The CRIER Spring 2017

SPRING 2017

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE

#butterflytribe

LIGHTS! CAMERA! FASHION! | EMPOWHERMENT | CHARLOTTE SPEECH AND HEARING CENTER

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Named by Working Mother/Flex-Time Lawyers as one of the “50 Best Law Firms for Women,” we also champion the causes and careers of our women attorneys, like litigation attorney Jodie Herrmann Lawson and corporate attorney Stephanie Briggs Evans, who provide pro bono legal services to The Junior League of Charlotte.

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The CRIER | Spring 2017

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Letter from the President

Sustaining Membership

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General Membership Meeting

Legacy Society

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Welcome Provisionals!

Photos, Photos, Photos!

From the Archives

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Lights!

Camera!

Fashion!

EmpowHERment

Visit our website to learn more about our programs and activities at: www.jlcharlotte.org Considering joining our membership.

Contact: MDC@jlcharlotte.org

Meet our Newest Staff

Become a corporate sponsor or make a tax-deductible donation of in-kind gifts or services.

Contact Lynn Nielsen at: lynn.nielsen@jlcharlotte.org

Apply to be a Community Partner with the JLC. Visit www.jlcharlotte.org/?nd=community_partners

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School’s IN for Summer!”

Junior League of Charlotte – The CRIER 4.5” x 7.25” 4c

School’s IN for Summer!

Nearly 200 programs from June 5–August 4

play. learn. create.

REGISTER TODAY!

Information and registration at www.ProvidenceDay.org/SummerPrograms

The CRIER | Spring 2017

The CRIER Staff

League Staff

The CRIER

EDITOR Morgan Cooper ASSISTANT EDITOR Shemeka Johnson PHOTOGRAPHY MANAGER/REPORTER Leslie Coons PRODUCTION MANAGER/REPORTER Kimberly Goodman AD SALES MANAGER Tricia Magee COPY EDITORS/REPORTERS Claire Magee REPORTERS Alyssa Bowker, Meghan Pawley, Jennifer Plaster, Temple Ruff, Annie Williams

COMMUNICATIONS & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Lynn Nielsen MEMBERSHIP SERVICES MANAGER Meghan Ginzer CONTROLLER Perry Blickenstaff

is published by the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. No reproductions in any form are allowed without written permission.

Board of Directors

Management Team

PRESIDENT Shannon L. Vandiver PRESIDENT-ELECT Arina Kirk CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Beth Gregg NOMINATING CHAIR Malone Lockaby SECRETARY Caitlin Helgeson SUSTAINING ADVISOR Beverly Kothe MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Kimberly Best-Staton, Susan Branch, Tonya Bruce, Christina Gratrix, Destiny Jenkins, Helen King, Kellie Lofton, Molly Ward

PRESIDENT-ELECT Arina Kirk HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Jessica Walker COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Mary Boulware COMMUNITY IMPACT MANAGER Jamie Mills EDUCATION, TRAINING & ADVOCACY MANAGER Ashley Soublet FUND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Kate Stewart VP OF FINANCE Kamila McDonnough RISK MANAGER Tricia Magee NOMINATING VICE CHAIR Charlitta Hatch SUSTAINING ADVISOR Katherine Fuller SECRETARY Emily Reichs WEARHOUSE CHAIR Jacquie Baker

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CHARLOTTE, INC. 1332 Maryland Avenue Charlotte, NC 28209 (704)375-5993 info@jlcharlotte.org jlcharlotte.org

To advertise in The CRIER, please call the Junior League of Charlotte at (704) 375-5993 or e-mail TheCrier@jlcharlotte.org.

JLC CONNECTED: @JLCharlotte Junior League of Charlotte @JL_Charlotte JLCharlotte.org

MISSION STATEMENT The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, to developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

The CRIER is available in digital format where readers can access it from desktop and mobile devices, even when on the go, on the digital platform ISSUU.

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FROM the PRESIDENT #butterflytribe In a year where we are celebrating all the ways in which the JLC transforms our community, transforms our members and is transforming its business models to best serve its mission and members, there seemed nothing more fitting than the image of the butterfly, nor anything more descriptive of our members than the greatest of girl tribes. Thus, the #butterflytribe.

Transforming our Community: The butterfly effect.

The JLC’s 90 year legacy of transforming the community means that through the organizations, institutions, programs and services we have founded and supported since 1926, like the “butterfly effect,” we have created a ripple of lasting change across Charlotte. Ours is a legacy built not just on the $13.5 million dollars we have dedicated to this community since 1926 but also on the value of the over 1.5 million volunteer hours we have poured into it, creating arts and science museums, health care facilities, human service and advocacy organizations, community resource and other centers, just to name a few. This League year we will provide over $200,000 worth of volunteer time directly to the community and over $600,000 worth of volunteer time League-wide in the 50 placements that are dedicated to our mission and to running our League. Our legacy of transforming the community continued this fall as we provided over 200 kids with physicals and dental, visual and hearing screenings and gave over 1,300 shots to almost 500 kids from more than 70 area schools, all to keep kids healthy and in school; at Chameleon’s Journey where members transformed the grief experience for over 100 campers; and in February when more than 70 kids received desperately needed free dental care through Give Kids a Smile. All year long we will transform the community through access to and lessons about healthy food with the Second Harvest Food Bank Committee, Kids in the Kitchen and AdaCooks; through special events for the residents at Alexander Youth Network; through mentoring and empowering girls with Circle de Luz and EmpowHERment; through providing art therapy to pediatric patients at Novant Health’s Hemby Children’s Hospital; through book parties with Promising Pages; and through numerous other special projects with the Done in a Day volunteers and with the students and families at Reid Park Academy. This year we will also transform our community by advocating and raising awareness on the member-selected advocacy issue of foster care children and human trafficking and we will chart the course for how we transform the community in the future through researching the JLC’s next Focus Area, set to begin in 2018.

Transforming our Members: How does one become a butterfly? ...You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar. – Trina Paulus Just as rich as our history of transforming the community is our legacy of transforming our own members and we are excited to share that transformation journey with the over 200 provisionals who have joined us this year. Our members report that their Junior League experience and leadership training has, among other things: assisted with their overall personal and professional growth; built confidence to obtain a new role or start a new career; equipped them to start their own business or non-profit; empowered them and given them the confidence to be a leader in their civic and professional endeavors; taught them communication skills,

teamwork, networking, delegation and conflict management; taught them how to effectively manage people, projects, events and deadlines and how to motivate others towards a common goal; built their financial acumen; taught them how to fundraise; given them the resources to maximize their community impact and much, much more. One JLC member summed it up as, she has been “equipped to take any challenge . . . thanks to the confidence JLC leadership training has instilled within [her].” For our members, giving up being the caterpillar has resulted in the beauty of a legion of butterfly leaders, taking flight in our community.

Transforming our League: If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. - Anonymous In addition to our ongoing legacies of transforming our community and transforming our members, this year we are also transforming League business models to position the JLC for lasting success. Embracing the need to respond to changing financial and management environments, JLC leadership is busy transforming challenges into opportunities. You will see those opportunities at the JLC WearHouse, where a task force has been dedicated to exploring the re-purposing of the thrift store model; at our headquarters where the staffing model was restructured to most efficiently and effectively manage operations, while also meeting our mission, the needs of our members and the community; in our fundraising models as we research new platforms for active and sustainer engagement, attract additional corporate partnerships and expand revenue streams associated with the use of our beautiful headquarters space; and in our new dues formulas for 2017-2018 that will allow us to fully cover JLC operational expenses through member dues, enabling every fundraised dollar to go directly to our tri-part mission.

Like a Butterfly, I have been Reborn / with Bold Colors and Strong Wings / - Jonathan Lockwood Huie The JLC has been a transformational power in the life of our community and the evidence of our bold colors and strong wings can be seen throughout Charlotte and also in the life of our own members who have learned, grown, developed and led through, with and because of their JLC experience. The beautiful butterfly icon is a symbol of the change we create and the difference we continue to make. At many of the biggest moments in the life of my JLC journey, I have also had the “butterflies in my stomach” feeling. From walking into the JLC for the first time, to accepting an Emmy® award on behalf of our League, to taking on leadership positions - culminating in the great privilege of serving this League and its members as President, that butterflies in your stomach feeling has always been a good thing. It’s a signal that you care deeply about something, that there’s something about which you have so much passion it makes you nervous and excited all at the same time. That poignantly describes the love and dedication of our JLC leadership teams, whose passion to transform the community, our members, and our League has been bold, strong and steadfast. How do you transform the community and a League of over 1900 members? 90 years of an amazing #butterflytribe!

All My Best,

Shannon L. Vandiver 2016-2017 President | The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc.

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Members of the 2016-2017 Board of Directors, Management Team and Nominating Committee

2017 Past Presidents Luncheon

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Building Our Future!

Provisional Class of 2016-2017

By Whitney Smith, Reporter What an exciting time to be part of the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (“JLC”)! Our 2016 Provisional Class is one of the largest classes ever with over 200 women. It is great to see such incredible interest in the JLC. Members of the 2016 Provisional Class span across all areas of Charlotte including Uptown, Dilworth, Myers Park, Cotswold, Plaza Midwood, Noda, Southpark, Ballantyne, Matthews, Lake Norman, Huntersville and Cornelius with even some from South Carolina and other surrounding areas. This

amazing group of women comes from a variety of backgrounds and occupations. According to Sarah Peerson, Chair of Membership Development, “We have many businesswomen, students, a few doctors, dentists, attorneys, stay-at-home moms and we even have a meteorologist. The class really varies in age from ladies who just graduated college to, I believe, a grandmother or two. We have many moms and soon to be moms. We have a very diverse class by occupation, age and residential location.”

Not only does the incredible diversity within the class make this an exciting year for the Provisionals, but the curriculum and activities for these women are second to none. The year includes a number of opportunities to learn about the JLC and the city we serve and also includes a number of social activities where the women have a chance to have fun and to get to know each other better. The year began with a Provisional kickoff in July which was held at Kandy Bar in the Epicenter Uptown.

“We have all really worked so well together as a group and we’re off to a great start this year. I imagine it’s only going to get better!”

– Sarah Peerson, JLC Membership Development Committee Chair

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One of the most exciting parts of the Provisional year is a community bus tour around our beautiful city.

Genie Hufham, one of our Sustainers, is owner of the Charlotte Crown Guides; she provides the tour for the Provisionals around Charlotte where they learn about the city’s history as well as the impact the JLC has had on the city. They visit sites important to the JLC, including Fourth Ward, the Duke Mansion, Charlotte Nature Museum, and the Family Resource Center at Levine Children’s Hospital. These tours take place twice a year to ensure all Provisionals have the opportunity to attend. Thank you, Genie!

In addition to these amazing opportunities to learn about the JLC and the city of Charlotte, these women have a number of opportunities to get together socially as a whole and as smaller groups.

The October event was a pumpkin decorating party.

This was a fun social event and certainly got the ladies in the holiday spirit. In November, they held a Friendsgiving, with a potluck dinner and lots of holiday cheer.

The Provisionals were asked why they were interested in joining the JLC. As one can imagine, the reasons women are joining the Junior League are as diverse as their backgrounds and experience. Many of the women talked about how they were excited to meet so many new people and how they like that the Junior League gives them opportunities to serve the Charlotte community while holding them accountable to do so. In addition, one woman said she felt good to be part of a larger initiative rather than trying to create these volunteer opportunities on an individual basis. Meredith Cook, a member of the Provisional Class, said, “I enjoy the wide range of experiences and the opportunity to network through service and social events.”

Ashley Lowery, a Provisional Advisor, who has been a member of the Junior League for 10 years, talked about how much the provisional experience has changed over the years. “There are more group activities and group social events available for these women,” remarked Lowery.

This incredible provisional year experience would not be possible without the leadership of Sarah Peerson and her team.

The Membership Development Committee Leadership team is made up of Jess Dienna (Vice Chair), Kelly Fitzgibbons (Training and Development Coordinator), Sophia Burrowes (Special Events Coordinator) and Joanna Bess (Recruitment Coordinator).

In addition, Sarah has a team of advisors who lead regular meetings with a small group of Provisionals based upon geography.

This team has worked tirelessly organizing social events and managing social media, giving the women opportunities to share pictures and events. According to Sarah, “We have all really worked so well together as a group and we’re off to a great start this year.

I imagine it’s only going to get better!”

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LIGHTS!

CAMERA! FASHION!

By Jenny Plaster, Reporter Lights! Camera! Fashion!, the 6th Annual Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC)’s fall fundraising event, proved that JLC women have both substance and style. Coming together to support all of the League’s special philanthropic initiatives, attendees chatted, noshed, and shopped their way through Belk at SouthPark.

Impeccably dressed Junior League models, literally placed on pedestals, decorated Belk’s aisles and provided eye-candy and inspiration for this fall’s hottest trends. Luxe fabrics, like leather and velvet were on display, with plenty of statement outerwear.

The fabulous fall footwear stole the show, as the guests clamored for Michael Kors sneakers, Frye boots and Kate Spade flats. Even the models’ makeup was expertly applied, with on-trend berry lips and gorgeous brows, inspiring shoppers to check out Belk’s cosmetics section. JLC Active and Sustaining Members Elizabeth Kovacs, Suzy Garvey, Debby Woodhouse, Joanna Ashworth, Carrie Cook, Toni

Freeman, Tricia Magee (and her lovely daughters), Lisa Johnson (and her darling son), Erin Maddrey, and GeNae Baldwin truly shined as they volunteered their time as models.

Several prize baskets were skillfully distributed throughout the store, filled to the brim with designer fragrance and cosmetics items guests could enter to win. Attendees could also choose to participate in this year’s 90th Anniversary Mystery Wall grab-bag with a Belk goodie inside. Guests really enjoyed this new twist to the event and it was very popular. As there was always something new around the corner, attendees were encouraged to walk around and mingle.

“This year’s event has a great crowd with good energy,” said Hope Hart, as she chatted with her friends. The crowd was definitely hopping, fueled by the beats from an awesome DJ. Pharrell’s Happy got smiles from everyone as they waited anxiously for

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Other amazing prizes were raffled off, including three black dresses (winner’s choice!) to support the JLC’s Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI), represented at the event by Claudia Salgado. LBDI is a poverty awareness and fundraising campaign that underscores the JLC’s mission to end the cycle of poverty in Charlotte.

Each participant in LBDI commits to wearing one black dress for five days in a row, and wears a pin that reads, “Ask Me About My Dress.” By creating the opportunity for conversation, the LBDI hopes to raise awareness of the challenges faced by so many in the Charlotte area.

Besides the raffle, guests enjoyed the opportunity to win big at the silent auction. This year’s auction featured a wine-tasting trip through the Napa Valley in California, a night out in Charlotte including tickets to Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, an autographed Charlotte Hornets jersey, and more! There was certainly a lot of action as guests competed for the amazing prizes, and knowing that all funds were going to support the JLC’s initiatives surely encouraged some friendly bidding wars.

Shoppers were treated to an amazing charcuterie spread with gourmet cheeses, various breads and crackers, fresh and dried fruit and nuts. There were two different varieties of sandwiches on hand and servers made the rounds with hors d’oeuvres. As the end of the event drew near, servers traded out their savory snacks for trays of desserts: pumpkin cheesecake rolls with pepitas, chocolate-dipped chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate mousse cups.

To accompany the amazing food, a selection of red and white wines were available, as well as a specialty cocktail of vodka with limeade, muddled mint and raspberry. VIP guests had the added benefit of an exclusive vodka, whiskey and wine tasting. In addition, VIP guests had the opportunity to work with Belk stylists as they shopped throughout the store.

Fall Fundraiser Chair Hewit Rome Hawn managed every delightful detail of the event, ensuring that this year’s event was a smashing success. The event raised over $31,000, nearly 20% more than last year’s event, helping to secure another year of funding for JLC initiatives.

Another perk noted among attendees was being able to catch up with friends. Because whatever your taste in fashion, friendship and philanthropy are the ties that bind Leaguers together.

Special thanks to our host for the evening!

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An Active Year of

Growing & Giving Back!

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EmpowHERment

By Temple Ruff, Reporter Dedicated to supporting and advocating for local children and education, the Junior League of Charlotte’s (“JLC”) newest partnership initiative and placement is with EmpowHERment. Through the EmpowHERment committee, the JLC assists EmpowHERment in the creation and delivery of a Saturday Leadership Academy from November 2016 to June 2017.

A 501(c)(3), EmpowHERment’s approach is “intentionally creating a stronger development pipeline to empower female leaders.” With emphases on mentorship, talent development, and advocacy, the organization’s mission is to allow women and girls to bond through “shared learning experiences, connections to networks, and exposure to community resources and issues.”

“EmpowHERment is more than an organization, it’s a philosophy that governs a core belief system that empowers girls and women to lead and dismantle real and perceived gender barriers,” says Carrie B. Cook, founder of EmpowHERment.

While EmpowHERment’s programs engage young women in the sixth through twelfth grades, the JLC’s efforts focus more specifically on 10th graders.

per month, bringing together JLC members and Academy participants. Attendance is projected to be anywhere between 40 and 50 participants, inclusive of both mentees and mentors; however, the committee is preparing for upwards of 80 young women per session.

“We like to involve as many students as possible,” shares Taurus. “While we will focus on 10th graders, there is potential for a broader recruitment from grades 6th through 12th.” The goal is to have repeat participant attendance across sessions, allowing for increased interaction and amplified learning over the program’s run.

“As an organization of women, we encourage voluntarism and support our members in realizing their full potential,” says Taurus Jamison, JLC’s EmpowHERment committee chair.

“Our mission aligns with that of EmpowHERment, and through the Saturday Leadership Academy, we work to instill a sense of leadership in girls early.” Over a seven-month program, the Academy meets one Saturday

Beyond the Saturday sessions, participants also complete topical, hands-on activities prior to each meeting. For example, a short “advocacy statement” was created ahead of the first session in order to encourage interest and understanding of the subject, as well as to provide organizers with insight into the young women’s particular interests and goals.

The Academy emphasizes the balance of sharing experiences and engaging interactions with individualized learning and personal growth.

“Girls shouldn’t have to look beyond their local community to find women who are invested in their success and willing to connect with them.”

– Carrie B. Cook, founder of EmpowHERment.

“We provide these young women with a vision, a clear picture, of what leadership looks like,” says Taurus. “Rather than waiting until later in life, they will leave the program and enter adulthood knowing what they can achieve.”

As organizations, Taurus believes that both EmpowHERment and the JLC can be heralded as “outcomes-based, collaborative, and inclusive.” The committee is focused not only on gauging immediate Academy interest but also enabling ongoing growth.

“We’re excited to be partnering with EmpowHERment for the foreseeable future,” says Taurus.

“It’s wonderful to contribute to there being more female mentors in the community.”

– Taurus Jamison, JLC EmpowHERment Committee Chair To learn more about EmpowHERment, as well as the JLC’s Saturday Leadership Academy, visit www.empowherment.com.

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Sustaining Membership It’s a Family Affair

By Jane Grosse, Sustainer President Sustaining membership in the Junior League of Charlotte is a bit like being a grandmother.

Sustainers get to share our memories with Active members about the glory days when we were running the League, we get to offer advice and the fruits of our collective wisdom, and we are so happy to show how proud we are of the young women who are leading our cherished organization today.

I can tell you that JLC’s Actives are very gracious and actually listen to our stories with enthusiasm.

Perhaps that’s due to the unbroken bond that unites all members of the Junior League of Charlotte…a tradition that has endured for over 90 years!

When I accepted the position of JLC Sustainer President, I immediately began the mental checklist of needed action items.

It’s truly amazing how many events

Sustainer Board: Jane Grosse, Mary Tinkey, Dawn Liles, Lanier Hoy, Linda Baxter, Judith Cheston, Judy Meyer, Suzy Garvey, Joanna Wardell, Susan Mason, Joanna Ashworth, Amy Romeo, Bindy Woerner; Board Members Not Pictured: Andrea Bierce, Liz Foster, Lo Simon, Sally Morris, Laura Greer, Dawn Milgrom

and activities the Sustainers can choose to participate in with their JLC friends. From bridge players to ladies who wish to improve their culinary skills to members who want to delve deeply into the plays of Shakespeare, our programs offer something for everyone. Several Sustainers are also serving as advisors to the Active Membership and on Active Task Forces and Board Subcommittees.

I was not prepared, however, for how grateful I would be to have another opportunity to connect with so many stellar women. Some of these ladies are longtime friends with whom I have organized fundraisers, served at the JLC’s community partners, and shared a glass of wine after a day of voluntarism. Others are new to Charlotte, and they are a delight to welcome to our city and our League.

This experience is reminding me that membership in the JLC is an honor that lasts a lifetime.

And as we learned as Provisional members all those years ago, each of us receives so much more than we give. Perhaps this sentiment is the best illustration of the grandmother analogy: we are a family who care for one another and despite the passage of time, we remain engaged with those people with whom we have and continue to share so much.

2016-2017 Sustainer Board President Jane Grosse

Bridge Joana Wardell

Immediate Past President Bindy Woerner

Shakespeare Lanier Hoy

Past President Liz Foster

Fall Luncheon Sally Morris

Treasurer Susan Mason

Emeritus Tea Laura Greer Amy Romero

Sustainer Transfers Suzy Garvey Lo Simon Communications Judy Mayer

Cocktail Party Dawn Milgrom Mary Tinkey Professional Sustainers Andrea Bierce

New + Exciting for 201617 and Cooking Class Joanna Ashworth Dawn Liles Sassy Sustainers Robin Haddock Nadine Lewandowski Judith Cheston Dianne Cates Fund Development Linda Baxter Active Liaison to Sustainer Board President-Elect Arina Kirk

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WHY GIVE?

Here are just some ways your unrestricted Annual Fund gifts of any size can impact our community partners and provide training for our members, allowing them to be effective volunteers

$10 $25 $40 $100 $250 $325 $1,000

This year, the JLC has committed

51,250 dollars

9,800 hours

to our community partners in support of the Healthy Family Initiative. Your donations support all of these programs as well as provide leadership and development training opportunities for our volunteers.

Dues aren't enough!

Dues cover the operating budget, but are insufficient to fund our community project dollars and other mission based work. Member giving is a vote of confidence in the JLC

Participation Matters!

A contribution of as little as $30 from each member would exceed our commitment to the community.

Our goal is 100% participation!

EVERY GIFT COUNTS Go Online to www.jlcharlotte.org

Pay In person at JLC headquarters

Mail a check to 1332 Maryland Ave. Charlotte, NC 28209

Call the office at (704) 375-5993

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Legacy Society In 2001, the Junior League of Charlotte established the Legacy Foundation. Through planned gifts, members of the Foundation’s Legacy Society nurture and provide ongoing support for the JLC’s mission, its initiatives, and its volunteers.

Margueritte Andresen Tami Backlinie Burris Beth Leann Batchelor Mary Clifford Boyd Tonya D Bruce Terri Chizzini Woozie Dell Susan Garvey Elizabeth Gregg Jennifer Hameling

Arina Kirk Amanda Ann Kohout Elizabeth Wiley Kovacs Alicia Morris Rudd Hope Evans Parrott Beverley Larson Shull Ericka Wilson Steadman Whitni Wilson-Wertz Katherine Elizabeth Zeok

No matter your stage in life, you can choose to include the JLC Legacy Foundation in your estate plans.

To support the community and future generations of women, learn more at: www.jlcharlotte.org/?nd=form__104.

Association of Junior Leagues International’s Organizational Development Institute

Congratulations to this year’s participants!

Kim Best-Staton, Board Member at Large - Governance for Excellence Chrissy Fischer, Education, Training & Advocacy Council - Membership Development Jessica Walker, Human Resources Manager - Governance for Excellence Jacquie Baker, WearHouse Vice Chair - Diversified Fund Management Ashley Soublet, Training and Development Chair - Membership Development Kamila McDonnough, VP Finance - Building Internal Capacity Jamie Mills, Community Impact Manager - Achieving Community Impact Jenna Pendry, Placement Chair - Governance for Excellence Dana Christian, Building & Events Chair - Diversified Fund Development Jessica Dienna, Membership Development Committee Chair - Membership Development

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From the ARCHIVES 50 years with Charlotte Speech & Hearing Center

By Claire Magee, Reporter During the 1960s, The Center began the Junior League by providing of Charlotte, Inc. diagnosis, therapy, (JLC) saw many training, and changes – a new rehabilitative building; an services to expanded focus individuals of from education all ages in the to include the Charlotte area. arts; and the Two years after establishment its founding, the of the Charlotte United Way of the Speech and Central Carolinas Hearing Center, the took over funding first community for the Center, and CSHC announcement in Charlotte Observer speech and shortly thereafter, years later, staff member Louisa hearing center in North Carolina. the JLC pledged an additional Heilman recounted the memory The JLC committed to allocating $57,000 to the Center. In the years of the first success story “I can $124,000 over a three-year period since, the Charlotte Speech and vividly see this little child when and placing 30 JLC volunteers at Hearing Center has continued he said his word, ‘fish.’

His little the Charlotte Speech & Hearing to grow, providing services to face list up, and we clapped and Center. families in and around Charlotte. jumped up and down and carried Additionally, they partner with on.

That one word just makes it The first therapy session was various community organizations, all worthwhile.”

(The CRIER, 1977). provided in October 1967. Ten including ones served by the JLC

Fast Facts Year founded: 1967 Mission: Communication is the key to connecting with the world. The Center’s mission is to provide a full range of effective family-centered speech, language and hearing services to everyone in need. Through outstanding patient care and state of the art technology, individualized hearing solutions are provided on any budget. The center has an audiologist on site, as well as a tenured team of dedicated, highly-trained speech pathologists with a wide variety of specialized skills to serve your family’s needs, with a focus on early intervention.

Web address: http://charlottespeechhearing.com/

Since its founding, the Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center has grown from three employees to 17, now providing 10,000 services to 3,000 individuals annually.

The Center provides services to families regardless of financial status, offering various options for payment, including support from their Family Assistance Fund, which provides free or reduced cost speech language services to low-income individuals with communication disorders in our community. Additionally, the Center provides free speech-

language services to many homeless families at Charlotte Emergency Housing, free hearing aids to low-income children and seniors, and free speech-language and hearing screenings at childcare facilities in Mecklenburg County. On top of the impact in the community, the services provided at the Center include a variety of hearing services and speech-language services through a holistic approach, ensuring the best possible experience and outcome.

As Charlotte Speech and Hearing Center prepares to celebrate 50 years of service to the Charlotte community, it is apparent that the funding and volunteer support of the JLC in helping found the Center continues to make a great impact in the community.

The services provided in the community, in homes and preschools, and at the Center, are crucial to the continued success and growth of the Center, and the treatment of the largest class of handicapping conditions for preschoolers.

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Did You Know?

• CSHC is the only agency that provides free mass speech-language and hearing screenings at childcare facilities in Mecklenburg County.

• Their Community Language/literacy program serves over 900 children from underserved neighborhoods each year.

• Their Hearing Services Bank has provided thousands of hearing aids to lowincome children and seniors, and profits from their private pay hearing aid sales and services help support community programs for the underserved.

• They provide services to families at Charlotte Family Services and the Public Libraries of Charlotte Mecklenburg as well as testing and treatment for schoolaged children at Alexander Youth Network, Thompson Children’s Home and Kennedy Charter School.

Speech-Language Services Evaluations and therapies for • Language disorder, including difficulty with: • Speaking with appropriate grammar • Social language (pragmatics) • Auditory processing and memory • Vocabulary • Comprehension (understanding) of spoken and/or written language • Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder • Articulation (speech-sound production) • Childhood Apraxia of Speech • Oral-motor therapy, including tongue thrust (lisp) • Accent reduction • Assistive/augmentative communication • Fluency (stuttering) • Feeding and Swallowing Disorders • Literacy difficulties, including phonological awareness

Hearing Services •

Audiological Evaluations: for Children and Adults

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Hearing Screenings: In Center and on-site available

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Hearing Instruments: Offering the latest digital technology including near-invisible completely in the canal aids

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Aural Rehabilitation Services: Customized programs to help maximize hearing

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Education Seminars for churches, schools and other groups

Here’s a sneak peek at two of many stars for the 50th Anniversary Charlotte Speech & Hearing Center film to be released this year!

Former JLC member and current CSHC Board member Betsy Heynen, alongside CSHC cofounder, former CSHC Board member and JLC Sustainer, Roland Elliott!

Thanks to you both!

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Meet our newest

Staff Members

Lynn Nielsen

Meghan Ginzer

A native of Chicago, Lynn brings a range of sales, customer service, and non-profit experience to the position of Communications and Operations Director.

She holds a BA of Communications from the University of Iowa. As a provisional, active, and sustainer, Lynn as been a member of the JLC for over 20 years. A mother of two sons (Andrew and Connor, both in college), she is an engaged community volunteer, and currently the Vice President of the Matthews Playhouse Board of Directors.

As Membership Services Manager, Meghan actively engages with Actives, Sustainers, and Provisionals, as well as prospective JLC members.

A graduate of both Union College (Schenectady, New York) and the Wake Forest University School of Law, she worked as an Assistant Public Defender in West Palm Beach, Florida prior to moving to Charlotte.

When not helping support and forward the mission of the JLC, Meghan loves spending time with her husband David and son Connor.

Communications and Operations Director

Membership Services Manager

Announcements Monique Perry received a statewide award for “Innovator of the Year” for outstanding innovation, leadership, and organizational results/achievement.

Monique was the state winner this year and the 1st woman, 1st person of color, and youngest to be chosen from her institution in over 25 years.

On June 10, 2016, Dana and Patrick Obrist welcomed a baby girl, Delaney Francesca, to their family. She joins her brother, Ryan (age 4).

Veronica Ransom got engaged on October 10, 2016 and will become Mrs. Veronica Manderville on May 21, 2017.

The beautiful Whitney Myers got engaged to her love, Will Maness.

Congratulations to Allison and Tyler Sigmon on the birth of their son, Mac Dean Sigmon, on February 28.

Felisha Davis, Chair of Promising Pages, has been recognized as one of the Outstanding 40 Under 40 Alumni for 2017 by Winston Salem State University.

Way to go, Felisha!

Katherine Blair Henderson is engaged to Justin Ewing Cail.

Catherine Burton is getting married on April 22 and will become Mrs. Catherine Odom.

Allison (Brown) and Brian Niekras were married on November 19, 2016.

Charlitta and Mark Hatch welcomed baby Mark Emmett Hatch, III on February 27, 2017.

Together, we celebrate the successes and special life events of the Junior League of Charlotte’s membership. If you or someone you know has a milestone (personal, career, or otherwise) to announce, please let us know at: https://www.jlcharlotte.org/?nd=member_suggestion.

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Congratulations to the following Junior League of Charlotte members recognized in the Charlotte Business Journal’s 40 Under 40

Charlitta Crowder Hatch Janelle Lyons Ann-Fleming Powell

Congratulations to the 2017 class of 50 Most Influential Women!

The 50 Most Influential Women event was created to spotlight and recognize the important role women play in the greater Charlotte region, in the economy, and in society. The following Junior League of Charlotte members were nominated and judged by their peers and have been chosen to receive this award because of their influence and leadership in the Charlotte Mecklenburg community.

Kristina Cruise, Founder and Executive Director of Promising Pages Carin Ross Johnson, Founder of Lydia’s Legacy CheLandra Moore-Quarles, The TRE Foundation, Inc LaToya Evans, The Compass Group North America

In Memorium

In memory of our members who dedicated themselves to making our community a better place to live and serve.

Ann Belk Claudia Belk Frances Bryant JLC President, 1963-1964

Virginia Gourley Muriel Gruhler Nancy Guthery Fay Hand

Sara B. Horn Sallie Lowrance JLC President, 1991-1992

Nancy Mead Mary Parker Amelia Roddey Betty Scott Smith 33

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Money. Madness. this year!