Junior League of Charlotte 2022-23 Annual Report

Annual Report 2022-23

A Letter From the President

Dear Supporter,

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) is an organization dedicated to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training. We invest dollars and time directly in community, working collaboratively with community-based organizations.

We believe that telling our story and sharing our ongoing impact with those who support us the most is critical. As a result, the JLC is introducing a digital Annual Report. We are excited to share this with you.

2022 proved to be a year of transition and reflection for the JLC. As an organization, we identified our new focus area; children’s mental and physical health. We began the work of

restructuring our leadership model to be more efficient and effective for member experiences. In Charlotte, our volunteers served at over ten community-based organizations via our Community Partners, Done in a Day, and Week of Service programs. Our Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) raised funds that allowed us to fulfill our mission and awareness around the impacts of poverty.

None of this work would have been possible without your support.

Our 2022-23 Annual Report documents our impact by the numbers. We are excited to share this information with you!

Thank you for your continued support of the Junior League of Charlotte.

@jlcharlotte_pres @jlcharlotte

Our Mission

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

As we progress through each year, we also take a moment to reflect on our journey. The 2022-2023 League year was momentous for the Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC). We embarked on a new focus area, embraced a new mission statement, and raised nearly $100,000 to advance our mission. Alongside the efforts of our dedicated Council leaders, three pivotal Task Force teams were instrumental in establishing the frameworks to bolster our membership and mission.

In addition to the work completed by our Council leaders, we had three key Task Force teams focused on building the structures to support our membership and mission.

Leadership Support

This Task Force explored the training and training tracks we provide and how we support our leaders so that our leaders and their committees have a positive JLC experience. They delivered a phenomenal training guide to support new leaders in the JLC.

Member Experience

This team implemented creative strategies to help the JLC enrich the member experience, the membership development continuum and help members

The JLC

thrive. They also explored when and how hybrid and virtual events should continue in the JLC.

Service Together

In 2021, our members shared that the top two reasons they joined and stayed with the JLC were for social opportunities and volunteer opportunities. The Service Together Task Force put together service events for all members to attend, and this model was voted on and approved to become the new structure for the Done in a Day committee moving forward.

Written by Christina Gratrix, 2022-2023 JLC President

As approved by our members on January 23, 2023, our mission statement says The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. We are an organization built on a foundation of strong women leaders determined to make an impact in our community.

In our 2022-2023 year more than 1,400 members participated in more than 180 events to support our community. We impacted nearly 45,600 people and provided more than 2,830 hours of service to our Charlotte community. Our impact in Charlotte dates back to 1926, and we are connected to like-minded women across the world through the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI). AJLI is comprised of 295 Leagues throughout the US, Great Britain, Mexico and Canada, with a collective membership of more than 155,000 women.

JLC Service Together members volunteer at the Girls on the Run 5k

2022-23 Board of Directors

Christina Gratrix PRESIDENT

Jonell Logan PRESIDENT-ELECT

Terri White

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Rachel Besnoff

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Shannon Eckard

BOARD SECRETARY

Ashley Lowery NOMINATING CHAIR

Sherri Belfield

CHIEF OF DIVERSITY, EQ UITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING

Kathryn Anderson

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Sherri Sonnier-Johnson

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Ashley Crawford

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Ayanna Wakefield

BOARD MEMBER AT LAR GE - SUSTAINING MEMBER

Jayna Altman

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Tammy Gray

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Patrice Gibson

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Allie Hanson

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Casey Cogburn

BOARD MEMBER AT LARGE

Whitni Wilson-Wertz

SUSTAINING ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT

Betsy Conway

SUSTAINING ADVISOR TO THE PRESIDENT-ELECT

Cindy Turner

ADMINISTRATIVE DIR ECTOR & STAFF LIAISON

2022-23 Management Team

Terri White

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Spencer Lash

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT

Jonell Logan PRESIDENT-ELECT

Becca Walters

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER

Amanda Bagwell

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT MANAGER

Juliana O’Rork COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

Janica Jordan

COMMUNICATIONS ASSISTANT MANAGER

Carolyn Benton COMMUNITY IMPACT MANAGER

Christina Calloway COMMUNITY IMPACT ASSISTANT MANAGER

Eleanor Shell

EDUCATION AND TRAINING MANAGER

Frajovon White

EDUCATION AND TRAINING ASSISTANT MANAGER

Jennifer Emerson

FUND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Jamie Jones

NOMINATING VICE CHAIR

Rosemary Gause VP OF FINANCE

Tifferney White VP OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING

Alyssa Bowker RISK MANAGER

Lisa Johnson

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT SUSTAINING ADVISOR

Tricia Magee

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT SUSTAINING ADVISOR

Carolina M. Bellido

MEMBER & DONOR SERVICES MANAGER

CHARLOTTE JUNIOR LEAGUE

In 1926, 30 trailblazing charter members saw an opportunity to make an impact. Through the combined energy and vision of our membership over the last 11 decades, the Junior League of Charlotte has truly made a difference in the surrounding community. From the Charlotte Nature Museum to Discovery Place to the Levine Children’s Hospital Family Resource Center, the League has left a legacy of service, dedication and compassion. Today, with more than 1,600 members and 15,000 hours of community service on an annual basis, the JLC continues to make its mark all over the Charlotte area. And like the women who preceded us, we approach the future with happy anticipation of a Junior League of Charlotte that will continue to make a difference well into the next 100 years.

JLC members volunteer at Thompson Child and Family Focus during Week of Service

JLC by the Numbers

45,590 $61,029.38

# of people impacted 2022-2023 Dollars Allocated

Based on 2022-2023 Dashboard

181

2,830 1,781 Events with People Impacted Total Community Hours Bundles Prepared

JLC members volunteer at Wing Haven during Week of Service.

BOTTOM LEFT: 2022-2023 President Christina Gratrix speaks at the WomenGiveClt event at the Mint Museum.

BOTTOM RIGHT: Carolina Bellido and Cindy Turner volunteer at the WomenGiveClt event at the Mint Museum.

Our Impact

What our community partners are saying...

Digi-Bridge

“The underrepresentation of women and minorities in STEAM (Science, Technology, Arts, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers remains a persistent issue that demands attention. Historically, these fields have witnessed a significant gender and racial disparity limiting the diverse perspectives and talents that could contribute to scientific progress and innovation. By addressing this disparity, we can foster a more inclusive and equitable society. In this context, the involvement of the Junior League of Charlotte volunteers with Digi-Bridge students has been invaluable. By volunteering and speaking to the students, the Junior League volunteers have served as inspiring role models, breaking stereotypes and demonstrating that women can thrive in STEAM fields. Their presence has not only shown the students that a career in STEAM is attainable, but it has also encouraged them to pursue their passions, discover their talents and ignite their futures. Through their dedication and commitment, the Junior League volunteers have played a vital role in empowering Title 1 students in Charlotte, providing them with the necessary support and guidance to explore the world of STEAM and envision a future where women and minorities thrive in these careers.”

“The Junior League of Charlotte’s support continues to enhance our efforts to provide more diverse books that are representative of the students we serve, more than 90% of whom are children of color.”

Charlotte Bilingual Preschool

“The JLC volunteers have always been respectful of Charlotte Bilingual Preschool’s mission of providing a high-quality, dual-language education to Spanish-speaking students. Some of the volunteers were bilingual, and therefore, they worked well with our families and staff, who speak both English and Spanish. JLC volunteers were consistently supportive of our Bulletin Board projects and other volunteer events, and they were always respectful of the various cultures represented at our school.”

Members make bookmarks for Promising Pages during Week of Service

Our Donors

Thank you to all our $250 and up donors.

Individuals Businesses

Alexandria McCain

Alexis Ricker

Alicia Morris-Rudd

Allison Chisolm

Amanda Stevens

Anna Wallace

Arina Kirk

Ashel Sommermann

Ashley Crawford

Ashley Holland

Ashley Lowery

Aurora Kitko

Ayanna Wakefield

Beverley Shull

Brad Long

Carolyn Benton

Charlitta Hatch

Christina Gratrix

Cindy Turner

Corinna Hughes

Ellen Rankin

Erin Breeden

Finnessa Sandy

Jacquie Baker

Jamalia David

Jamie Jones

Jeff O’Keefe

Jennifer Emerson

Jennifer McNeil

Jenny Melick

John Lynch

Jonell Logan

Julia Beaty

Julia Taylor

Katherine Clark

Kathryn Anderson

Kay Sowers

Kellie Lofton

Kelsea Skinner

Kelsey Ellender

Kimberly Vuxta

Laura Smith

Lisa Bailey-Samuels

Lisa Johnson

Lisa Tomlinson

Lori Anne Emlong

Mallory Pearce

Matt Robertson

Megan Smith

Megan Teets

Michael Breeden

Molly Lawson

Mozelle Griffith

Nevah Jones

Niki Willis

Olivia Lee

Peggy Ransone

Rachel Besnoff

Sally Van Allen

Sandra Bisanar

Sarah Lynn Davis

Sarah Vest

Shannon Eckard

Sharon Slater

Shekeria Barnes

Shelby Allen

Sherri Johnson

Spencer Lash

Stephanie Snyder

Tametta Gray

Terri White

Tiffany Patterson

Timothy Peck

Trish Hobson

Ally Financial Inc.

Bank Of America Corporation

Bedside Manor

Brownlee Jeweler’s

Chanel No. 5

Corning

Enterprise Holdings Foundation

Foundation For The Carolinas

Friends of the Library at Queens

Hyland Software Company

Jones Lang LaSalle

Life Time Fitness and Spa

McGuireWoods

Microsoft Corporation

Murray Parker Fine Art

National Philanthropy Trust

Paige Gunter Robertson Fine Art

PaperSkyscraper Store

Perry’s Diamonds & Estate Jewelry

Premier Inc.

St. John Knits SouthPark

Summit Golf Brands

Sunset Cruise on Lake Norman

The Clorox Company

The Wakefield Donor Advised Fund

Truist

Wells Fargo Community Support

Departed Members

Mary Anne Boone Thomas

Elizabeth Morrow “Betsy” Elliott

Anne Stedman

Jill Roberts

Meredith Marchant

Eleanor Rathbone Nichols

Gwin Barnwell Dalton

Nancy Thomas

Mary Cook Mills

Honoring

Service Together members volunteer at Baby Bundles

Junior League of Charlotte

1332 Maryland Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28209 (704) 375-5993 office@jlcharlotte.org

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

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