A Legacy Built on Love

By: Anna-Bryce Hobson

In its 95 years, the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) has been many things to its members. It has been a place where women can come to volunteer their time. It has been a place of solitude where members can gather after a long day to socialize and feel supported. Members have come together to support a common good or to lift up a fellow member in need. Many lifelong friendships, sisterhoods and business relationships have been forged during hours spent at the JLC building and in community placements. And, on some rare occasions, JLC members have even had the good fortune of serving alongside their grandmothers, sisters, daughters, mothers and aunts. Indeed, one of the greatest blessings of having a 95-year-long history is that generations of families have had the opportunity to be League members – passing down shared experiences, memories and traditions from one generation to the next. By “passing-the-baton” of service onto those that come after them, JLC members are building a legacy built on family ties, and more importantly, a legacy built on love. One such family is the dynamic duo of Mary Tinkey and her daughter Lauren Tinkey.

Two “Lifetime” Members

Mary Tinkey has been a member of the Junior League for the better part of 20 years. Upon relocating to Charlotte in 1993, Mary almost immediately joined the JLC in hopes of finding community, friendship and volunteer opportunities. She knew very little about the city of Charlotte and thought that the JLC would introduce her to her new home. Today, Mary is what many of us think of as a “lifetime” member who has worn many hats within our beloved League. She has served on the Fund Development Council, Human Resources Council, the WearHouse committee and LeaguePrint committee. She was League president in 2005 and is now an active Sustainer. In addition to serving the JLC, Mary also managed to juggle her work and then, ultimately, raise three children. It is no wonder that Mary’s two worlds, mother and League member, often overlapped. Mary recounts hours spent printing invitation and announcement orders during her time on LeaguePrint; she would be packaging materials and feeding her baby at the same time. Some might call this multitasking at its finest! Mary says the League has given her the perfect place to challenge herself, personally and professionally. In taking on finance positions, Mary was outside of her comfort zone. The JLC gave her a safe haven to grow her own financial acumen. Personally, Mary was able to continue her love for service without sacrificing her time with her kids. Unbeknownst to Mary, she was raising servant-leaders through living a life of service – bringing her children to the League office, volunteering the entire families’ time at service events and making service a lifestyle rather than an obligation.

While Mary’s daughter, Lauren is in her Provisional year with the JLC “on paper,” she is no stranger to the League. Lauren, too, is a “lifetime” member in her own right. Lauren and her siblings spent many days during their childhood at the JLC building, playing games, doing arts and crafts and watching as their mother gave of her time and talents. Over the years, Lauren had many opportunities to volunteer alongside her mom. She met her mom’s JLC friends, heard stories about committee obligations and watched as Mary

Mary (left) and Lauren (right)

took on the all-important role of President in 2005. Of course, one of the mother-daughter pair’s favorite memories is a speech Lauren gave at a dinner celebrating the League year and her mother’s service as President. Lauren was 11 and, by her own account, not one to stand up and give speeches. Neither Mary nor Lauren can quite put their finger on what motivated Lauren to speak – but speak she did. Lauren admits she was nervous but overcome with pride in all that she had watched her mom accomplish during her year as President. In truth, although Lauren was young, she was already learning the importance of voluntarism and leadership from her mom. Lauren notes that her mom’s involvement in the League motivated her to join the JLC. Like Mary, Lauren also wears many hats. Not only is Lauren a registered dietitian and nutritionist, but she also works for Windy O’Connor at her space at Camp North End.

Lauren is very impressed with how the JLC navigated this past year in the “COVID-era.” Despite Lauren’s Provisional year being anything but normal, she has made the most of it. She’s still had the chance to get involved with her small group, and she got the opportunity to serve with her mom back in the fall as they packaged meals for families at Reid Park Elementary. One other perk of joining the League has been Lauren’s ability to form her own relationships with her mom’s friends. Having heard many of their names and meeting them as “Mary’s daughter,” Lauren says it has been a lot of fun to reintroduce herself as a fellow League member and form her own friendship with them. Lauren is happy the JLC building is back open. After all, it was practically her second “home” growing up!

We Are Family

According to Mary, the JLC has given so much more to her family than she could ever have imagined back in 1993. It has given her lifelong friendships. In fact, it was a JLC connection that ultimately led Mary to her current job as events coordinator at Camp Blue Skies, a 501(c) (3) dedicated to providing recreational and social opportunities to adults with developmental disabilities. JLC members have even helped Mary’s children with job interviews and applications. Mary and Lauren’s story is just one of the many testaments to how the JLC has allowed generations of families to serve alongside one another and, in turn, be served by this organization.

The JLC allows members to not only grow themselves through service, but also grow their relationships with loved ones – related or otherwise. The hours spent serving together are indeed the catalyst to some of the most precious memories many League members share with friends, colleagues and “soul sisters” in the League. In reality, the Tinkey’s story showcases that JLC members are all part of a larger family: a multi-racial, multi-generational, multilingual family of women. The League is comprised of women with different talents, strengths, backgrounds, upbringings and stories. It is a family built on shared experiences and a shared vision for a better community. And, with each new member who joins the JLC (or is born into the League like Lauren), the League family grows in numbers and its legacy lives on in the hearts and homes of people all over Charlotte.