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Junior League
of Buffalo History
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| In 1901 Mary Harriman and 80 of her peers committed
themselves to community work in the settlement houses far from the
confines of their sheltered New York City neighborhood. In 2001, nearly
200,000 women and 296 communities around the world are celebrating 100
years of Junior League Service. With a century of family literacy, senior
citizen care, battered women's shelters, affordable day care, AIDS
education, pregnancy prevention and multicultural awareness to their
credit, the Junior Leagues have much to celebrate.
At the turn of the century, the Junior League was established "to foster among its members the inters in undertaking for the betterment of the social, economic and educational conditions." This idea - that a group of women could be a powerful force for change - has resonated throughout this century. The original Junior League blossomed into a growing movement of trained volunteers improving their communities through direct service, education, advocacy, fundraising and sheer hard work! As an international movement, the Junior League has contributed collectively to the public welfare and well being of our whole society. Aspects of our social, cultural, and political fabric that we take for granted - free school lunches, children's theatre and museums, domestic violence awareness, volunteer bureaus, quality TV programming for children - are among the programs that had their genesis with the Junior League. Today Leagues work with babies with HIV, abused children and the homeless and serve as mentors to young women and girls. They found and staff childcare centers, fund breast cancer research and help protect the environment. In short, the Junior League can be credited with implementing change and improving conditions in almost every sector. In recognition of decades of these sustained contributions, in 1989, the Association of Junior Leagues International was presented with the prestigious U.S. President's Volunteer Action Award and in 2001 received a Points of Light Award from the Points of Light Foundation. The past 100 years brought unprecedented change for women. The Junior League began before women could vote, yet it has remained a vital and relevant organization by both changing with the times and remaining dedicated to leadership and service. The nearly 200,000 women in 296 Leagues are from all races, religions, ethnic background and more than half of them work outside the home in a broad range of professional capacities. The Junior League today is not only celebrating one hundred years of service, they are poised for the next century and beyond. |
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