Brittany Guest and Lauren Hobbs; Sara Jane Cantwell; Jolsna Thomas; Kelly Bodú; Amber Capps; Lyndsay Kerr; Courtney Dickey and Jennifer Rieck, Cynthia Akatugba; Emeka Anyanwu and April Guerra; Natalie Thompson; Megan Flanary and Rhea Singh; Elisabeth Pefanis; Elleana Poulis, Brooke Mountain, and Dominique Green; Rachel Pry and Rachel Zander; Erin Kent, Madison Gessner, Elizabeth McCormick, and Rami Legha; Shannon Meroney; Shawn Dooms and Laura Millavec; Lauren McKenzie and Christi Eastham; Amber Myers and Shelly Heflin; Elizabeth Hadley; Jessica GonzalezBricker, Marjorie Gale, Kirstin Harrell, Liz Rubio, LaToya Sales, and Angela Lipscomb; Jennifer Nubie.
CONNECT
LEADERSHIP
Blooming Where You’re Planted
When I first moved to Austin a decade ago, I was enchanted — like many fresh transplants — by the seemingly endless supply of breakfast tacos, the tree-lined paths encircling Town Lake, and the year-round patio weather. However, it was around 6 years ago, when I joined The Junior League of Austin (JLA), that this city truly began to feel like home, the community that I wanted to immerse and invest myself in.
As a military brat with a nomadic upbringing, my life has been a crash course in trying to bloom where I’m planted. Luckily for me, JLA is a community garden teeming with the most vibrant, nurturing crop of goodhearted go-getters. I can see why A Christmas Affair® (ACA) has the theme of “Christmas in Bloom” this year, and it’s not just because florals are aesthetically pleasing. Who wouldn’t want to set roots down among the amazing women who make up The Junior League of Austin?
O f course, there’s the public-facing impact that makes an incredible difference in Austin. JLA members help rally our community to donate 30,000 coats and thousands of pairs of shoes annually for local children. We also make sure kids have nutritious food to eat over the weekend. We raise over $1 million — a staggering amount — from ACA’s holiday market and parties. And you can find Junior League women volunteering nearly any day of the week across town, working with children, animals, the arts, and more.
We do all this while managing incredible careers: as law firm partners, as solopreneurs, as educators, as creative professionals. On top of it all, we manage to care for our loved ones. You name it; a Junior Leaguer has done it.
Through JLA, I’ve found my therapist, my realtor, the friends who organized my baby shower, and even a cat (her foster mom was my Project Chair for my first-ever community placement with Emancipet). I’ve befriended the kind of detail-oriented, motivated women who will send you a spreadsheet listing and categorizing amenities that a hospital’s postnatal ward does and does not provide to patients. They mobilize meal trains to nourish families celebrating new babies or battling illness. No one told me about the impact the League would have on my life.
I ’m proud to surround myself with these women who inspire me daily in ways both big and small, public and private. And it’s my honor to help tell their story this year as Capitalines Editor. I hope reading about their accomplishments ignites something in you — to give more generously of your talents and your treasure and to shout from the rooftops about your involvement in the largest women’s service organization in the Austin area.
With gratitude,
Rebecca Teibloom Capitalines Editor 2024–25
CAPITALINES COMMITTEE 2024–25
EDITOR Rebecca Teibloom
WRITERS Andrea Rieck and Rekha Roarty
DESIGNERS Christi Eastham, with special thanks to Missy Sharpe
SUSTAINING ADVISOR Andrea Lofye
Amplifying JLA’s Everyday Impact
It is an incredible honor to sit at the helm of the largest women’s service organization in Austin, with over 2,300 dedicated members. As the fourth largest league in the Association of Junior Leagues International and with the largest Provisional class in at least 5 years, The Junior League of Austin’s (JLA) relevance and commitment to our mission have never been more clear.
The impact of JLA extends far beyond impressive statistics — 30,000 coats distributed, 2,800 pairs of new shoes delivered, and 34,000 backpacks of food provided to children in Central Texas each year — not to mention the 22 nonprofit partners we support annually with both funds and volunteers. Our deepest impact is seen in the lives of our members.
JLA women amplify our work through their own professional careers, philanthropic involvement, elected offices, board positions, entrepreneurial endeavors, leadership roles, and personal giving. Every day, our members live out JLA’s mission to develop women to change communities for the better.
We are particularly proud to celebrate the 15th anniversary of our signature impact program, Food In Tummies (FIT). Each week, more than 250 JLA volunteers take inventory, pack, deliver, and distribute nutritious food to children at Baty and Hillcrest Elementaries in Del Valle ISD. Over the past 15 years, we have provided
essential weekend meals to over 12,000 children. Thanks to our strong partnership with Del Valle ISD, the FIT program has expanded to include healthy recipe pamphlets, educational pep rallies, and Thanksgiving turkey deliveries. It’s a true joy to see the first beneficiaries of FIT now attending college and pursuing professional opportunities.
Each year, the JLA President selects a theme to guide the League. This year, we have embraced the mantra “Empowered Women Empower Women.” As a League, we are committed to providing our members with the education, training, and opportunities necessary to gain valuable organizational and leadership experience. We believe the skills they develop here will empower our
members to inspire and uplift other women in our community, ultimately strengthening the fabric of Austin.
For the past 90 years, the women of JLA have been an integral part of Austin’s growth and success. To support the work of JLA, please visit jlaustin.org to learn about membership, volunteering, and giving opportunities. Our reach in the community is only
Empowered Women Empower Women
As a member of The Junior League of Austin (JLA), I wholeheartedly believe in this statement, and I am committed to living it every day.
But what does it mean to empower someone? When we empower others, we encourage and support them and their ability to do something.
As members of The Junior League of Austin, we are given many opportunities to empower others. We do this by listening to others and sharing our own stories; by providing opportunities in which to learn new skills and gain
knowledge; by ensuring safe places to take risks, learn from mistakes, and gain confidence; and by allowing each other to embrace our autonomy and own our achievements.
When you take the time to introduce yourself to someone new at a meeting; nominate a friend for recognition or an award; work alongside a community partner; raise funds for our programs; continue to engage as a Sustaining Advisor; or simply share your knowledge, encouragement, or financial support, you are empowering other women.
As the Sustaining President for the 2024–25 League year,
I have the privilege to work alongside the Board of Directors and more than 2,300 members — Provisionals, Actives, and Sustainers alike — to ensure that we are empowering each other, our community, and future generations of League members.
This year, we anticipate providing 34,000 bags of food, 2,800 shoes, and 30,000 coats to children in our community. We will support our community with $225,000 in funding through grants and fellowships and 6,400 community volunteer hours. We will work together to raise the funds needed to support our mission with our signature events, A Christmas Affair® and Austin Entertains, as well as through rental income at our Community Impact Center. In doing this work, we empower each other and the greater community.
I hope you will join me this League year and commit to empowering those around you. As individuals, we can make a difference, but when we focus on collective efforts, we can truly change the world!
Lyndsey Crawford
Sustaining President 2024–25
The Junior League of Austin Board of Directors: (back row) Whitney Broughton, Brittany Guest, Jennifer Williams, Erica Shelgren, Ashley Bias, Jamie Zerwas Mills, Kristen Reynolds, Danielle Treviño, Marcella Viktorin, Lyndsey Crawford, Sara Hogan; (front row) Jazlyn Wiles, Courtney DeBower, Amy Miller, Courtney Dickey, Danielle Bornowski, Tillery Castillo
PRESIDENT Courtney Dickey
SUSTAINING PRESIDENT Lyndsey Crawford
PRESIDENT-ELECT Amy Miller
ADMINISTRATIVE VP Tillery Castillo
COMMUNICATIONS VP Danielle Bornowski
COMMUNITY VP Kristen Reynolds
FUND DEVELOPMENT VP Ashley Bias
MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT VP Courtney DeBower
OPERATIONS VP Erica Shelgren
OUR MISSION
The Junior League of Austin is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.
RECORDING SECRETARY Sara Hogan
TREASURER Jennifer Williams
BYLAWS/PARLIAMENTARIAN Jazlyn Wiles
TREASURER-ELECT Marcella Viktorin
MEMBER-AT-LARGE Danielle Treviño
MEMBER-AT-LARGE Jamie Zerwas Mills
ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT Whitney Broughton
ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD Brittany Guest
Taking the League’s Mission Above and Beyond
JLA Members Bring their Leadership and Training out into the Community
By: Rebecca
Teibloom
Every year, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) members hustle to fulfill their annual membership requirements: attending meetings, paying dues, and clocking in volunteer hours. But for many, embodying the spirit of JLA’s mission is much greater than checking off a few boxes.
At its core, The Junior League of Austin is a training organization. Members are equipped with leadership skills, confidence, enthusiasm, and a network to expand their philanthropic reach above and beyond what is expected.
“Passionate JLA ladies are always an asset to our nonprofits and local community,” said Sustainer Sara Jane Cantwell. “If you know of a position that you would be a great fit for, speak up to the leaders of that organization! Volunteer to do special projects for your preferred organizations. Show them that your heart is in it.”
TURNING PLACEMENTS INTO PASSION PROJECTS
Cantwell started volunteering in 2018 at the Mothers’ Milk Bank lab in Austin. As her first community placement after her Provisional year, she fell in love with the organization’s vital work of saving babies’ lives by providing prescribed donor breast milk. Cantwell now sits on their Board of Directors and President’s Council.
“JLA has taught me so much. I’ve learned more about volunteering and the needs of the community, but more than anything else, I’ve learned who I really am as a philanthropist,” Cantwell said. “I have been able to set goals for myself, and JLA gave me the tools to complete [them].”
Similarly, Sustainer Elizabeth Hadley turned her first community placement with JLA into an ongoing leadership position. In 2010, after transferring from The Junior League of Washington, she volunteered at Dress for Success Austin (DFSA), helping with intake and inventory of donations and client education and development.
“I was so inspired by the DFSA mission to empower and support women and their families. As a professional woman and mom, I feel very strongly about helping other women in our community. I am thankful to JLA for introducing me to DFSA,” said Hadley, a lobbyist and attorney.
She served on the DFSA Board of Directors for more than 10 years, including as Chair of the Board, and says she used what she learned from JLA about leadership, organization, and working with volunteers and donors to aid her in that position.
Cynthia Akatugba also became heavily involved with DFSA after her JLA community placements with the organization from 2021–24, serving as an image consultant, then a career consultant, and finally as a path-to-employment mentor.
“My life experiences are what make me so passionate about Dress for Success and what keep me coming back year after year to support this organization in any way I can,” said Akatugba. She immigrated to the United States at 11 years old with her parents, who had to restart their careers in a new country.
Akatugba’s own career path has involved pivoting from teaching middle school math to attending law school. She is currently the Assistant Vice President
Sara Jane Cantwell volunteering in PPE at the lab of Mothers’ Milk Bank, where she serves on the Board
Elizabeth McCormick speaking as President of The Salvation Army of Austin’s Women’s Auxiliary at their spring luncheon fundraiser
for Legal Affairs at The University of Texas at Austin. For her help editing resumes, conducting mock interviews, and discussing career goals and networking tactics with clients, she was recognized as DFSA’s Volunteer of the Year in 2022.
Finding such passion for a community partner’s mission has motivated several JLA members to step up into leadership positions with those organizations.
After her community placement in outreach and adoption support with the Austin Humane Society in 2018, Brittany Guest continued volunteering with the animal shelter, which led to her greater involvement in Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue (TGPR), eventually moving into an area coordinator and Board position with that group.
“With TGPR, I would pull pups from the Williamson County Animal Shelter, which is now also a JLA community
partner,” Guest said. “So it all came full circle.”
CREATING A RIPPLE EFFECT IN FUNDRAISING
After interviewing leadership from The Salvation Army of Austin during her service on the JLA Researchers Committee in 2020, Elizabeth McCormick learned the organization has a Women’s Auxiliary (SAWA), which is a group of volunteers who help support the efforts of the Salvation Army at shelters, fundraisers, and more. In 2021, she joined several JLA Sustainers on SAWA, then became the Rathgeber Chair who plans events at the family shelter, and now serves as the President of SAWA, holding a seat on the “big [Salvation Army] Board.”
“From JLA, I learned how to budget in regard to being a good steward of members’ dues, knowing that spending your own committee’s money can impact future committees and members’ expectations about
their own personal spending. When you have the opportunity to sit on a committee with a budget, you hear and learn how important it is to have a strategic plan for the years to come,” said McCormick, who chaired the 2024 Austin Entertains event, leading a 30 percent year-over-year increase in profit for the signature JLA fundraiser.
Experience in charitable fundraising is a common refrain among JLA members’ lessons learned.
“My JLA placements have trained me so well in development that I’m on the March of Dimes and the Susan G Komen Boards and lead their development practices for their respective galas,” said Kelly Bodú. “I couldn’t have done it without the training JLA gave me.”
When serving as JLA Community VP in 2022–23, Rachel Pry came to know more about CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Travis County, which receives funding from JLA
Cynthia Akatugba at Dress For Success Austin’s annual Little Black Dress soirée in 2023, when she received their Volunteer of the Year Award
LEADERSHIP | Feature
as a community partner. Now she is Co-Chair of the CASAblanca Gala, an annual fundraiser to support CASA’s work in advocating for children who have experienced abuse or neglect.
BUILDING COMMUNITY-WIDE CONNECTIONS
Pry credits her team-building skills to leadership positions during her years in the League.
“When I was Coats for Kids Chair in 2020, I saw firsthand how innovative and responsive our members were during difficult circumstances. As a JLA-trained leader, I knew the shared value of inspiring a team to accomplish any task,” Pry said. “Still, I couldn’t have imagined the impact of achieving a seemingly impossible task during a global pandemic. Meeting each committee member where they were and valuing their contributions while not comparing them to each other made the shared accomplishment of distributing over 28,000 coats to children in need even more rewarding.”
As her CASAblanca committee works together to meet their goal of raising $2 million to support children and families in the family court system, several Junior League members are among the committee’s ranks.
“Know that the connections you make in JLA will support your work in the community. Serving as a CASAblanca committee member alongside so many wonderful JLA members gives me all the feels,” Pry said.
Among those JLA members is Rachel Zander, who is currently a Coats for Kids (CFK) Sustaining Advisor after serving as CFK Chair in 2017. Perfectly illustrating the symbiotic relationships among the JLA network, Zander credits herself for recruiting Pry to be part of JLA in the first place.
“We call on our former Junior League friends because we’re trained and ready to work,” Zander said. “After we’ve spent a whole year working on this [CFK] project together being teammates, you form a bond together.”
In fact, Pry is one of the “hardcore Coats for Kids people” — along with current JLA President Courtney Dickey — who Belynda Montgomery said made her want to return to the signature program year after year. Montgomery was Coats for Kids Chair in 2014, served for years on the CFK committee, and continues to help as a Sustaining Advisor alongside Pry and Zander today.
Shannon Meroney and her sons, Griffin and Callum, volunteering at the Meals on Wheels Central Texas headquarters with the Young Men’s Service League
“It’s reassuring to know you’re part of a big picture and part of a team, and you’ll get through it. It’ll get done,” Montgomery said. “I take it all — the PR, the marketing, the nonprofit work and mindset. I use it all and take it to other organizations that have other women in hope that they will also join the Junior League. I’m always recruiting.”
PARENTING AND PHILANTHROPY
Last year, Zander took her volunteer organization skills to her son’s elementary school and an adjacent school in Round Rock ISD, educating the students about the coat drive and their ability to help other kids in the community. The two campuses had a coat drive competition, collecting a total of nearly 3,000 coats for Coats for Kids.
Other JLA members have also leveraged their volunteering experience as involved parents. Shannon Meroney, who was a JLA Board Member-at-Large in 2010, learned about the Young Men’s Service League (YMSL), a mother-son volunteer organization, through some of her JLA Sustainer friends as their children grew to teenagers. Although YMSL doesn’t have a direct connection to JLA, it has a similar format of serving community partners and providing informative speakers at membership meetings.
“JLA was the perfect training ground to equip me as a leader in YMSL,” Meroney said. “Because the boys are only in high school for 4 years, YMSL doesn’t have the luxury of
WORKING (AND SERVING) 9 TO 5
Other JLA members have transformed their careers to transition to working in the nonprofit space. After several treasurer roles in JLA, Sustainer Jill Klucher left her job in tech to work in donor relations and development for several nonprofits, including Animal Trustees of Austin (now part of Emancipet), Open Door Preschools, and currently, Austin Symphony Orchestra.
“Every step of my journey, I had the tools to be a better volunteer or employee,” she said. “Being a member of The Junior League of Austin opened doors to new challenges and friendships.”
In 2020, Sustainer Jolsna Thomas, who formerly worked as an attorney, helped launch The Rosendin Foundation, the charitable arm of the electrical corporation Rosendin Holdings. This August, Thomas was selected as a finalist for Austin Business Journal’s 30th annual Women in Business Awards, which recognizes current and future leaders in the local economy.
letting moms get a few years of training before asking them to step up into leadership. Because of the leadership roles I held in JLA and experience I got there, I was ready to say ‘yes’ immediately to leading our YMSL Chapter and am now serving as First VP.”
Sustainer Nancy Nicolas dedicates most of her volunteer time and talent to her children’s schools’ parent-teacher associations. She is an officer and executive Board member at their elementary school PTA and is getting involved with her son’s middle school PTA this year.
“I have learned from JLA that successful volunteer leaders respect people’s boundaries and create opportunities that are realistic and align with their time and interests,” she said. “By identifying more tasks that could be performed at home, at flexible hours, and with improved communication channels, we have tapped into a broader volunteer network and meaningfully engaged more families at the school. My service in JLA has also shown me the importance of succession planning. And now each task I do is performed with documentation and succession in mind, so there is flexibility for future innovations and ideas but no loss of institutional knowledge as each year ends and a new one begins.”
“My Junior League training helped me to lead it and successfully launch programming, like our construction camp; expand our national reach through grant giving, even back to JLA; and plan national service days for local volunteer engagement,” said Thomas, who is the foundation’s President and Board Director.
In turn, The Rosendin Foundation has given several grants to JLA, including to support the Food In Tummies (FIT) program.
EVERY EFFORT COUNTS
The women described above are but a sample of JLA — which is, after all, the largest women’s service organization in Austin. Unmentioned are the thousands of members who serve the community in a multitude of ways.
“My volunteerism is not newsworthy,” said Sustainer Heather Wakefield. “But I have served in my church, my community charities, and my children’s schools for the past 20 years after learning to serve and give with the Junior League.”
In a world where it’s easy to be self-centered, anyone who goes out of her way to live and breathe JLA’s mission in all facets of her life is newsworthy to us. Wherever she goes and serves, she is the Junior League.
Jolsna Thomas, being recognized as part of Austin Business Journal’s Women in Business Awards for her work with The Rosendin Foundation
What is your advice to JLA members wanting to take the next step in advancing their community service?
Get ready to be asked to serve elsewhere in the community, because the collective experience you have from JLA fully prepares you to be a natural leader! Other people will see your ability and ask for you to serve and bring those skill sets over.
— Elizabeth McCormick, Children’s Events Co-Chair for A Christmas Affair®
Speak your mind. Advocate for yourself. Don’t be afraid to get out there, be your genuine self, and speak up.
— Sara Jane Cantwell, Sustainer
Take on leadership roles, even if they are out of your comfort zone, because it will be so rewarding and so beneficial.
— Elizabeth Hadley, Sustainer
Never be afraid to lean into the leadership qualities, strengths, and tools you have developed through your Junior League service to continue to serve. When you serve the community beyond the League, you are simultaneously advancing the mission and work of The Junior League of Austin.
— Marta Johnson, Sustainer
I’ve been asked to serve on a couple boards the past few years and was so nervous thinking I couldn’t do it. But once I got started, I realized, “Wow, I can’t believe how much I DO know,” all thanks to my time in the League!
— Courtney DeBower, Membership Development Council VP
Whatever drove you to be part of JLA, that same energy and compassion is needed out there in the community.
— Nancy Nicolas, Sustainer
Say “yes” to the things that make your heart happy.
— Rachel Pry, Coats for Kids Sustaining Advisor
Don’t hesitate to put your hand up or say “yes” to what may sound like a significant job. Your JLA training has prepared you. JLA leaders and volunteers are some of the very best in the community.
— Shannon Meroney, Sustainer
JLA Leader Recognized among ALJI’s
Inaugural
40 Under 40
By: Rebecca Teibloom
Earlier this year, The Association of Junior Leagues International (ALJI) announced its inaugural class of 40 Under 40, an initiative for celebrating Junior League members around the world who have made significant impacts on their professions and communities. The Junior League of Austin (JLA) member Lyndsay Kerr was among the women recognized for exemplifying the League’s spirit of empowerment, leadership, and community impact.
Kerr said. “In receiving this award, I was able to take the time to reflect on how so many members in JLA have had such great impacts on my life, my career, and how I lead.”
ELEVATE YOUR LEGACY WITH THE 1934 SOCIETY
The Junior League of Austin (JLA) has introduced the 1934 Society, a new initiative designed to sustain the organization’s mission through planned gifts. Joining the 1934 Society allows members to drive lasting change across JLA’s community initiatives. Whether through bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, or by naming JLA as a beneficiary in estate plans, strategic giving secures JLA’s future.
Photography
Applicants wrote two essays that demonstrated their work, how they lead and empower others, and how they positively impact the community. Kerr’s application was reviewed by members of JLA’s Membership Development Council before being selected as Austin’s official submission to ALJI.
Kerr said she was both shocked and grateful to receive an email from ALJI notifying her that she was chosen for the final 40 recipients.
“I recently had a medical emergency, and it has changed my life in so many ways, allowing me to have a greater perspective where I can take time to slow down and enjoy the present,”
As an active member of JLA since 2013, Kerr has had various leadership roles, including A Christmas Affair Merchant Co-Chair, Technology Chair, and Coats for Kids (CFK) Chair. Under her direction in 2023, CFK distributed over 30,000 coats to children in Central Texas. She is currently the Communications Treasurer and a member of the Nominating Committee.
In her professional life, Kerr is an IT Development Manager at General Motors. Her team works to centralize data from numerous disparate systems, which involves deploying analytics and artificial intelligence/ machine learning (AI/ML) at scale.
“I don’t believe I would have had the success I have had without JLA! I was so proud to represent all of you in receiving the award because when I look back on all the work that has been done, I think about all of you and the amazing impact that you made, too,” Kerr said.
Fill out the gift notification form to declare your commitment and ensure that your legacy has a permanent impact. The memorial directive form is also available to guide you in integrating JLA into your estate and financial planning.
To explore the profound impact of your legacy gift, visit JLA’s Ways to Give webpage or contact funddevelopmentvp@jlaustin.org.
Scan to join.
Lyndsay Kerr with husband Grant and son Carson.
Photo Credit: Pinkle Toes
IMPACT | Sponsors and Donors
The Junior League of Austin would like to thank the following Sponsors and Donors that have committed their support for us for the 2024–25 year.
Thank You to Our Donors & Sponsors
LEGACY PARTNERS
JACK BROWN CLEANERS
NYLE MAXWELL FAMILY OF DEALERSHIPS
BENEFACTOR PARTNER
THE HARRY E. AND EDA L. MONTANDON CHARITABLE TRUST
CHAMPION PARTNER
CHEVRON
GRAND PARTNERS
KVUE
BANK OF AMERICA
PRIMROSE SCHOOLS
ST. DAVID’S HEALTHCARE
H-E-B
COCA-COLA SOUTHWEST BEVERAGES
PATRON PARTNERS
HYDE PARK SCHOOLS
INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES FOUNDATION
BRANDYWINE REALTY TRUST
PROMINENCE HOMES
PRIMIZIE CATERING
SIGNATURE PARTNER
WESTBROOK METALS
TRIBUTE PARTNERS
CLAYTON, RAMIREZ & NULL
RIVERSIDE RESOURCES
FROST BANK
SPRINGHOUSE FOUNDATION
ABC HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES
AUSTIN WOMAN MAGAZINE
THE SMITH-MORGAN FAMILY
MAXWELL LOCKE & RITTER LLP
ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION TEXAS
DEVELOPER PARTNERS
BENOLD’S JEWELERS JUSTWORKS
ROARTY LAW FIRM, PLLC FASTSIGNS
MAHJ SOCIAL CLUB
TEXAS REGIONAL BANK
OVER THE TOP CAKE SUPPLIES
JILL KLUCHER
NANCY PRIDEAUX
GINNY MCCLOSKEY
Investing in JLA’s Lasting Impact through Annual Giving Circles
By: Rebecca Teibloom
This year, The Junior League of Austin’s (JLA) Fund Development Council introduced Annual Giving Circles, a program designed to use members’ collective financial power to enable JLA’s future plans and solidify its lasting impact as Austin’s largest women’s service organization. As the organization grows and evolves, contributions through the Annual Giving Circles will help ensure that JLA continues to be a local cornerstone for women’s leadership and community betterment. There are three tiers of Annual Giving Circles, and each tier’s donors will be recognized in JLA’s various media outlets and receive invitations to private events, among other benefits. At the foundational level, the Bluebonnet Circle, with a required contribution of $500, is intended for those beginning their philanthropy journey with JLA. Next, with an investment requirement of $1,500, is the Lone
Star Circle for those ready to make a more significant commitment to sustaining JLA’s ongoing programs and initiatives. At the pinnacle is the Capital Circle, for those who give at least $2,500, which will catalyze significant advancements in JLA’s mission and impact across Central Texas.
Scan to join.
Those JLA members interested in joining an Annual Giving Circle by making their online, tax-deductible gifts can sign up on Digital Cheetah. There are various payment plans available, including the option to make an annual or monthly contribution. For more information, contact Ashley Bias, Fund Development VP at funddevelopmentvp@jlaustin.org.
COMMUNITY | Community Projects and Signature Programs
The Junior League of Austin (JLA) provides volunteers and funding to area nonprofits for the benefit and enrichment of the Austin community and the development and education of League volunteers. To learn more about these projects and programs, please visit jlaustin.org.
COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Austin Creative Reuse
Austin Humane Society
The Austin Symphony Orchestra
Austin Zoo and Animal Sanctuary
Ballet Austin
BookSpring
Con Mi MADRE
Dress for Success Austin
Foster Angels of Central Texas
Foundation Communities
Girls Empowerment Network
Mothers’ Milk Bank at Austin
Pop-Up Birthday
Ronald McDonald House of Central Texas
Sunday Lunchbox
Sustainable Food Center
Texas Performing Arts
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
The Settlement Home for Children
Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter
Women’s Storybook Project
ZACH Theatre
2024–25 COMMUNITY ADVISORS
Brad Robb — Executive Director, Carl C. Anderson Sr. and Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation
Christopher Kennedy — Partner, Emmaus Projects
Edna Ramon Butts — Director of Intergovernmental Relations and Policy Oversight, Austin ISD
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS
Coats for Kids (CFK)—Our partnership with KVUE, iHeartRadio, and Jack Brown Cleaners helps to keep up to 30,000 Central Texas children warm each year.
Done-in-a-Day (DIAD)—A series of volunteer projects with dozens of partnering organizations allows our members to help out in 4-hour shifts during important events at other nonprofits.
Food In Tummies (FIT)—Through our annual Provisional member class project, our teams work together to pack and distribute bags of food for children in Del Valle Independent School District to take home each weekend.
Kids In Cool Shoes (KICS)—A pair of new shoes improves school attendance by 44%. With help of corporate sponsorships, our volunteers organize and distribute thousands of shoes to Central Texas students.
Language Learning—JLA offers language classes, with members using the skills they learn to complete community projects applying new language skills.
Nancy and Nyle Maxwell — Founders of Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships
Pam Benson-Owens — President and CEO of Edge of Your Seat Consulting and Executive Director of Six Square
Connecting the League and the Community
How a Project Chair Leads through Service
By: Rebecca Teibloom
Th roughout the year, Project Chairs for each of The Junior League of Austin (JLA) community partners serve as liaisons between those local nonprofits and the League. Under the direction of the Placement Chair, Project Chairs help community partners coordinate any necessary training and onboarding for JLA volunteers, encourage members to fulfill their service hours requirements on time, and ensure that the placement offers the duties and shifts described in the community placement portfolio.
“Project Chairs are the heartbeat of the Junior League experience, serving in the community. They set the tone for the year, bridging the gap between our members and the community agencies,” said Placement ChairElect Paige Thompson. “By fostering a sense of belonging and advocacy, they transform each community placement into a shared journey, uniting us all with purpose and passion.”
Tania Ruiz-Galindo transferred to JLA in 2014 after being in the League in London and San Francisco, and has been committed to community placements, serving as a Project Chair for three different organizations over the past decade.
“I really wanted to connect with the local Austin community and support our amazing community initiatives,” Ruiz-Galindo said. “These experiences
have allowed me to collaborate with incredible organizations and truly witness the positive impact we’re making in our Austin community.”
With placements that address JLA focus areas from arts education and animal welfare to poverty and self-sufficiency, Ruiz-Galindo’s leadership as a repeat Project Chair exemplifies the range of leadership opportunities for JLA members both in the League and in the community.
“Participating in these community placements has allowed me to broaden my perspective, develop invaluable leadership skills, and cultivate a deep sense of gratitude for the work we do in the League,” she said. “Making a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities is a reward like no other, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities that our organization provides.”
ZACH SCOTT THEATRE
ZACH Theatre was Ruiz-Galindo’s first community placement in Austin. She volunteered as an usher for 2 years before returning to the placement as Project Chair this year. She said this placement allows her to combine her passion for the arts with community engagement.
“Through this placement, I have witnessed the transformative power of theater and how it can inspire and bring joy to individuals of all ages. In the midst of COVID and difficult
Tania Ruiz-Galindo volunteering at the Austin Humane Society’s Puppy Bowl adoption event
times of isolation, ZACH Theatre provided a sense of community to so many around Austin,” she said.
AUSTIN HUMANE SOCIETY
Last year, Ruiz-Galindo was Project Chair for the Austin Humane Society (AHS), where she volunteered with the animal shelter’s educational programs and community outreach events.
AHS is the only shelter in Austin that offers year-round programming for children through their Humane Heroes program. JLA volunteers like Ruiz-Galindo assist with event setup, children’s educational activities,
animal meet-and-greets, and more.
“Volunteering at adoption events around Austin and witnessing the joy on both the animals’ and adopters’ faces was truly heartwarming. I have to admit there were several times when I wanted to bring one of those adorable puppies home myself,” she said. “The love and compassion these animals receive from both AHS staff and the community is incredible.”
MOBILE LOAVES AND FISHES
Ruiz-Galindo’s first time serving as a Project Chair was for Mobile Loaves and Fishes, a social outreach ministry
that serves people experiencing homelessness. She was a volunteer on the St. John Neumann Truck Program MakeReady team, which prepares food, clothing, and other items distributed on the streets of Austin from the truck — 7 nights a week, 365 days a year.
“This placement provided me with an opportunity to help address the challenging issue of homelessness within our community,” she said. “It was eye-opening and humbling to see the incredible dedication of the Mobile Loaves and Fishes organization and to contribute to their efforts in creating lasting change for our homeless population.”
JLA Adds Three Community Projects to Roster
By: Andrea Rieck
By joining forces with new community partners Foundation Communities, Sunday Lunchbox, and the Austin Symphony Orchestra, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) is amplifying its impact across various sectors, from arts and education to financial stability and food insecurity. In addition to dedicated volunteers for the 2024–25 year, these organizations each received $5,000 in funding from JLA. These collaborations highlight the League’s commitment to addressing critical community needs and fostering meaningful connections through volunteerism.
This year, eight JLA members are supporting Foundations Communities’ innovative approach of empowering residents to achieve educational success, financial stability, and healthier lifestyles through their proven model of integrated support services.
Originally established as a local housing program for low-income families, Foundations Communities has since grown to manage more than 26 apartment communities in Austin. Their mission goes beyond providing affordable homes, offering free on-site support services tailored to families with children, veterans, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
More than 500 children attend Foundation Communities’ free after-school and summer learning programs at 11 onsite Learning Centers, where JLA volunteers assist with general classroom support, provide one-on-one and small-group academic tutoring in reading and math, and organize and implement supplementary student materials. Other volunteers provide mentoring to English as a Second Language (ESL) adult learners who need help with their language skills.
At Foundation Communities’ Healthy Food Pantry, JLA volunteers assist with the distribution of fresh, nutritious food to residents, as well as with setup, breakdown, and inventory of the pantry.
In the spring, JLA volunteers will provide low- and moderate-income families with free income tax preparation as part of Foundation Communities’ financial wellness services.
Through its partnership with Sunday Lunchbox, a local organization that emphasizes communitydriven solutions for providing nutritious meals to underserved communities, JLA expands its work toward making a meaningful impact on food insecurity in Austin.
have access to quality fruits and vegetables at their convenience. At the end of the logistical supply chain, JLA volunteers also prepare orders for families based on their selections.
PLACEMENT AT A GLANCE: BALLET AUSTIN
This year, seven JLA volunteers are supporting Sunday Lunchbox in various capacities. Volunteers sort and count fresh produce sourced from local farms and help create shelf-stable meals for families. These efforts ensure that recipients
In JLA’s tradition of partnering with performing arts organizations, 10 volunteers are supporting the Austin Symphony Orchestra (ASO) this year.
Some JLA volunteers assist with administrative responsibilities in the ASO office, supporting multiple departments with tasks like card writing, envelope stuffing, and more. Other volunteers assist with ASO’s events at the Long Center. In addition to setup and breakdown shifts to support ASO’s Masterwork Series, volunteers also provide support during evening concerts to enhance the patrons’ experience, such as taking photos at the photo booth, distributing member
Beyond these operational roles, JLA has also dedicated a volunteer to assist with onboarding new families. This personalized support is crucial in fostering a welcoming environment and ensuring that families feel supported and informed as they access Sunday Lunchbox’s services.
benefit packages, and checking in donors.
During the summer, JLA volunteers helped support Tuneful Tales, ASO’s partnership with the Austin Public Library that connects classical music with children’s literature. Each performance of Tuneful Tales features a children’s story narrated by an experienced storyteller and accompanied by a musical performance from one of ASO’s chamber ensembles. Working side by side with Women’s Symphony League volunteers, JLA members engaged with families and children at a music-themed arts and crafts table before and after each performance.
This year, 20 JLA members are providing support to Ballet Austin with guest services at events. Volunteers assist with ushering, greeting patrons, supporting the box office, as well as with setup and teardown of educational exhibits. They ensure a welcoming and engaging experience for attendees.
Amber Capps, who was Project Chair for Ballet Austin last year, shares her volunteering experiences.
Q: What appealed to you about volunteering with Ballet Austin?
A: I was a dancer growing up, and I work at an accounting firm, so volunteering at Ballet Austin was a good way to be a part of the fine arts community.
Q: What would surprise JLA members about this community placement?
A: You can tell they work so hard to create such beautiful shows. Everyone is involved. It’s not just the dancers, but there are so many behind-the-scenes people like Billie Bledsoe, the Operations Director, and Pei-San Brown, the Director of Education, who make sure everything is running smoothly.
A Shared History of Service
The Sisterhood of JLA and The Settlement Club
By: Rebecca Teibloom
United by a shared passion for the wellbeing of local children and a belief in the potential of empowered women, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) and The Settlement Club (The Club) have been intertwined throughout their histories and continue their partnership to this day.
In 1916, a dozen altruistic Austin women founded The Settlement Home (The Home) as a daycare for the children of working, impoverished mothers during World War I. The Home later evolved into an orphanage, owned and run by a volunteer group called The Settlement Club. By 1919, The Home served 30 children.
“In 1930, The Settlement Club was looking at how they could raise money. They saw The Junior League of Dallas and The Junior League of San Antonio, and they decided Austin really needed a Junior League,” said Paula Chaney, a JLA Sustainer who has been a member of The Settlement Club for 30 years and compiled a book on The Club’s history for the organization’s hundredth anniversary celebration.
The Settlement Club hosted socials and, in true Texas fashion, barbecues for members of The Junior League of San Antonio, who helped the Austin women petition the Association of Junior Leagues of America to start their own chapter.
“It was a big deal to get approved as an official Junior League,” said Gayle Vickers, a JLA Sustainer who joined The Club in 2017. “They courted everyone they could to get approved.”
After a 4-year process, JLA was officially founded in 1934 with the goal of helping children. One of JLA’s first community partners was, of course, The Settlement Home for Children. JLA’s first officers served concurrently as officers for The Settlement Club.
JLA received its first donation of $1,000 from The Settlement Club to begin its philanthropic efforts. In turn, JLA gifted that money back to The Club so The Home could hire its first paid social worker in 1936, Mildred Hilberg. Until that time, social work at The
A volunteer from The Junior League of Austin instructs the Glee Club at The Settlement Home in 1937.
Social worker Mildred Hilberg, whose salary was partially funded by JLA, poses with children at The Home.
The Junior League of Austin is officially founded by members of The Settlement Club.
1934
1916
The Settlement Home is founded by 12 Austin women, known as The Settlement Club.
The Settlement Home hires its first full-time Executive Director with funds from JLA.
1960
1936
The Home hires Austin’s first social worker using a donation of $1,000 from JLA.
Home had been entirely volunteerrun for 20 years.
Many early JLA members volunteered at The Settlement Home. They collected grocery contributions, worked in The Home’s medical clinic, mended clothing, led storytime and the Glee Club, tutored older children, visited with the children’s teachers, and drove residents to medical appointments. The women also guided the work of The Home’s committees: house and grounds, clothing, and casework. Every weekday of 1935, a JLA member was on “motor corps duty,” for which she drove around town to complete daily errands for The Home. News sheets distributed at monthly JLA meetings often included updates about the comings and goings of The Home.
In 1960, The Junior League of Austin helped provide funds for The Settlement Home to hire its first full-time Executive Director. In 1999, JLA gave $100,000 as a founder’s gift to The Club, kicking off a capital campaign to help double the size of The Home’s campus on Payton Gin Road.
JLA gives $100,000 to The Settlement Club as a founder’s gift to help expand The Home’s campus.
1999
1973
Two new signature fundraisers: JLA hosts its first A Christmas Affair® and The Club hosts its first Garage Sale.
Today, The Settlement Home provides a continuum of care to youth, young adults, and their families with a history of abuse and neglect.
“It’s incredible to see the difference you’re making,” said Chaney, who currently leads The Club’s Hope for Tomorrow committee, which provides funding to young women who have aged out of the foster care system and are continuing their education. “At both the League and The Settlement Home, you can see the outcome and the results with the kids that we help. That’s huge to me.”
A number of JLA members, especially Sustainers, have become involved in The Club, which consists of more than 450 women.
“There are a ton of former JLA Board members involved in The Settlement Club now,” said KaLyn Laney, who was JLA President in 2007–2008. She has been a member of The Settlement Club since 2009. “There is a quorum of JLA Sustainers at any Club meeting.”
Among them are JLA leaders like
2011
JLA begins its ongoing community partnership with The Settlement Home’s Run Club.
DID YOU KNOW?
On January 4, 1935, The Settlement Home celebrated its first wedding on site. Former resident Ruby Algueseva — who first moved to The Home when she was 3 years old — married Dan Harper in the living room of a building on campus. Algueseva said she would like to be married at The Settlement Home because it was the only home she’d ever known, and her groom said, “it suited me fine.” Several members of The Settlement Club were in attendance, and they gifted the newlyweds a 26-piece set of silver, with JLA members gifting extra pieces.
Skeet Sharp, a 1933 charter member of JLA, was invited by Settlement Home volunteers and helped petition the Association of Junior Leagues of America for official League membership.
FROM THE JLA ARCHIVE: NEWS FROM THE HOME
JLA included updates about The Settlement Home in their monthly news sheet. Below are some fun excerpts.
April 1936: Did you know that Miss Hilberg has a nice new car now? She has learned to get around in Austin and in Travis County better than some of us who have been here for years. And remembers names! Gracious me, it’s remarkable! Maybe that too was part of her training. Anyway, we know now that we have found a real treasure in Miss Mildred Hilberg.
May 1937: Twenty-three children from The Settlement Home enjoyed an afternoon of free swimming as guests of the city at Barton’s Springs on April 23 and remained at Zilker Park for a very delightful summer picnic after the swim. Hilda McElhenney*, Mary Lee Jones, and Miss Hilberg accompanied the children on their holiday.
* Editor’s note: McElhenney was president of JLA in 1942–44.
October 1938: In the absence of Settlement Club and Junior League Board meetings this summer, the children have been carrying on what they call “Boardin’ Lady Meetings.” We have had excellent impersonations of every committee member who has ever attended The Home as well as the director of social work. Meetings have been carried on with much dignity, with a possible lapse of parliamentary procedure in certain instances.
MariBen Ramsey, a past President of JLA and former Board Member of the Association of Junior Leagues International (ALJI); Casie Wenmohs, another past JLA President; and Libby Malone, a former Sustaining President and A Christmas Affair® (ACA) Chair.
“The League taught us to be leaders,” said Chaney, who is also a previous President of The Settlement Club. “It’s amazing how much The Club and the League are structured alike. We’ve worked hand in hand since the beginning and have always tried to help each other out.”
Like JLA’s A Christmas Affair®, The Club also has its biggest annual fundraiser, The Garage & Estate Sale, at Palmer Events Center every November. This year is the 49th anniversary of both signature fundraisers.
“The Sale is similar to ACA in that it’s completely volunteerrun. We also have a preview party that we sell tickets to,” said Laney, who was Garage Sale Chair in 2016 and Settlement Club President last year. “We pass out Giving for Living vouchers to our nonprofit partners, which are like JLA’s community projects, so they can give them to their clients to redeem for items at the Sale.”
In 2023, the Sale grossed nearly $1.5 million, with
At both the League and The Settlement Home, you can see the outcome and the results with the kids that we help. That’s huge to me.
— Paula Chaney
Members of The Junior League of Austin dressed as bar maids for a 1935 gala to raise money for The Settlement Home
almost 5,000 shoppers attending to browse 21 “departments” of donated goods, including artwork, clothing, furniture, and toys.
“I always loved ACA, so it was a natural fit for me to be a cashier at the Garage Sale,” Vickers said. “ And now [Paula, KaLyn, and I] are Sustaining Advisors for ACA together. We’ve been friends in the Junior League forever.”
Active JLA members can also volunteer at The Settlement Home as their community placement. Since 2011, JLA has partnered with The Home’s Run Club, which encourages residents to participate in community 5K runs throughout the year.
“We serve a population of foster youth who have undergone significant trauma during their childhoods, which puts them at risk for things like physical health issues, substance use, and a plethora of mental health issues. Regular physical activity can be a protective factor against some of these issues,” said Morgan Casey, Programs Support Supervisor on The Settlement Home’s staff. “Although it is challenging to get our kiddos to participate in regular physical activity, the JLA mentors help us to facilitate this.”
Run Club volunteers get to know the girls who live at The Home as they attend practices and races. Brandy Wuensch volunteered with the Run Club for 2 years of her League membership. She said the placement initially appealed to her as an opportunity to get back in the habit of running.
“What I found was a new passion to be a role model and a stable figure week after week for these girls who have had a troubled or imbalanced start to their lives,” Wuensch said. “The pride they feel when they received their medals was special to see because it was an accomplishment they achieved 100% on their own.”
Casey said that by showing up consistently and leading by example, JLA volunteers help residents to learn and grow. She was referring specifically to residents’ fitness journeys, but it’s clear that the women of The Junior League of Austin have shown up to help at The Home for decades, leaving an indelible mark on the organization and its legacy.
“I just love the relationship between JLA and The Settlement Club,” Vickers said.
As a community placement, JLA Active members provide mentorship to the young girls who participate in The Settlement Home Run Club.
JLA Sustainer Sidney Lock (on left) performed in a skit with other Settlement Club members at a Garage Sale Preview Party in the ‘80s at the now-defunct City Coliseum.
JLA Sustainer Cookie Ruiz helps sort clothing donations at The Settlement Club’s warehouse in preparation for their annual Garage Sale fundraiser.
Celebrating 15 Years of Nourishing Communities: The FIT Program
Changes since inception and goals for the future
By: Christi Eastham
For the past 15 years, the Food In Tummies (FIT) program has been a beacon of support for local families facing food insecurity. This program, born out of a partnership between Del Valle Independent School District (DVISD) and The Junior League of Austin (JLA), has evolved and expanded significantly since its inception in 2009.
FIT was established to address the significant food insecurity experienced by students in DVISD. At its launch, nearly 100% of the students at participating schools — initially Baty and Hillcrest Elementary Schools — were eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Recognizing the critical need to support these children beyond the school week, JLA began distributing backpacks filled with nutritious, kid-friendly foods every Friday during the school year through the FIT program.
THE FIT IMPACT: NUMBERS AND MILESTONES
Over the years, FIT has made an impressive impact. The program distributes around 950 bags per week, each costing about $5 to fill. The success of FIT is largely due
to the dedicated volunteers from JLA. Each Provisional member contributes 17 FIT volunteer hours, with around 200 Provisionals and 28–30 Actives participating in packing and distribution throughout the school year.
“Our League is very unique in that we have a lot of volunteer power, so the entire budget goes to the cost of food,” said Katherine Hodges, FIT Chair 2024–25.
The program is funded by revenue from JLA fundraisers A Christmas Affair® and Austin Entertains, along with grants and support from local sponsors such as Chevron, H-E-B, and Westbrook Metals. This investment in children’s well-being has funded approximately 450,000 bags packed over the course of 15 years.
Beyond addressing food insecurity, the FIT program engages students and families through educational opportunities like nutrition-focused pep rallies and parent cooking classes. FIT also provides seasonal support, such as distributing turkeys to 100 families each year for Thanksgiving and providing nutritious snacks during state standardized testing weeks for students.
FIT Chair Katherine Hodges (center) with assistant principal Kristen Gillespie and principal Joel Deborah at Baty Elementary for distribution of Thanksgiving turkeys
Provisional members staffed FIT’s 15-year celebration at the Community Impact Center, where guests helped pack gift bags of healthy snacks and school supplies for Del Valle ISD students.
Sorting food donations in the Community Impact Center ballroom during the COVID-19 pandemic
ADAPTING OVER THE YEARS
As it celebrates 15 years of making a difference, FIT continues to evolve, driven by a commitment to combating food insecurity and supporting the well-being of local families.
In 2019, JLA relocated its headquarters from its Parkcrest building to the newly constructed Community Impact Center (CIC), which allowed more designated space for food storage in the FIT pantry, where volunteers sort and pack the FIT backpacks.
“The CIC FIT pantry is a nice upgrade to our old space! It’s so open and has so much light coming in through the beautiful windows,” said Carolyn Ragsdale, who was FIT Chair-Elect the year of the move.
Moving to a larger building came with its own challenges to overcome, Ragsdale said. The FIT Committee realized that the CIC’s truck ramp wasn’t compatible with the food vendor truck, and volunteers had to navigate a longer route to the facility’s recycling bin.
The next year, in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, FIT’s role expanded beyond merely providing weekend meals. The program adapted to offer meal kits that families could use throughout the week, as well as basic cleaning supplies, reflecting a shift toward more comprehensive family support during a time of heightened need.
With the guidance of Jessica Spencer, Headquarters Chair in 2021–22, FIT pantry shifts were adapted to the larger CIC ballroom space. This pivot allowed members to follow social distancing protocols while packing more bags than before, as JLA provided FIT backpacks to every elementary and middle school in DVISD.
“So many people were able to safely band together to help with FIT and stay connected and feel like we had a purpose in those early pandemic days where things were really scary,” Spencer said. “I loved that we provided a service to our community but also a way to stay connected with our membership during an isolating time.”
LOOKING AHEAD: FUTURE GOALS AND STRATEGIC PLANNING
The FIT anniversary event on Sept. 28 was a celebration of both the past successes and the future direction of the program. Planned as a wellnessfocused gathering, the event included fitness demonstrations, mocktail making stations, and activities promoting mental health.
“We will continue to collaborate closely with Del Valle ISD to fulfill FIT’s core mission, even as we adjust FIT’s menus and programming to help keep kids excited about both nutrition and their studies,” said Natalie Thompson, FIT Chair-Elect for 2024–25.
JLA Strategic Planning Chair Jenna Courtney said that JLA will explore new and innovative ways to support kids and families in need.
“To sustain and expand the League’s community impact, JLA will continue to focus on understanding how best to support our neighbors and how to partner with other community leaders at Austin businesses and organizations to meet kids’ basic needs,” she said.
Provisional members at an educational FIT pep rally at Hillcrest Elementary
Broadening JLA’s Linguistic Horizons
Expanding the Language Learning Program
By: Andrea Rieck
Th e Junior League of Austin (JLA) has reimagined its longstanding Spanish Immersion Program into a comprehensive Language Learning Program. This initiative, overseen by the Training and Education Committee, is in direct response to member feedback and marks a strategic shift to meet the evolving needs of the Austin community.
The transformation of this program emphasizes members’ growing demand for more inclusive language education options, as reflected in last year’s responses to JLA’s Organizational SelfAssessment (OSA) survey. With the support of 2023–24 Community Council VP Shelley Davis, Leah Rama, former Spanish Immersion Coordinator, has been a key advocate for the program’s transformation.
The Language Learning Program plans to offer more language learning opportunities, including American Sign Language (ASL), which has been the most requested language choice. There will also be shorter terms and one-off classes available.
New diversity and inclusion initiatives highlight the program’s expanding goals. Events like a Mexic-Arte Museum tour and a course focused on travel to Spanish-speaking countries aim to enrich cultural appreciation while enhancing language proficiency.
“Our hope is through these changes, the Language Learning Program will be more accessible, more flexible, and more varied in its offerings, so that the League can have a more meaningful community impact,” Rama said.
Established as the Spanish Immersion Program more than a decade ago, this program continues to attract a dedicated cohort of learners. Weekly classes cater to JLA members as well as to friends of the League, fostering a community of language enthusiasts eager to connect and practice together.
Additionally, this program collaborates with other JLA committees by translating documents for League events, including Food In Tummies (FIT) and Coats for Kids (CFK). The Language Learning Program team also organizes social events for students to practice their language skills.
“The idea behind the Spanish Immersion Program was to equip our members to better serve and commune with Spanish speakers within the League, through community partners, and with the community at large,” Rama said. “I wondered if we could broaden this vision to be inclusive of other languages spoken in our community.”
“During the Traveling en Español event, participants delved into cultural insights and essential travel vocabulary for Spanish-speaking countries. Instructor Carolina Arriaga shared cultural tips for several countries and a Spanish travel vocabulary crash-course for those planning a trip,” said Amber Myers, this year’s Language Learning Coordinator.
JLA’s Language Learning Program stands poised to not only equip participants with language proficiency but also to celebrate the rich tapestry of cultures that define Austin. For more information on enrollment or volunteer opportunities, email languagelearning@jlaustin.org.
Leah Rama, Julia LaMarche, and Lydia Frazier with instructor Carolina Arriaga and her daughter, Giselle Suazo, at a Language Learning Program social last year
Scan for JLA Spanish Class interest form
Engaging with Sustainers in New Ways
By: Andrea Lofye
As Active members transition to Sustaining members, many are not aware of all the opportunities available to them at the next phase of their membership.
This year, a new Sustainer Engagement Committee, led by Sustainer Engagement Chair Caelyn Last, is working to expand awareness of current programs and create new experiences for Sustaining members.
Last leads a committee of eight Active members who focus on serving Sustainers in many ways. Additionally, the committee is seeking Sustainers to collaborate alongside Active Coordinator counterparts. This is a unique opportunity for Sustainers to move beyond an advisory role to actively shaping and implementing programming and activities.
“One of our goals is to bring everyone together,” said Last. “We know from survey results that our Sustainers are interested in interacting with both Active and Provisional members, so we are transitioning away from Sustaineronly shifts at several events. We will incorporate mixed shifts at our popular events, such as Food In Tummies (FIT) and Coats for Kids (CFK).”
The committee is also focusing on several other initiatives, such as Sustainer TLC (The League Cares), which celebrates Sustainers and recognizes their achievements. For example, six Sustaining members were recently named “Top Lawyers in
Sustainers attended a Sustainer 101 social event in September to connect with other members and learn what’s planned for the year ahead.
Austin” by Austin Monthly magazine and were in turn recognized by Sustainer TLC. When The Junior League of Austin (JLA) receives notice of a members’ passing, Sustainer TLC will send a condolence letter to the family recognizing her contributions to JLA and the local community.
To emphasize membership recognition, the Sustainer Engagement Committee created a Sustaining Advisor of the Year Award and highlights a monthly finalist for the Volunteer Extraordinaire Award. Both recipients will be officially unveiled in the spring.
The Sustainer Leadership Program, formerly the Sustainer Leadership Community Connections program, will train leaders to take on new challenges as board members or in leadership positions for nonprofit organizations. A dedicated committee member is overseeing the program and will work with members to write letters of recommendation based on JLA
volunteer service and leadership.
“Our Sustainers group is diverse, and we have a 40-plus year age span in membership,” said Last. “We are developing programs that bring education, training, service opportunities, and social events that appeal to all our members. We are working to set up monthly gatherings and calendars for the year. Our Sustaining President, Lyndsey Crawford, has worked closely with our committee and is helping to develop guidelines for gathering groups to help them achieve official recognition by JLA and ensure each group is receiving support.”
Sustainers have the opportunity to join a wide variety of new and existing social groups and communities.
For more than 30 years, the Playhouse Singers have provided weekly entertainment in assisted living and memory care homes. Similarly, Women in the Market is a longtime club for Sustaining members investing in the
stock market and is creating a second group to support its growing membership.
There are four Sustainer groups focused on gardening: Sustainer’s Garden Workshop, Steel Magnolias, CIC Beautification Club, and Fleur de League. Fleur de League has grown large enough to expand to a second group. The CIC Beautification Club care for the 10 acres JLA owns and is working to change the foliage to native plants. The group’s long-term plans include implementing walking tours for Community Impact Center (CIC) visitors.
Sauté Sisters is a group of Sustainers who prepare dinners at each other’s homes. Interest in Sauté Sisters has also grown
large enough to support a second group.
Following the Provisional members’ lead, the Sustainer Engagement Committee is also creating a Sustainer Map with each Sustainer’s address. This initiative will help members coordinate meetings with fellow Sustainers in their local areas and neighborhoods. Sustainers can contact the committee for assistance in using the mapping tool to create Sustainer events.
The Sustainer Engagement Committee is available at sustainerchair@jlaustin.org to connect Sustaining members with existing opportunities and to assist members in developing many more in the coming year.
Kathi Haralson is a former President of The Junior League of Austin (JLA) and the current Development Director & Executive Director of Pop-up Birthday. After 13 active JLA years, Haralson chose to continue making an impact in the Austin community by serving on several nonprofit boards, serving as a JLA Sustaining Advisor and working in the nonprofit world as a Development Director and Executive Director. She credits her nonprofit career success as a result of her JLA training.
“Each year I am proud to watch as a new League year, new League leadership, and new League volunteers work to make a difference in their own way in our community,” Haralson said. “I always love to think back as the current year wrestles with the same issues we were discussing and working on decades ago in different and similar ways.”
become active on many levels for the causes that are near and dear to her heart, advocating for and amplifying a variety of organizations over the years. After her time as President, she didn’t step away from serving JLA. She serves as a Sustaining committee member where and when needed each year. And you can often see her smiling face as you check into the various Sustainer events we have throughout the year.”
Haralson’s path was also filled with her own mentors who have taught her how to be a mentor to others.
“I had so many people I looked up to and honestly still do, but I will have to say that Beth Atherton made a huge impact on my life early on as the type of leader I would try and emulate when I had the chance to be in leadership.”
Her work both inside and outside of JLA inspired this honor.
“I see her in action on a regular basis, and she makes every donor, volunteer, board member, and case worker — really, anyone she engages with — feel heard and special,” Suzanne Brown said. “Kathi is always willing to
As for her advice for current and future members of JLA, Haralson hopes everyone will be open with opportunities that come their way.
“Don’t aspire to or feel that you deserve a certain placement — you might just be pleasantly surprised at the difference you make in something you haven’t even thought about doing,” she said.
Past Presidents of JLA |
Past Presidents
The Junior League of Austin
Gladys Greenlee Bowman+ 1933-1934
Ruth McCelvey Bremond+ 1934-1935
Mamie Ray Earnest+ 1935-1936
Julian Devereux Weeks+ 1936-1938
Margaret Ann Caldwell Scarbrough+ 1938-1940
Ina Williams Walker+ 1940-1942
Hilda Rudd McElhenney+ 1942-1944
Frances Coopwood Morgan+ 1944-1946
Mary Tucker Muse+ 1946-1947
Julia Matthews Perry Robinson+ 1947-1948
Virginia Nalle Page+ 1948-1949
Elizabeth Schneider Rogers+ 1949-1950
Mary Helen George Ammann+ 1950-1951
L. Ellen Steck Ross Carter+ 1951-1952
Eleanor Niggli Tyler+ 1952-1953
Frankie Gist Peterson+ 1953-1954
Eleanor Stayton Gammon+ 1954-1955
Mary Ireland Graves Dougherty+ 1955-1956
Mary Lee Wilson Crusemann+ 1956-1957
Hallie Groos Slaughter+ * 1957-1958
Elora Watt Smith+ 1958-1959
Sue Kone Drake+ 1959-1960
Beverly Nash Bell+* 1960-1961
Mary Lucile Wicker O’Brien+ 1961-1962
Elinor Willis Pittman+ 1962-1963
Marjorie Dodge Granger+ 1963-1964
Irene Hopkins Harwood+ 1964-1965
Alice Kleberg Reynolds Meyer+ 1965-1966
Nancy Price Bowman+ 1966-1967
Barbara Louise Davis Neff+ 1967-1968
Eugenia Betts Miller 1968-1969
Shelby Reed Hearon+ 1969-1970
Diane Hierholzer Finch Grant* 1970-1971
Marian Marley McCrummen+ 1971-1972
Alison Gray Kimberlin* 1972-1973
Josephine Klotz Roche 1973-1974
Josephine Drake McRee+ 1974-1975
Barbara Leonard Smith* 1975-1976
Margaret Craig Cowden 1976-1977
Susan Dean Stayton* 1977-1978
Susan Page Driver 1978-1979
Carolyn Kellam Curtis
Marilla Black King
Nancy Chapman Collins
Ann Johnston Dolce
Clare Ritchie Hudspeth
Regan Kimberlin Gammon
Mary Gideon Herman*
Elizabeth Snyder Malone
Pamela Pitzer Willeford
Cynthia Hendrick Kozmetsky
Christina Kazen Attal
Judith Allen Shelton 1990-1991
Elizabeth Walters Atherton^ 1991-1992
Melissa Owens Jackson 1992-1993
Paula Thompson Herd 1993-1994
Kristen Jones Holland 1994-1995
Cookie Gregory Ruiz 1995-1996
Hallie Powell Cardwell 1996-1997
Emily Heebner Baker 1997-1998
Nancy Cummins Prideaux 1998-1999
Nancy Schoenvogel Edsel 1999-2000
MariBen Ramsey*^ 2000-2001
Joan Granger Talley 2001-2002
Amy Johnson Dunham 2002-2003
Suzy Balagia 2003-2004
Diane Catalani Falkenberg 2004-2005
Laura Wolf 2005-2006
Beth Nance Smith 2006-2007
KaLyn Laney 2007-2008
Melissa Greenwood Morrow 2008-2009
Kathi Livingston Haralson 2009-2010
Sandy Segura Alcalá 2010-2011
Morgen Cesarano Hardin 2011-2012
Cathy Knapp McHorse 2012-2013
Kelly Breeden 2013-2014
Gregory Noack 2014-2015
Casie Kaluza Wenmohs 2015-2016
Sarah Moore Valenzuela 2016-2017
Julie Hall 2017-2018
Amy Hurt 2018-2019
Carrie Semple 2019-2020
Lyndsey Crawford 2020-2021
Tania Leskovar-Owens 2021-2022
Shannon Creekmur 2022-2023
Haley Gardiner 2023-2024
* Denotes additional service at the regional level
^ Denotes service on the AJLI Board of Directors
+ Deceased
1979-1980
1980-1981
1981-1982
1982-1983
1983-1984
1984-1985
1985-1986
1986-1987
1987-1988
1988-1989
1989-1990
Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, “It can’t be done.” — Eleanor Roosevelt, The Junior League of the City of New York
Lights, Camera, Take Action
The Curtain Rises on JLA’s Provisional Class of 2024
By: Andrea Rieck
This year, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) is celebrating a significant milestone with its largest Provisional class in over 5 years — with 236 new members. The buzz surrounding this achievement is not just about numbers; it reflects a deliberate shift in recruitment strategy that has redefined how the League engages with prospective members.
Reflecting on this transformative journey, 2023–24
Admissions Chair Danielle Treviño, a pivotal figure in the recruitment initiative, emphasized the importance of adaptability and inclusivity.
“As a League, we talk a lot about flexibility, but we needed to extend that same understanding to our incoming members,” she said. This shift paved the way for a series of strategic changes aimed at fostering a more accessible and engaging recruitment process.
Traditionally, JLA recruitment centered around a single open house in October and mandatory meetings in January. Last year, however, the approach underwent a proactive overhaul. Monthly recruitment events were introduced, blending standalone informational sessions with community-engaging activities such as Trunk-or-Treat and
Find the Good Day. These events not only provided diverse entry points for prospective members but also showcased the League’s commitment to community involvement from the outset.
As key architects of the new recruitment strategy, Treviño and former Membership Development Council VP Sarah Gutierrez introduced flexibility through personalized engagement. Recognizing that not everyone’s schedule aligns with structured events, they offered one-on-one or small group meetings, ensuring that every prospective member had an opportunity to connect with the League.
The introduction of rolling admissions was another pivotal change. This departure from the traditional application windows allowed interested individuals to apply immediately after attending any recruitment event, further streamlining the onboarding process and nurturing early connections within the Provisional class.
The impact of these changes is evident in the enthusiasm and diversity of this year’s Provisional members.
“Most Provisionals have joined JLA because they know the League will help them help others through our community partnerships with well-vetted, boots-on-ground community partners,” said Jenny Green Kujawa, Provisional Chair.
Provisional members volunteer at SAFE Alliance’s Touch A Truck event
The Moana Provisional group at a social at The Powder Room in downtown Austin
Admiration of the League’s commitment to community service and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully alongside like-minded women is a sentiment expressed by many of the Provisional members.
“I joined JLA for networking connections and community service. I am looking forward to finding my favorite places to serve the Austin community,” said Provisional Elizabeth Hansen, who learned about the Junior League growing up in Dallas and attended one of JLA’s virtual recruiting events. “I was extremely excited to see how welcoming JLA is to all Austinites.”
With this year’s Provisional theme of “Lights, Camera, Take Action!”, the Provisional class are exploring their roles through the lens of iconic films led by strong female characters like Moana, Steel Magnolias, Hidden Figures, and Selena
“My goal for our Provisional class is that they learn as much as they can about The Junior League of Austin, its impact on our city and surrounding communities, and develop relationships that will serve them as they serve others for the remainder of their League careers as well as later in life, when they take their experience and training out into the world beyond JLA,” Green Kujawa said.
As the curtains rise on this year’s Provisional class, they step onto a stage where they can shine as leaders, driven by their determination to take action and make a difference in Austin and beyond. The Junior League of Austin’s evolution in recruitment stands as a testament to its willingness to embrace change and reimagine possibilities.
TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO JOIN JLA
Exciting times are ahead for JLA, and we need your help to spread the word! If you know women who would be great members and might be interested, let them know how to join us. They can start by completing the membership interest form on our website. After submitting the form, they’ll receive an email with all the details on getting started and what to expect next.
Scan for new member interest form
As a reminder, JLA is a women’s training organization focused on leadership development. To be eligible, prospective members must be between 25 and 40 years old as of May 31 at the start of the League year in which they join.
Encourage them to attend our upcoming recruitment events. Your support in sharing these opportunities helps us grow and thrive!
The Miss Congeniality Provisional group at a social at Succulent Native
Partnering with Leadership Austin
Joining Service-Oriented Forces to Help Better the Community
By: Rekha Roarty
With similar mission-driven focuses, it seems only natural that two well-regarded local organizations like The Junior League of Austin (JLA) and Leadership Austin would partner together to create a better future for the community.
Since its founding in 1979, Leadership Austin has aimed to develop and connect community leaders. It strives to create a future where all people and communities improve Central Texas by encouraging its members to help solve problems impacting Austin.
“Both organizations have evolved over time, nimble in their approach to our community’s needs, ensuring they are meeting the moment at every turn,” said Leadership Austin’s Chief Development Officer, Missy Strittmatter, a JLA Sustainer.
“I know personally 17 JLA presidents that are Leadership Austin alumni and hundreds of Actives and Sustainers are alumni as well. Nine of the last 11 JLA Presidents have graduated from our Essential program,” Strittmatter said. “Both organizations are exceptional organizations to level up one’s leadership skills.”
Many JLA members learned about Leadership Austin through a program called Emerge, which offers leadership classes developed by Leadership Austin to League members. The
JLA members attending the first session of Leadership Austin’s Leadership Bootcamp, practicing having difficult conversations, on Sept. 30 at the Community Impact Center
program proved so popular that many members decided they wanted to be part of both organizations.
“Both groups are filled with passionate individuals dedicated to uplifting our community, so it makes perfect sense that the two would cross paths,” said Sustainer Melinda Boe, who is also part of the Leadership Austin Essential 2024–25 class.
“My journey with JLA has taught me so much about community service and collaboration,” she said. “I’m excited to bring those lessons to Leadership Austin, where I plan to actively engage in discussions and initiatives, promote inclusivity, and work together to tackle the challenges our community faces.”
Sofia Aranha, a JLA Active member and member of the Board of Directors for Leadership Austin, agrees.
“Both organizations have members who value civic engagement. I am
excited to see the partnerships between the organizations continue to flourish,” Aranha said. “Ultimately, both organizations are driving towards a better Austin. The work they are doing individually and together is contributing to a better Central Texas.”
Last year, Leadership Austin began hosting their graduations at JLA’s Community Impact Center. In exchange, Leadership Austin also offers a three-session Leadership Bootcamp for up to 50 JLA members. More than 130 JLA members applied this year. The sessions focus on critical skill sets that all leaders need: having difficult conversations, leading yourself to lead others, and developing a growth mindset.
The partnership only appears to be getting stronger as the impact from both organizations continues to help positively shape Austin.
C H R I STMAS IN
THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN A CHRISTMAS AFFAIR 2024
FAMILY OF DEALERSHIPS Presented by:
NYLE MAXWELL
A Floral Fete ^
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 20 7 – 10 P.M.
$150 PER GUEST TICKET REQUIRED
ATTIRE: Festive Austin Cocktail
EVENTS HOSTED AT PALMER EVENTS CENTER
Shop & Smell the Roses
THURSDAY, NOV. 21 9 A.M. – NOON
$75 PER GUEST TICKET REQUIRED
ATTIRE: Holiday Brunch
All I Want for Christmas is
Girls Night Out
THURSDAY, NOV. 21 7 – 10 P.M.
$75 PER GUEST TICKET REQUIRED
ATTIRE: Bright Floral Fun
Blooms
Children’s Santa
BREAKFAST & AFTERNOON
MORNING PARTIES
$38 PER GUEST TICKET REQUIRED
AFTERNOON PARTIES
$48 PER GUEST TICKET REQUIRED
HOLLY JOLLY PLAYTIME WITH SENSORY PLAY & STORY TIME
FRIDAY, NOV. 15 9:30 – 11:30 A.M.
FLORA & FAUNA WITH PETTING ZOO
SATURDAY, NOV. 16 9:30 – 11:30 A.M.
PETS & PETALS WITH PETTING ZOO
SUNDAY, NOV. 17 11 A.M. – 1 P.M.
MAGIC & MISTLETOE WITH PUPPET MAGIC SHOW
FRIDAY, NOV. 15 5 – 7 P.M.
DJ PJ FLOWER POWER GROOVE WITH SILENT DISCO
SATURDAY, NOV. 16 4 – 6 P.M. ALL CHILDREN’S EVENTS HOSTED AT: THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN’S COMMUNITY IMPACT CENTER NOV. 15 – 17
Market Days
THURSDAY, NOV. 21
Noon – 8 P.M.
FRIDAY, NOV. 22
9 A.M. – 7 P.M.
SATURDAY, NOV. 23
10 A.M. – 7 P.M.
ADMISSION
Tickets are required for the market, special events, and parties. Children 5 years and under may enter at no charge during regular market hours. Strollers and pull carts are not permitted inside Palmer Events Center.
SUNDAY, NOV. 24
10 A.M. – 4 P.M
Mahjong Tournament
Santa Paws Photos (at CIC)
Santa Photos
Floral & Plants Workshops
Candle Making & More!
Find more information and tickets at ACHRISTMASAFFAIR.COM
Packages available for presale online and during ACA Children’s Events at JLA’s Community Impact Center.
FRIDAY, NOV. 15
SATURDAY, NOV. 16
SUNDAY, NOV. 17
Charge Stately Apparel Taylor & Tessier Tahoe Kitchen Company Christmas Belle
Golf Erin’s Earrings Charlet Boutique Trumey Prissy Pants Ladybugs in My Garden
Beauty Way
Laura Elizabeth Jewelry
Lazy Jack Flower & Vine Blushing Belle
The Pretty Farmer
Thank you TO OUR ACA
2024 SPONSORS!
LEGACY PARTNER
NYLE MAXWELL FAMILY OF DEALERSHIPS
BENEFACTOR PARTNER
THE HARRY E. AND EDA L. MONTANDON CHARITABLE TRUST
CHAMPION PARTNER CHEVRON
GRAND PARTNERS
PRIMROSE SCHOOL OF PFLUGERVILLE
ST. DAVID’S HEALTHCARE
PATRON PARTNERS
BRANDYWINE REALTY TRUST
HYDE PARK SCHOOLS
INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES FOUNDATION
PROMINENCE HOMES
TRIBUTE PARTNERS
ABC HOME & COMMERCIAL SERVICES
CLAYTON, RAMIREZ & NULL
FROST BANK
PAIGE SMITH-MORGAN & FAMILY
RIVERSIDE RESOURCES
SPRINGHOUSE FOUNDATION
WESTBROOK METALS
DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS
BENOLD’S JEWELERS
JILL KLUCHER
NANCY PRIDEAUX
ROARTY LAW FIRM, PLLC
LEADERSHIP PARTNERS
JOSEPHINE GOODSON
PLUSH FABRIC HOME INTERIORS
CONTRIBUTER PARTNERS
AMANDA BECK FOSTER
BETSY KIRKSEY
COURTNEY AND ED DICKEY
CYNTHIA KOZMETSKY
DANA FISHER
DEALEY & DAVID HERNDON
LESLIE MOORE
STACEY MOORE THE SHERILL FAMILY FOUNDATION
SUPPORTERS
CAROLYN WADDLE-FORD
GEORGINE PEACOCK
HEATHER PATE
KAREN FREUND
KATE WINTEMITZ JEWELRY
KERI BELLACOSA WALLING
LINDA MAY
LONE STAR LEGACIES
SOY AUSTIN THE TREASURED ACCESSORY
FRIENDS
BRENDA GRANDS DESIGN
FIBRES OF LIFE
JAMIE WOLTER
KIM NEARBURG
MELISSA JACKSON
PECOS OUTDOOR
ROSEMARY WYNN WITH UNIQUE ADVENTURE VACATIONS
ULTIMATE OUTDOOR MOVIES & ENTERTAINMENTS
VIBE
WIPSTITCH NEEDLEWORKS
WYNNELL NOELKE
Finding the Good with Leagues around the World
On Sept. 19, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) participated in the third annual Find the Good Day, an international day created by the Association of Junior Leagues International (ALJI) “to celebrate the good in and all around us.” Junior Leagues around the world were encouraged to organize communi-
ty events in observation of the day.
JLA hosted a 12-hour day of service, with volunteer opportunities for members at JLA community partners Austin Humane Society, BookSpring, and Austin Creative Reuse, among other local nonprofits. The day concluded with a shopping celebration at Kendra Scott with custom selected JLA jewelry, champagne, and light bites.
The Austin-based jewelry brand Kendra Scott partnered with JLA to gift back 20% on purchases.
Helping Keep Austin Beautiful clean up litter on Red Bud Isle
Helping with Central Texas Food Bank’s Mobile Pantry distribution
JLA volunteers helped Austin Humane Society set up for Unleash Hope, a celebratory cocktail party.
Sorting and labeling children’s book donations at BookSpring
Beautifying the Community Impact Center’s Oak Lawn
