More Than One Century of Service

Since its inception in 1914, the Junior League of Detroit has made its mark on the city of Detroit’s people and culture. For more than one hundred years, JLD members have committed themselves to identifying challenges, developing strategies, and pro-actively putting solutions into place that make change happen. They have responded to a changing and dynamic city throughout the decades and have answered the many needs of its people. The Designers’ Show House is a major part of this process, raising the necessary dollars that allows the JLD to make an impact on the community. Thank you for supporting the JLD and join us as we prepare for another one hundred years of service. The Beginning Detroit in 1914 was booming. Ford Motor Company’s assembly line and the announcement of a $5, 8-hour day were revolutionary and a looming World War I created a new awareness of the importance of women in the workforce and society. Just a few years later, in 1919, women would earn the right to vote. It was into this exciting and turbulent time that the Junior League of Detroit was born. Fortyseven women joined forces in 1914 to found the JLD, led by our first president, Mrs. Paul Weadock. The JLD’s first project reflected the changing times for Detroit’s working women. In 1915, the JLD established a lunchroom for working girls on Woodward Avenue between John R and Grand Circus Park. The lunchroom provided nutritious and economical meals as well as a place where working women could relax, talk and be secure. Lunch cost 6 cents. Since that first project, JLD members have always strived to identify areas and communities with under served needs and to match their skills and energies with projects and programs that can fill those needs and answer the unanswered

More than one CenturyCELEBRATING 100YEARS OF SERVICE of Service Ø 1978: Secured the Apollo Command Module Emergency Egress Trainer for the Detroit Science Center, on permanent loan from the Smithsonian Ø 1982: Partnered on the Hospice Awareness Project, including the award winning video “Hospice: A Shared Experience” Ø 1989: Developed a Parent Training Program and published a Parenting Skills Manual in support of the Focus Hope Center for Children Ø 1994: Established a Pediatric Mobile Team with Children’s Hospital of MichiganJLD Braille Training 1929 Since the mid-1990s, the JLD has chosen to dedicate its financial and volunteer resources to questions. There have been many highlights specifically focus on the children of Detroit and throughout the past 100 plus years, including: their families. Projects following that refocus Ø 1922: Founded the Detroit League included sponsoring and mentoring a classroom for the Handicapped – now called of children at Cornerstone Schools and the Adult Well-Being Services establishment of the new Learning Center at the Monteith Branch of the Detroit Public Library.Ø 1930: Opened the Training Cottage for the Blind in partnership with Helen Keller In the past several years, the JLD’s membership has concentrated their efforts on the basic needs of Ø 1948: Established Pioneer House, a home Detroit’s children and their families, with a special for emotionally disturbed children emphasis on nutrition and health. Project EAT Ø 1964: Opened the Poison Control Project provides and supports healthy eating opportunities in partnership with the Detroit Children’s for the children of Detroit and their families. Hospital. The project received the National Safety Council’s highest award in 1965 Ø 1971: Developed Operation LINC (Linking Individuals to Needs in the Community), with the purpose of linking inner-city groups in need of help with organizations that could provide assistance. In 1978, LINC became a successful and independent agency Ø 1977-1981: Assisted and funded several significant projects on Belle Isle, including the opening of the Nature Center, the Belle Isle Playscape, and the construction of a sensory nature trail JLD Pediatric Mobil TeamDr. Tessa Holtrop 1995