturday and having to prepare for unfavorable weather
conditions. For some League members, even the convenience of being able to schedule their own start time and course may not be enough to entice them to hit the pavement. Those members have the option to participate in the success of Run, Walk, Give by donating towards a JLNO runner’s fundraising goal. “Every dollar raised for the organization goes to help women and children in our area,” Aimee says. And members who train for the race can reap another benefit. According to Aimee, “exercise and being active helps your health, especially your heart health, which is important when heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.” Participating in this year’s Run, Walk, Give not only helps JLNO advance the wellbeing of women and children, but can help advance members’ own wellbeing at the same time. •
This year, JLNO members who register for the race and fundraise a total of $250.00 for the League can earn 10 flexible credits to apply to 2020-2021 League year obligations.
Pictured Above: Jason and Jennifer Bigelow, Mary Katherine Kaufman, Sarah Podesta, Annie Waring, and JLNO President Kristin Van Hook Moore gather at Audubon Park for race practice on February 27, 2021. Photo by Jennifer Knecht.
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The League received $23,278.55 in disaster relief fund donations that were used to purchase diapers, wipes, formula, and 60 blue tarps for roofs.
Period Supplies
30,166 Wipes
95,267
Adult Incontinence Products
3,805 More than
25 Strollers
Child Diapers
98,302 donated an additional
,000 135diapers!
“We were on the receiving end of such generosity during Katrina. We just want to do something to repay some of that kindness.” - Rachel Stickney, JLNO Community Council Director
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Lagniappe | Spring 2021
What are Symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis? By: Bridget Bagert, MD, MPH
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ften mentioned but not fully understood by the public is the condition of multiple sclerosis (MS)—an unpredictable, potentially disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain and between the brain and body. March is National Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month and is a timely opportunity to raise awareness about this disease. Nearly 1 million people are living with MS in the U.S. What causes MS? The cause of MS is unknown, but scientists believe the disease is triggered by an unidentified environmental factor in a person who is genetically predisposed to respond. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with two to three times more women than men being diagnosed. How is MS diagnosed? Diagnosis of MS can be challenging. In its early stages, symptoms may be non-specific and can suggest several other disorders of the nervous system. They may come and go and be ignored. Because MS symptoms can be unpredictable, vary in type and severity, and can affect many different functions of the central nervous system, early diagnosis is important. How is MS treated? Early diagnosis is important because there are FDA-approved medications that have been shown to modify the course of MS by reducing the frequency of relapses and preventing the development of disability. The sooner a person can begin treatment, the better. The goal is simple: to prevent damage to the brain and spinal cord in people living with MS and to prevent disability. In addition to MS medication, new research shows that a healthy lifestyle can also influence the disease course. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, a heart-healthy diet and vitamin D supplementation all have been shown to improve the lives of people living with MS. What are the symptoms of MS? Because MS affects the central nervous system, it can lead to a variety of different symptoms. Below are some more common symptoms of MS:
Fatigue Walking/gait difficulties • Numbness/tingling • Spasticity (stiffness and involuntary muscle spasms) • Weakness • Vision problems • Dizziness and vertigo • Bladder problems
Sexual problems Bowel problems • Pain • Cognitive changes (trouble learning or remembering information; organize or problem solve) • Emotional changes • Depression
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Dr. Bridget Bagert is the director of the Ochsner Multiple Sclerosis Center. A New Orleans native, she earned her medical degree from LSU in 1997. Dr. Bagert completed her residency in neurology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, where she served as chief resident in her final year. She then went on to complete a two-year research fellowship in neuroimmunology and multiple sclerosis at Oregon Health & Science University/VA Medical Center in Portland, Oregon. She then earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health at Harvard. Dr. Bagert has been in active clinical practice since 2005. She joined Ochsner in 2010 as the Division Chief of Neuroimmunology, and she is actively engaged in MS research at Ochsner. Dr. Bagert is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology.
Most of the above symptoms can be managed with medication, rehabilitation and other management strategies by a comprehensive healthcare team. If you’ve missed an annual exam or routine screening, or if you’re having symptoms you are concerned about, you should contact your healthcare provider to get your appointments and screenings back on track. Prevention is key and early detection is vital. • jlno.org
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Leading During Unusual Times JLNO 2020-2021 Board of Directors by Megan F. Kurtz
Shannon Brice – President-Elect What were some of the League’s biggest successes? JLNO has had many successes in 2020, but one of our largest successes was the Virtual Women’s Leadership Summit. The Committee did a wonderful job shifting from a 500 in-person planned event to a virtual conference that exceeded expectation. The summit featured the esteemed Phyllis Taylor as the Keynote Speaker.
What were some of the League’s biggest challenges in 2020? One of the biggest challenges during 2020 was trying to shift business processes. As organizations and businesses had been shut down to slow the spread of the virus, it became a high priority to navigate those challenges to continue operations successfully while remaining connected.
How did the League and Board of Directors pivot or change strategies? Facing a global pandemic plagued our communities worldwide. Junior League of New Orleans pivoted by creating a proactive mindset for ideas and concepts to keep our members engaged, all while still being a leader in our community. The League is currently operating on a hybrid model. We continue to follow the CDC guidelines to ensure our staff and members remain safe. Large meetings and events are held virtually, and only small group meetings where members could be socially distanced were held upon approval. What was the role of technology in helping bring folks together? Technology played a major role in bringing people together during this difficult time. Online platforms made a large impact in businesses and organizations to help everyone remain connected when meeting in person was not an option. Remote working will likely not go away in years to come. We have learned to successfully operate this way and will most likely adopt a hybrid model moving forward. What is your hope or vision for 2021? I am optimistic for 2021. My hope is that we will become more patient with and supportive of one another. I am hopeful that COVID will become controlled and we can begin to bring the community back together.
Sophie Martinez – Business Council Director What were some of the League’s biggest challenges in 2020? One of the biggest challenges we’ve faced with COVID-19 is changing the ways we raise money through events that are typically hosted in person. When we started this year, we knew COVID was here, we hoped it would improve in the fall, and then realized it wasn’t going anywhere. How did the League and Board of Directors pivot or change strategies? We didn’t want to push back the new Women’s Leadership Summit further, and after considering a hybrid event, we decided to go fully virtual. It was challenging to deviate from our original plan, but we beat our expectations and brought in committed sponsors who supported us that helped us surpass our fundraising goal. Now we feel confident providing a virtual component to all of our events, figuring out which options people prefer and offering that as an option when possible to help fit people’s schedules and lifestyles.
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Rachel Stickney – Community Council Director What were some of the League’s biggest challenges in 2020? I think the biggest challenge faced was that many of my committees had to rework their programs to move forward during the pandemic, but in ways that kept our members and the community safe. There was a lot of pivoting and having plans A, B, C and D, always with an understanding that we might still have to go with something that wasn’t planned for. Some committees had a little bit more of a natural path to virtual events/programming or reworking their programming to have smaller numbers of people in attendance and more sessions. For others, it wasn’t as easy, or there was the potential that it would impact the quality of the programming. But the women in leadership roles on the Community Council are amazing. They have stepped up all along the way and have been flexible and fluid in every decision and situation. How did the League and Board of Directors pivot or change strategies? The WE Fellowship committee was so patient while we were in limbo about whether an in-person event was possible, if it was going to be all virtual, or if it was going to be a hybrid event. The whole committee was so thoughtful throughout the entire planning process to make sure that the applicants had the best experience and opportunity to pitch their product. I was so incredibly proud of them and the way that they stepped up. The pitch competition was wonderful—the finalists pitched from headquarters and audience members tuned in via Zoom. Our summer classes for Safe Sitter were done in partnership with the Parenting Center, and there were a lot of logistics to work out with the Parenting Center and JLNO to ensure the participants were safe and still able to get the necessary training. Again, thanks to incredible committee leadership, they faced each challenge head on, and we were able to offer more classes this year to meet community needs. Their class schedules were altered a bit and the way that the class utilized Headquarters was changed; students were put in “pods,” masks and social distancing were required, and temperature checks were implemented. As a board, we’ve just had to be very adaptable and had to meet members where they are. We’ve added a lot more options for volunteer opportunities that can be done remotely or in a very safe way, most all meetings have a virtual option, and I think just giving people grace (and ourselves) a little grace. This has been a year of challenges on so many fronts and it is inspiring to see our members continue to show up and respond when there is need (the Hurricane Laura response was amazing!).
What was the role of technology in helping bring folks together? Technology has been invaluable. Community Council is such a big council that it hasn’t felt safe to get us all together in person. There are some committee chairs that I haven’t even met in person yet—but Zoom keeps us all connected. We’ve also been able to offer a lot of programming for some of our committees that might not have otherwise been able to happen this year. What is your hope or vision for 2021? I just hope that at some point in 2021, we can safely come together as a group. I think some of the human connection that is so valuable in JLNO is missed. 2020 was a particularly challenging but fulfilling year. I hope 2021 has a few less curveballs.
Sarah Peltier – Ways & Means Council Director What were some of the League’s biggest challenges in 2020? The Ways & Means Council is responsible for fundraising, and most of the fundraising has traditionally been through events. So, this year the chairs have had to get creative with events that fit COVID restrictions. One of the biggest successes so far has been the Holly Jolly Market. In the past, the holiday market was held at JLNO Headquarters, but the chairs took the event online. They saw the need to be a good NOLA neighbor and support small businesses that have been affected by the pandemic. The committee kicked off the event at the holiday GMM with videos from sponsors and a holiday fascinator contest. Members were enthusiastic about the contest and market! Because of the pandemic, our “Touch a Truck” event has been on hold. The chairs plan to host the event in April 2021, but I am certain it will look quite different. We have brainstormed the best way to hold a safe, community event that we hope can bring in funds for JLNO. What is your hope or vision for 2021? I think the key for this year has been flexibility and creativity. I am excited to see what else the council can accomplish!
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Women Leading
Creativity and design for a Greater New Orleans Carleton McGowin Young Interior Designer
How did you get to where you are today? What decisions, obstacles or milestones have defined your success? Since I started studying interior design in college, I have had a dream of owning my own design firm. After moving to New Orleans post-graduation, I knew I was going to have to learn to navigate this deep-rooted city before achieving my goal. When I finally felt I was ready to take the leap of faith to start my own business, I was also learning how to find my way being a new mom. While that came with its own challenges, it also allowed me to naturally grow my business, which fortunately has happened quicker than expected. How have you used your artistic design skills and creativity to enhance the community and/or contribute to your role in the League? With the Junior League being focused so much on fundraising and charitable events, it has forced me to think outside the box and get creative on ways to draw people in. Everything from ticket sales strategies to children's activities at events have taught me so much and expanded my creative thinking.
Photo courtesy of Carleton McGowin Young.
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How has the League influenced you personally and/or professionally? While having my hands in various committees and events over the years as a Junior League member, I have been able to expand my strategy, leadership and teamwork skills. This has greatly helped me in business as I work with clients, as well as making larger decisions such as hiring my first employee. Since I now have someone working under my wing, I have used that leadership and teamwork experience on a daily basis.
Maggie B. Heller
Content Director & Photographer How did you get to where you are today? What decisions, obstacles or milestones have defined your success? To truly answer this question I would need a full two-page spread! Ultimately I would say a lot of hard work and dedication to my craft. One particular milestone was when I was fortunate enough to land an internship at Sports Illustrated/Time Inc. which turned into a full-time job. That time allowed me to build a lot of relationships with legends in my field; not only did I learn a ton but it opened doors for other opportunities. How have you used your artistic design skills and creativity to enhance the community and/or contribute to your role in the League? I had the pleasure of bringing the Women's Leadership Summit Committee’s vision to life when I created the brand mark for the inaugural conference last year. How has the League influenced you personally and/or professionally? I love being a member of the League. I joined shortly after moving to New Orleans three years ago to meet other women and make friends, but it has been so much more than that. I have gotten involved in the community and been able to be a part of so many excellent service projects that I would have never known about if it wasn't for the Junior League of New Orleans.
Photo courtesy of Maggie Heller
Charlotte Anderson Parrino Artist
How did you get to where you are today? What decisions, obstacles or milestones have defined your success? I grew up in Charleston, South Carolina and studied painting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. I moved to New Orleans in 2004, one year before Hurricane Katrina, so that my husband could take a job at the Ochsner Clinic as a heart and lung transplant surgeon. I find inspiration everywhere. My abstract paintings involve layering colors and neutrals on canvas to create highly textured paintings. In addition to creating purely abstract canvases, I also enjoy painting abstract landscapes—often pulling inspiration from the beautiful Louisiana marshes as well as from the coastal environment of my childhood home in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
Photo courtesy of Charlotte Anderson Parrino
How has the League influenced you personally and/or professionally? Over the years since moving to New Orleans, I am grateful to the Junior League of New Orleans for providing me with access to so many different volunteer experiences. Those volunteer experiences have given me (and continue to renew in me) a strong sense of being rooted in the community. I am honored to be able to say that many of my paintings hang in the private collections of League members. I also feel fortunate to be able to donate artwork to fundraising auctions benefitting local, non-profit organizations that the Junior League supports.
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Thank You to Our Sponsors and Donors Donations received between October 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. Support includes gifts to JLNO Programs, Annual Giving, Endowment and Fundraising Events.
Please contact Development Coordinator Paige Morrison about bequests and planned giving — paige@jlno.org or 504-891-5845
$10,000+
$250-$499
Catherine Fabre
Mina Makarious
Katherine Argote
Jessica Firdge
Anne Marsala
Elaine Garvey
Kirsti Friend
Cassidy Maumus
Hampr Inc.
Nicole Fuller
Christen Mayer
Elaine Mogabgab
Carol Gelderman
Shelley McAllister
Mary Temple Thomas
Nene Gianfala
Melissa Mcqueen Karney
Ashley Gold
Megan Mitchell
Gulf Coast Bank & Trust
Megan Mitchell
Sonia Hartner
Paul Moss
Carolyn Hennesy
Jessica Ortiz
Bernadette Hickerson
Deirdre Provosty
Amy Hurt
Kelicia Raya
Tina Jones
Miranda Rector
Lillie Joyce
Virginia Saux
Krystal Braud
Jennifer Jumonville
Allison Shapiro
Susan Coooper
Kristin Kearns
Frank Sloan
Pamela Cooper
Lauren Keefe
Katherine Smith
NOH3, Inc., Red Dress Run
Madeline Cottrell
Alyssa Klein
Elizabeth Stern
NOLA Couture
Katherine Crosby
Julie Krebs
Rachel Stickney
Postlethwaite & Netterville, APAC
Shelina Davis
Megan Kurtz
Elizabeth Stowers
Strauss Massey Dinneen, LLC
Susan Dinneen
Emily Liuzza
Jay Taffet
Dana Dupre
Terrica London
Leigh Thorpe
Eden House
Elena Luca
Elizabeth Varco
Eileen Escobar
Marissa Maddalen
Beth Walker
Anonymous
$2,500-$10,000 Lucid Biz New Orleans The New Orleans Advocate Waters, Parkerson & Co., LLC
Up to $249 Catherine Alexander
$1,000 - $2,499 Garden Club of the JLNO, Inc. Ashley Geary Saj
$500-$999 Philip Gunn
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Anne Angelico Essence Banks Alina Beltrami Benevity Community Impact Fund
Erica Washington
Hillary Christiansen
Jessica Ortiz
Sarah Wood
Jessica Whitworth
Lenora Costa
Bess Perret
Alexa Youssef
Morgan Wilson
Katie Davis
Libby Phipps
Paisley Wohl
Emily Degan
Claire Pontier
Diaper Bank Donors
Casey Zainey
Amy Flower
Susana Ruddock
Margaret Archila
Regan Zibilich
Margaret Francez
Margaret Saik
Taylor Baggarley
Angela Henderson
Mary Wallace Shaver
Ellen Noble
Bloomin’ Deals Donors
Leslie James
Henna Silvennoinen
Bess Perret
Nicole Abrashoff
Judy at the Rink
Anna St. John
Katherine Saulsbury
Kristin Alvey
Jennifer Jumonville
Logan Talbert
Krystal Vaughn
Katherine Argote
Nancy Kirkeby
Nichelle Taylor
Carleton Young
Catherine Barnett
Lisa LaViers Kim
Clara Van Horn
Meredith Beers
Kristen Leonard
Nicki Vegel
Period Product Donors
Ana Borden
Nicole Licardi
Tara Waldron
Essence Banks
Jillian Carruth
Alexis Miller
Annie Waring
Nancy Kirkeby
Taylor Morgan
TRIBUTES & MEMORIALS
In Memory of Mrs. John Charbonnet by the Junior League Interior Decorating Club In Honor of Hurricane Victims by Alexa Dow In Memory of Anne Brown Reily by Adelaide Benjamin In Memory of Anne Reily by the Garden Club of the JLNO, Inc. In honor of The Rowing Club by Amber Beezley In Honor of Tom by Maggie Hawkins
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League Faces
Many hands make light work at the Diaper Bank. Over 80,000 diapers were packed up and made ready for distribution day.
L-R, Sarah Podesta, JMary Katherine Kaufman, Jennifer and Jason Bigelow and Annie Waring get moving at Audubon Park on February 27, 2021 to prepare for Run Walk Give. Photo by Jennifer Knecht.
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Run walk give practice at Audubon Park. Photo by Jennifer knecht.
Libby Phipps enjoys spending time sorting and labeling diapers knowing she is contributing to a great cause in assisting agencies throughout the New Orleans area in giving out thousands of diapers for free.
Kate Argote, Team Leader for the Diaper Bank, stacks boxes of diapers one on top of another in preparation for disbursement to the community.
Often times the tedious work of labeling and sorting that goes on beforehand is what makes the diaper bank's process so successful in handing out thousands and thousands of diapers. Melissa Nick does a great job of staying on task.
Two great leaders of the Diaper Bank, Laura Abrams and Kate Argote, know the amazing feeling of giving back and serving others.
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Karen Dunne of Wegmann Dazet & Company and JLNO member Victoria Phipps look over the day's agenda. Photo by Megan Whalen.
JLNO Member April Taussig poses with a furry friend while volunteering with Rolling River Rescue, a JLNO partner.
Leigh Thorpe moderates the panel discussion at Get On Board's session on February 27, 2021. Photo by Megan Whalen.
Vanessa Berg (GOB Chair), Leigh Thorpe (moderator), Megan Kiefer (panelist), Belinda Fly (panelist), Katherine Raymond (panelist), and Tara Waldron (GOB Chair) gather after a successful Get on Board session. Photo by Megan Whalen.
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Héritage At Home with Junior League of New Orleans By Shanelle Joseph
Artist sketch submitted for Decorator's Show House.
Y
ears ago, as spring approached and citizens of New Orleans anticipated warmer weather, crawfish season and the blossoming of nature’s beauty, local interior designers, landscape architects and various artists anticipated partaking in the Junior League of New Orleans’ Decorator’s Show House. This marvelous event allowed both established and aspiring home designers to showcase their artistic skills and creative imagination among some of the most historical homes in the city. Each year, the Decorator’s Show House committee selected one home for artists and designers to showcase. Among the show house and artistry were events such as luncheons, sneak previews, and before and after parties tantalizing
guests with fine cuisine from local staples such as Commander’s Palace, Maurice French Pastries and Ristorante Bacco, to name a few. The Decorator’s Show House committee prepared for the main event, which occurred once every three years, by selecting a home and a number of designers and landscape architects. Each artist was assigned to a specific room at the home or within the yard, which essentially became the canvas from which to work. The year 1996 showcased 5411 St. Charles Avenue, which was identified as Decorators’ Show House VIII. Built in 1906, the 6 bedroom, 5 bathroom Mediterranean style structure has garnered its place among New Orleans’ historical homes. Interior designers and landscape
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ABOVE: Rebuilding Together volunteers work to rebuild the home of Loretha and Chuck Feast. RIGHT: Decorator's Show House brochure
architects such as Sherry Haydel, Louis Guevara, Pamela Desselle, Carl Palasota and numerous others from across the state submitted sketches of their assigned canvases and personal biographies, which were published in the event’s program. As time progressed, the Decorator’s Show House became a part of JLNO’s history rather than its future. A similar event called Christmas in October, which was established in 1989 and occurred simultaneously with DSH, eventually took center stage. Christmas in October, later called Rebuilding Together, aimed to assist elderly and disabled homeowners whose homes were in need of renovations. Through the program and in partnership with Preservation Resource Center, JLNO selected one home each year and provided renovations such as interior and exterior painting, stuccoing, bathroom rails, sustainable kitchens and any others that would make the home a safe and happy place to live. •
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