Perspectives Magazine - Winter/Spring 2024

Perspectives MAGAZINE OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CINCINNATI

Winter/Spring 2024

Contents

2023-2024 LEADERSHIP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

IN THIS ISSUE

Message from the President

3

Unmasking Endless Potential at the AJLI Conference

4

JLC Announces HER Cincinnati Partnership

6

Changing How JLC Finds New Members

7

Spring is in Full Bloom for JLC’s 104th Annual Meeting

8

FNC Feature: JLC’s First Grant to FNC

10

Celebrating Tradition & Renewal at Sustainer Luncheon

11

JLC Members Appointed to Leadership Programs

12

League Life Lately

14

Engagement Soars Among Membership with DEI&B

16

Unveiling the New Member Journey

17

A Night in Monte Carlo Fundraiser Exceeds Goal

18

The Price is Right with Renee Grace Bridal

20

Book Discussion Expands DEI&B Awareness

21

Family Volunteer Day

22

Membership Milestones

23

René Robers Kelly Barber Molly Roberts Sarah Houseman Allison Smith Danielle Deja Kate Fortlage Byrd Bergeron Deanna Hillard Katie May Sarah C. Clark Meredith Comin Saralou Durham Danya Karram Megan Stacey Dionn Tron

President President-Elect Secretary Legal Advisor Treasurer Presidential Advisor Immediate Past President Nominating Chair DEI&B Chair Strategic Planning Director Member At-Large Member At-Large Member At-Large Member At-Large Member At-Large Member At-Large

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM Erinn R. M. Carlson Emily Haun Megan Busam Katie Ziegler Rebecca Bryson Emily Reinhold Casey Burleigh Meggan Thompson Marty Humes Kathryn Harsh Jenny Mauch Meg Anacker

Executive Vice President Executive Vice President-Elect Recording Secretary VP Communications VP Community Impact VP Finance VP Membership VP Training & Development VP Sustainer Council VP Sustainer Council DEI&B Vice Chair Nominating Vice Chair

ON THE COVER: THANK YOU The Content Committee would like to extend our gratitude to the many women who volunteered their time, knowledge, opinions, and experiences to make this issue possible.

Perspectives is the magazine of the Junior League of Cincinnati, published two times throughout the year.

Past issues can be found online at jlcincinnati.org/media/perspectivesmagazine

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

For more news and events, follow us on social media.

JLCincinnati

JLCincy

jlcincinnati.org

3500 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226 | 513.871.9339

2 | Winter/Spring 2024

Top Left: JLC Sustainers enjoying the 104th Annual Sustainer Luncheon, page 11 Top Right: Members and guests at a Night in Monte Carlo, the JLC’s Spring Fundraiser, page 18 Bottom Center: The JLC New Member class celebrating their induction at the 104th Annual Meeting, page 8

EDITORIAL STAFF Katie Ziegler, VP of Communications Erica Bock, Managing Editor Emily Bakes, Assistant Editor Kimberly Perros, Content Writer Additional Contributors: René Robers, JLC President Lee Rose, Family Nurturing Center

Message from THE PRESIDENT

DEAR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS, Congratulations on your success this year with the Junior League of Cincinnati!

We are so grateful for what you have contributed to this chapter in our story; as our stakeholders and owners in this business, we are proud to share the progress you have made in 2023 - 2024.

Across our six councils, our members and leaders supported the launch of our new strategic plan and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) organizing plan, focusing on future-proofing what we do and how we show up to make an impact internally and in our community. This also included meaningful work done by the Board to continue to be good stewards of our finances and make the most of our member’s experience, so that they continue to renew towards lifelong membership, transitioning to Sustainers to continue their legacy.

Kudos to you for exceeding the revenue goals for both fundraisers, including the launch of a new concept, A Night in Monte Carlo. We also exceeded our Annual Fund for the second year in a row, and appreciate your support in this important component of our operating budget.

This year our new annual sponsorship program, including Renee Grace Bridal, surpassed our goal for support and also increased Columbia Center rentals, including our space being leveraged by 26 community nonprofits.

Speaking of community, we were thrilled to learn at the Association of Junior Leagues international (AJLI) conference, that we won an award for our work for the inaugural Find the Good Day! We are proud of how our members led through the end of our 3-year partnership with the Family Nurturing Center. We also completed an RFP process to identify our new partner, which received 27 applications! JLC is thrilled to welcome HERCincinnati, to pilot HER Collective, a women’s small business co-op that leverages shared operations, marketing, and retail outreach tools & resources - and equipping women to do so much more!

Other milestone moments this year include our new brand identity, honoring 21 Board Bank graduates, two more women’s health forums focused on infertility and family planning, and perimenopause/menopause. We launched Little Leaguers and updated the Mother’s Room at Columbia Center; Nominating received more applications than roles for both spring & fall slate; we met our strategic plan goal of retaining 80% of New Members transitioning to Actives!

Since I joined as a New Member in June of 2011, I have navigated and grown through my adult life, and the League has grown with me, providing friendships, opportunities and experiences that have stretched and strengthened me; the Junior League has provided me with the support system and positive distractions I needed to navigate all of life’s celebrations & storms. As I step into sustainerhood and reflect back, I hope that your experience as a member also shapes your life in a way that makes an impact on you - personally and professionally - and on your friends, family and the community. And that you will give consideration to throwing your hat in the ring for the highest levels of leadership - the investment of your time & talent is worth it!

With love & appreciation,

René Robers, JLC President

Junior League of Cincinnati | 3

KELLY BARBER, PRESIDENT-ELECT Favorite Moment: So many! But the Mardi Gras welcoming session and parade was pretty spectacular. They had a Second Line jazz band, people on stilts and more glitter and beads than you thought possible in a conference room. But most importantly, you could feel the joy and connectivity throughout the room! It made me so proud to be part of this amazing collection of powerful (and fun!) women.

Annual Conference is AJLI's largest event of the year.

Centered around association business, organizational updates, and networking, this conference welcomes representatives from Leagues all across the United States and beyond to help drive AJLI into the future.

Four members from the JLC outgoing & incoming Core Team took a trip to the Big Easy for the AJLI Annual Conference in May, learning and celebrating with over 600 League leaders from across the country. They shared their favorite moments, biggest surprises, impressive moments, and key takeaways with to give us a small taste of what they learned during the conference. Unfortunately they did not bring back any actual tastes. The conference kicked off Wednesday night with a Mardi Gras-themed celebration and dinner featuring a traditional Second Line band.

Thursday morning opened with League presidents serving as voting delegates bearing flags from the 294 Junior Leagues around the world. During lunch, attendees learned about new AJLI initiatives including a partnership with the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation, a new mental well-being initiative, “Be Good to You,” and upcoming partnerships with Girls on the Run and Girl Scouts of America. The biggest surprise of the weekend was the Junior League of Cincinnati winning the inaugural Find the Good Day Award for 2023! Following lunch, each of our JLC members attended breakout seasons with focuses on leadership development, managing conflict, communication, and building relationships for community impact.

Friday was all business, with the Annual Business Meeting, Presidents of Large Leagues (POLL) Meeting, and team working sessions. The evening was full of celebration as the year’s annual award winners were announced. Ann Cramer from the Junior League of Atlanta won the prestigious Mary Harriman Award, concluding the ceremony with a touching speech that left everyone in the room feeling deeply motivated and genuinely inspired. Google her name and you’ll understand why!

We also celebrated outgoing AJLI Vice President and Cincinnati’s own Past President & Sustainer, Michelle Vaeth, rounding out her two-year term on the governing board.

Biggest Surprise: Winning Find the Good Day, of course. That moment will forever be cemented in my mind. And also learning that nearly 2 million women have served in the Junior League since 1901. It’s easy to forget about the vast network of League Women when we’re so focused on the work we do in Cincinnati.

But the League is so much bigger than just us!

What Impressed Me Most: Seeing the Community Impact Award go to the California Leagues who introduced a bill for Reproductive Loss Leave, which was just passed! How incredible to be part of something so monumental and important to so many families. The new bill will ensure those who have lost life due to miscarriages, adoptions and other circumstances are able to take time off from work to begin to process and heal, without fear of retaliation from their employers.

Things I Took Away: 1) A deep appreciation for creole food. 2) A list of other League Leaders to call upon for advice. 3) And a new favorite quote from the Junior League of Portland - when evaluating the potential for a new opportunity use the 3M Test: is it good for the Mission? Good for our Members? Good for our Money? If yes to all three, it’s a good fit! If not, maybe we reprioritize our efforts into something that does.

Rating: 5 gold strings of beads EMILY HAUN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT Favorite Moment: Connecting with fellow EVPEs and EVPs to learn more about the vast differences between each league + feeling empowered, inspired and motivated to continue to shape this important role. Spending quality time planning and reflecting with my fellow JLC members was another priceless highlight!

Biggest Surprise: Definitely our FTGD win! Such a proud moment.

Loved experiencing the parliamentary procedure involved in the AJLI Annual Meeting, learning about all the new leagues being “born” every year, and knowing that members from international leagues such as Puerto Rico, Nairobi, London, and La Cote d’Azur, France are all working on similar mission-minded, servant leadership-focused activities that are tailored to their communities!

What Impressed Me Most: Ann Cramer, winner of this year’s prestigious Mary Harriman award, blew me away. She served as President of the Junior League of Atlanta in 1980 and is an incredible leader within the Greater ATL community. Her award acceptance speech brought tears to my eyes - the whole room was hanging on her every word - she is an authentic, brave, compassionate woman whose work and dedication to the Junior League has made a profound and long-lasting impact. I felt inspired to harness her message of unapologetic and unwavering girl power.

Things I Took Away: The topic of avoiding “permission culture” came up during a breakout session, and this really resonated with me. I want our members to be bold and courageous - to have big ideas! We must remain dedicated to a culture of training and empowerment while balancing creativity with our strategic plans and initiatives. This is a challenging but exciting concept. I also loved the simple message presented by Sara Sternberger, Past President of JL Albuquerque during the Internal Comms session: “As a leader, you must unburden yourself of the things that are not important.”

Rating: A whole bushel of beignets.

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RENÉ ROBERS, PRESIDENT Favorite Moment: Grabbing Emily’s hand and walking on stage to accept the Find the Good Day award! The work we do is in service of each other, our partners and the community - to be recognized for an effort that was developed with a short lead time and limited direction was a fun challenge, but also left me questioning if it was enough, or the right way to honor this inaugural celebration. As they read the award description, I leaned over to Kelly and said, “I think that’s us!” Sharing this moment with dear friends who helped make it happen, and receiving cheers of congratulations from friends we have made from other Leagues all across the country, is a memory I will always cherish from my presidency.

Biggest Surprise: AJLI’s commitment to helping Leagues thrive; they understand there are competing priorities in women’s lives and dedicating the time and effort to a volunteer nonprofit organization is so very different than it was then when our founder, Mary Harriman, established the Junior League of New York in 1901! Their latest initiative, “Be Good to You” is a mental well-being effort focused on conquering women’s daily struggles and self-doubt so she can change the world. They get it; they understand us; they want to meet us where we are.

What Impressed Me Most: The attention to detail and efforts to make it a special and impactful conference - while it started at 8:00 a.m. and went through 8:00 p.m. or after most evenings, the energy was palpable and they kept it fun and interesting! Besides the governance sessions, which we understand are necessary, AJLI made it feel exciting! They showed their appreciation for and support of our leaders, who took 4 days away from their families, homes and jobs to focus on learning and sharing to improve the work we do within our Leagues, to make an impact on our community. That is difficult to do for 1,000 women across a few days!

Honorable mention: all of the food - from the Marriott catering, which was not expected, to enjoying the local favorites, we ate well in The Big Easy!

Things I Took Away: A deep sense of pride in the JLC - the issues other Leagues face are not issues we have; as you listen to the challenges and opportunities others are seeking help with, I feel so grateful for and proud of the Junior League of Cincinnati with our strong & engaged leaders, healthy membership numbers, engaged office team, beautiful building, balanced budget and sizeable endowment, which make us an incredibly successful League!

Rating: 10/10 & all that jazz!

KATIE DULLE, PRESIDENT-ELECT, ELECT Favorite Moment: Winning the Find the Good Day Award was an incredible moment! As we were enjoying lunch, the presenter began describing the award winner’s activities and contributions, and one by one, we looked at each other, wondering, "Is this us?!"

When they finally announced the Junior League of Cincinnati as the award recipient, we were overwhelmed with pride.

Biggest Surprise: Anna Laymon, the Executive Director of the Women’s Suffrage National Monument Foundation, spoke at the Junior League is Blooming lunch and shared two surprising and unsettling facts: there are more public sculptures of mermaids in the United States than of American-born women and more statues of dogs in Washington, DC than First Ladies. My mind was blown.

While not a happy surprise, these factoids underscore the importance of the Foundation’s mission to establish a commemorative work on federal land in Washington, D.C., honoring the pioneers of the early American movement for women’s equality. Their collaboration with AJLI and local leagues to honor and commemorate the contributions of women in our communities is truly inspiring. I love to envision JLC field trips to both a national monument and a Cincinnati monument that we helped build, celebrating the powerful legacy of women’s achievements.

What Impressed Me Most: During the awards dinner, I was continuously impressed by the remarkable work of other Leagues and the outstanding accomplishments of Mary Harriman Award recipient Ann Cramer from the Junior League of Atlanta. From pioneering policy work for reproductive loss leave to organizing fundraising events that generate more than $75,000 and offering unique perspectives on accessibility in DEIB initiatives, the evening was a source of admiration and inspiration. It motivated me to think big, lead by example, and encourage our members to embrace creativity and boldness in all that we do. We often say we “learned it in the League,” but there is so much to learn from other Leagues. I am confident we’ll continue to share knowledge and inspiration across all our large Leagues.

Things I Took Away: It's all too easy to be self-critical, constantly striving for personal and collective improvement within our League. But let's take a moment to truly appreciate and celebrate the incredible commitment, skills, and success of our members.

The Junior League of Cincinnati should be immensely proud of the meaningful impact we make in our community year after year. Our responsible financial choices and engagement with exceptional women leaders are nothing short of inspiring. We deserve to give ourselves more credit for the profound impact we have and the remarkable spirit of leadership we embody. Let's pat ourselves on the back and acknowledge the outstanding work we do together!

Rating: 100% (humidity)

Junior League of Cincinnati | 5

JLC ANNOUNCES PARTNERSHIP WITH HER CINCINNATI

BY ERICA BOCK, MANAGING EDITOR The JLC is excited to announce our new community partner, HER Cincinnati, marking a big step forward in our mission. HER Cincinnati’s mission is to empower women to break the cycles of poverty, addiction, and human trafficking. Through the partnership, they will receive an initial grant for $25,000, followed by continued funding for two consecutive years, in addition to invaluable dedicated volunteer and strategic support from our network of more than 800 members, who are eager to get started.

René Robers, president of the Junior League of Cincinnati, is proud of the work the Program Development Committee led in identifying our partner. Through the RFP process, we received 27 applications of interest from local organizations. "With over a century of service in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky, we're thrilled to team up with HER Cincinnati. Together, we can make a real difference in our community," she says enthusiastically.

At the heart of this collaboration is the launch of HER Collective, an initiative to set up a women's small business co-op that leverages shared operations, marketing, and retail outreach tools & resources. HER Collective will empower women with entrepreneurial skills and valuable work experience by pooling resources for operations, marketing, and retail outreach. Our JLC volunteers will support educational activities to better understand the struggles of poverty and addiction, all to be better advocates.

Beth Schwartz, CEO of HER Cincinnati, is pumped about what's to come. "The JLC's backing is a game-changer for HER Collective. With their support, we can give women in our programs the tools to change their lives," she shares eagerly.

After a year-long process and lots of careful consideration, HER Cincinnati stood out as our perfect partner, sharing our values of empowerment and community impact.

Leslie Touassi, Chair of Program Development, reflects on this collaborative effort, sharing "working on Program Development this year has truly been an amazing experience. The group of dedicated women and the amount of time we spend going through the applications, working with prospective partners, and fine-tuning the existing process has given me a lot of confidence that the next 3 to 5 years working with HER Cincinnati will create lasting, positive change for the community. By working with HER Cincinnati, I truly believe the Program Acceleration Committee will be able to create a meaningful service experience to our membership." The Program Development Committee was led by Chair, Leslie Touassi, with support from Rebecca Bryson (VP Community Impact), Priscilla Ungers (Sustainer Advisor), Susan Shelton (Sustainer Advisor), Melanie Beil, Riece Drew, Katie Dulle, Bridget Fantaci, Robyn Fettman, Kate Fortlage, and Olivia Salatin.

Starting June 1, we will kick off this new chapter, bidding farewell to our successful collaboration with our previous community partner, Family Nurturing Center. We're stoked to join forces with HER Cincinnati and to work to support female entrepreneurs and their growth in Greater Cincinnati.

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Changing How JLC Finds New Members, While Making a Difference

BY KIMBERLY PERROS, CONTENT WRITER Our recruitment events are often the first taste of what being in the Junior League is all about. From playing games at the Columbia Center to volunteering with Our Daily Bread, these get-togethers provide opportunities to help prospective members learn about our organization.

Katie Arendt, Membership Recruitment Chair, shared about the current year’s events JLC has hosted to recruit new members. Katie mentioned how the Recruitment Committee worked to showcase both the service and social aspects of the Junior League. “We’ve hosted coffee chats, socials at different restaurants, game nights, and service events so prospective members can get a holistic feel for what membership is like in the JLC. Since we started hosting events earlier in the year and having a wide array of activities, we’re noticing that prospective members are attending multiple recruitment events throughout the season, and often bringing friends along with them.”

The year’s events included many unique opportunities for Prospective Members. In January 2024, JLC partnered with Our Daily Bread to make “happy birthday” bags that included writing utensils, socks, ponytail holders, hygiene products, and homemade cards by our members and Prospective Members. In February, a Galentine’s Day event was co-hosted with the Membership Engagement Committee and the Community & Outreach (CandO) Committee, where they wrote encouraging messages for Survivor Cards and created Valentine’s Day cards for the Bethany House staff to show our appreciation. The committee has also supported local businesses through socials held at Factory 52, Fulton Yards, Newport on the Levee, and Dutch’s. Other meet and greet events were held in April and May. In the month of April, the Columbia Center was open for game night with board games to give Prospective Members a chance to interact with current members. In May, Recruitment held a roundtable event for Prospective Members to interact with JLC members across all membership statuses, including Active members, Sustainers, and this year’s New Members. “We are seeing many applicants who are newer to Cincinnati this year, and women of all ages and locations are applying which is great!

By hosting events in areas like Norwood and Northern Kentucky we hoped to reach women in neighborhoods that may not typically hear about the Junior League,” Katie shared. “I feel like we are on track to have another great new member class. Our applicants are really involved in the community and eager to get started in the JLC.” The Recruitment Committee developed a new referral program this year that allowed current members to submit the names of women they think would be good candidates for membership. Once a referred prospective member completes an application, the member that referred them is entered into a raffle for different prizes such as gift cards to local businesses, tickets to sporting events, and Junior League apparel. These raffle winners will be chosen once applications close in June.

Katie shared how they collaborated with the Marketing and Online Committees to make sure that recruitment events were shared on social media through posts on Instagram and Facebook. Current members are able to share the posts that are on the Junior League accounts which allow even more prospective members to see upcoming events. The Recruitment Committee’s dedication to provide events that give prospective members a glimpse into the different facets of membership has made a significant difference in future generations of JLC empowering women in its mission.

Junior League of Cincinnati | 7

JLC LEADERS WITH JANE HERMS FROM FAMILY NURTURING CENTER

SPRING IN FULL BLOOM FOR JLC’S 104TH ANNUAL MEETING

BY KATIE ZIEGLER, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS The Junior League of Cincinnati’s 104th Annual Meeting took place at the Columbia Center on Tuesday, May 7th. The Membership Engagement Committee, chaired by Sam Markle and Dani Rodriguez, planned a wonderful event with a garden party theme. The tables were adorned with gorgeous floral centerpieces donated by Gia and the Blooms, tasty bites were provided by The Delish Dish, and delicious drinks were mixed by two fabulous women from Bars on Wheels.

Poppin’ BalloonArt provided a beautiful balloon arch backdrop for many perfect photo opportunities captured by JLC past president and Sustainer, photographer Lisa Hubbard.

The event commenced with a heartfelt address from League President René Robers, extending gratitude to this year's League sponsors and reflecting on the noteworthy achievements of the 2023-2024 term, aptly described by René as a "banner year" for the League, including the launch of a new strategic plan, a diversity, equity, inclusion & belonging plan, a new Code of Conduct, two successful fundraisers exceeding revenue goals, including the a new concept, A Night in Monte Carlo; support for meeting members where they are with Little Leaguers Loft and newborn packages, and updates to the mother’s room; a pilot for annual sponsorships, additional focus on Columbia Center rentals, both delivering over the budgeted goals, and many more memories and milestones met.

The evening unfolded with the acknowledgment of new Sustaining members, the induction of New Members becoming Active members, and the commemoration of Member Service Milestones, culminating in the eagerly anticipated annual awards ceremony.

Each year the Junior League of Cincinnati bestows seven major awards to members and organizations that uphold the ideals and values of the JLC. We would like to congratulate this year’s award winners: Jeanne Boyce Morrison President Award: Katie Ziegler Cookie Nowland Sustainer Award: J. J. Wales Excellence in Training Award: Katie Arendt Transformational Team Award: Marketing Committee (Led by Chair, Taylor DeWald, and Vice Chair Jennifer Pike.

Members: Stephanie Zuidema, Emily Meek, Madeline Ottilie, Sheila Antall) Shanon Marks New Member Award: Jennifer White Rising Star Award: Endia Crabtree & Laura Damurjian Community Impact Award: Jane Herms, President/CEO, Family Nurturing Center Our community partner, Jane Herms, President and CEO of Family Nurturing Center, elaborated on the profound impact the JLC has had on the organization over the past three years of our partnership. The Junior League of Cincinnati is proud of our shared success and is excited to continue to support them for many years to come.

The night included a sweet farewell by our outgoing President, René Robers, and Executive Vice President, Erinn R. M. Carlson. We also welcomed our incoming President, Kelly Barber, and Executive Vice President, Emily Haun, with custom presidential jewelry crafted and donated by Krombholz Jewelers.

Kelly Barber, incoming President for the 2024-2025 League year, shared her perspective on why she said yes to the role and why she is doing something that scares her, ending with the conclusion, “because fear is often a synonym of growth and change.” Her inspiring words set the tone for the upcoming year, rallying members to become "Agents of Change" as they embark on planning for 2024-2025.

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Leslie Touassi, Chair of Program Development, enthusiastically introduced and welcomed our incoming community partner, HER Cincinnati. We were joined by President and CEO, Beth Schwartz, Managing Director of the Scholar House Program, Rainie Moody, Managing Director of Community Relations, Jenny Jones, and a current resident at HER Cincinnati’s Scholar House, Genesis McPherson. Following a speech by Beth Schwartz, Genesis shared about the products she brought for all attendees from her entrepreneurial venture supported by HER, McPherson Cosmetics. She will be one of the many women who will participate in and benefit from our new partnership project, HER Collective, a women’s small business co-op that leverages shared operations, marketing, and retail outreach tools & resources.

MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT COMMITTEE

We would also like to recognize the following leaders: Outgoing 2023-2024 Board and EMT members: Danielle Deja, Presidential Advisor Molly Roberts, Board Secretary Katie May, Strategic Planning Director Megan Stacey, Board Member at Large Byrd Bergeron, Nominating Chair Erinn R. M. Carlson, Executive Vice President Katie Ziegler, VP of Communications Emily Reinhold, VP of Finance Casey Burleigh, VP of Membership Marty Humes, VP of Sustainer Council Deanna Hillard, DEI&B Chair Jenny Mauch, DEI&B Vice Chair

BOARD MEMBERS, INCLUDING INCOMING & OUTGOING

Incoming 2024-2025 Board and EMT: Katie Dulle, President-Elect Sam Zehnder, Board Secretary Erica Bock, Strategic Planning Director Meg Anacker, Nominating Chair Endia Crabtree, DEI&B Chair Tara Mosley, Board Member at Large Emily Haun, Executive Vice President Mary Taliaferro, Executive Vice President-Elect Elizabeth Desrosiers, VP of Communications Lauren Krebs, VP of Finance Christina Yardley, VP of Fund Development Katie Arendt, VP of Membership Emily Headley, VP of Sustainer Council Erika Lundstedt, Nominating Vice Chair Thank you to all of these incredible women for their years of service in these outgoing positions, as well as our leaders coming into new positions! We look forward to watching you succeed in your roles. A full list of leadership positions for the 2024-2025 League year can be found on our member homepage under Leadership List. The Annual Meeting was full of celebration, recognition, and excitement for the next year to come.

EMT MEMBERS, INCLUDING INCOMING & OUTGOING

If you missed the event, you can also view the full program online.

INCOMING SUSTAINERS PICTURED WITH SUSTAINER COUNCIL CHAIR, MARTY HUMES

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CINCINNATI’S FIRST GRANT TO FAMILY NURTURING CENTER LED TO A BOARD MEMBER VOICING HIS ABUSE AS A CHILD

BY LEE ROSE, FAMILY NURTURING CENTER, MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR

While most Junior League of Cincinnati members grew familiar with Family Nurturing Center through its partnership during the past 3 years, it’s impact on the nonprofit began nearly 40 years ago.

The Junior League of Cincinnati made one of the first grants to Family Nurturing Center to purchase puppets for its Kids on the Block program in 1986. Today, the free program gives Pre-K through fifth-grade students and their teachers the tools they need to recognize and report child abuse and bullying.

“The puppets are more relatable to children and can tackle topics that are often difficult for children and adults alike to discuss,” said Jane Herms, President/CEO of Family Nurturing Center. “The puppets are the same size as many grade-school children and talk at a child’s level, making them more relatable than adults. When the puppets share how their mommy or daddy hurt them, it frequently leads to children disclosing abuse that happened to them.” At 8 years old, Curtis Clemons attended a Kids on the Block program at his elementary school. It empowered him to tell his mother that a babysitter was abusing him. Curtis’s courage led to other neighborhood children confiding in trusted adults that the babysitter had abused them as well.

Now a successful real estate agent, Curtis said he spent years trying to find the nonprofit that brought the puppets to his school and, ultimately, changed his life.

He learned about Family Nurturing Center through a friend. Today, Curtis serves on the agency’s board and shares his story to raise awareness and help others.

“The cycle of abuse is something that can be stopped,” Curtis said. “My abuse happened 25 years ago yet it’s a true testament to the work of the Family Nurturing Center that programs like Kids on the Block are still here today. It’s vital we empower our children to recognize abuse and know what to do if it happens to them.”

Family Nurturing Center envisions a world of safe children, thriving families and nurturing communities. Its board of directors and staff want all children to receive the same insights Curtis did as a child. The nonprofit recently added a second outreach program for kids.

For children in grades 6-8 Family Nurturing Center offers its free Teen Safety Matters. It educates and empowers students with information and strategies to prevent, recognize and respond appropriately to bullying, cyberbullying, all types of abuse, relationship abuse, digital dangers, exploitation and human trafficking.

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JUNIOR LEAGUE’S LEGACY Four decades after its first grant to Family Nurturing Center, JLC members continue to bolster the agency’s ability to educate, counsel and empower more than 12,000 individuals that it serves annually.

Most recently, Junior League contracted with an artist through ArtsWave to design a mural at the agency’s Cincinnati office. The artist created the mural with a paintby-number system, enabling JLC members to paint the final artwork. It will be a four-panel piece that features butterflies. The completed piece will welcome children in foster care when they arrive for Parenting Time Visitation.

More than 300 families participate in foster care visits weekly.

The leadership team at Family Nurturing Center is incredibly grateful for all of JLC’s volunteer hours and grants as well as the connections that members have bridged for Family Nurturing Center. The League elevated the nonprofits’ presence in the community and brought new energy and ideation.

“Junior League of Cincinnati’s relationships, resources and funding will leave a legacy far beyond our 3-year partnership,” Herms said. “Your leadership has made a lasting impact on our mission to end the cycle of child abuse by promoting individual well being and healthy relationships. Thank you for your partnership as well as all of the friendships that blossomed through your active involvement in our agency.”

To bring the free Kids on the Block or Teen Safety Matters program to a school, please contact Andy at Andy.Bernert@familynurture.org or (859) 525-3200.

CELEBRATING TRADITION & RENEWAL THE 104TH SUSTAINER LUNCHEON OF THE JLC

BY ERICA BOCK, MANAGING EDITOR On Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the League held its 104th Sustainer Luncheon, marking another year of camaraderie, celebration, and renewal. Set against a festive May Day theme, the event was a vibrant tapestry of tradition and elegance, bringing together 140 women at the Cincinnati Country Club.

Chaired by Peggy Landes, Linda Schlegel, and Priscilla Ungers, the luncheon was wonderfully planned to reflect the spirit of the occasion. From the moment Sustainers stepped into the clubhouse, they were greeted with the warmth of spring and friendship. Festive spring beverages flowed as old acquaintances reconnected and new bonds were forged amidst the blossoming atmosphere.

The dining room was a vision of sophistication, adorned with pastel linens and petite moss-lined baskets overflowing with the vibrant hues of spring blooms. The culinary delights of the day were equally enchanting, with a menu featuring a refreshing cold mint pea soup, a tantalizing trio of salads, and the pièce de résistance—a selection of exquisitely decorated flower cookies from the renowned Bonbonerie bakery.

Amidst the convivial atmosphere, the program unfolded with grace and purpose. Kathryn Harsh and Marty Humes, CoVice President of the Sustainer Council, eloquently outlined the year's achievements and unveiled plans for the upcoming Sustainer year. A heartfelt tribute was paid to Marty Humes for her 40 years of dedicated service as a member, symbolized by an etched glass pitcher adorned with the JLC logo.

René Robers, President of the JLC, took the stage to share the accomplishments of the Active members throughout the year. This culminated in the announcement of the League's new community project, HER Cincinnati—an initiative poised to make a meaningful impact over the next three to five years.

A true highlight of the luncheon was the recognition of J. J. Wales as the recipient of the 2024 Cookie Nowland Sustainer Award. Presidential Advisor Danielle Deja, eloquently recounted J. J.'s 46 years of unwavering commitment to the JLC and her extensive involvement in community organizations. J. J.'s heartfelt speech of gratitude resonated deeply, earning her a standing ovation from all in attendance—a poignant testament to her profound impact on the League and the community.

As the luncheon drew to a close, it was evident that the bond shared among Sustaining members remains as strong as ever. With anticipation and excitement for the year ahead, the Junior League of Cincinnati looks forward to continuing its service, friendship, and legacy of empowerment in the 2024-2025 programming year.

CURRENT & PAST JLC PRESIDENTS

COOKIE NOWLAND SUSTAINER AWARD WINNER, J. J. WALES, PICTURED WITH HER FAMILY

Junior League of Cincinnati | 11

Appointed

JLC MEMBERS APPOINTED TO GREATER CINCINNATI LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

BY KATIE ZIEGLER, VP OF COMMUNICATIONS

Four exceptional members of the Junior League of Cincinnati are making waves in leadership development!

Rebecca Bryson, Mollie Flynn, Katie Dulle, and Allison Keller have been accepted into prestigious professional development programs within the Greater Cincinnati area, showcasing their commitment to advancing women's leadership and community impact. From the Cincinnati Regional Chamber's C-Change program to the YWCA Rising Stars Equity Leadership Program, these talented individuals are poised to bring back invaluable insights, skills, and connections to drive meaningful change to the League and the community at large. This achievement is a testament to the power of our organization when our trained civic leaders are equipped to elevate their opportunities through programs that further their leadership journey, leaving a lasting impression. These experiences not only enhance their contributions within the Junior League of Cincinnati, but will also prepare them for the vital work they undertake within the organizations we support and beyond.

Rebecca Bryson, JLC Vice President of Community Impact and Vice President, Senior Commercial Credit Advisor at PNC Bank and Mollie Flynn, a dedicated member of our Spring Fundraiser Committee and Director of Communications at the City of Cincinnati, were accepted into the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s C-Change program. The program stands as a beacon for leadership development, catering specifically to mid-career professionals within the Cincinnati region. Its comprehensive curriculum integrates leadership development with community engagement, fostering holistic growth while honing participants' skills for both present and future leadership roles. Notably, participants are also tasked with leading impactful community projects, fostering deeper connections within the region while positively influencing it. Andrea Mersmann, Director of the Leadership Center at the Cincinnati Regional Chamber, noted, “these leaders are molding our region’s future and through C-Change, we get to see them cultivate and refine their impact today, we’re thrilled to be launching our 19th class,” in a recent press release announcing this year’s participants.

Rebecca shared that, "the Cincinnati Chamber's C-Change program is one of the top leadership programs in the City. It is an honor to be selected alongside some of the most impressive young professionals in the City, and I truly believe my leadership experience in the JLC helped me get there. I hope to learn more about managing teams so that I may give the Community Impact Council leaders the tools they need to be their best selves." Mollie shared the same excitement for the program, stating that "The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is well-known for its outstanding leadership programs that benefit both new and experienced professionals. I had considered applying to one of the programs for some time, but had never received the support from my employer until joining the City of Cincinnati. City Manager Sheryl Long is a big proponent of professional development and encouraged me to take part in C-Change. As someone who changed careers after 11 years as a journalist, I was looking for an opportunity to expand my network outside of news and learn how to be a better leader while having a positive impact on my community. I hope to graduate from the program this fall having developed strong relationships with my classmates, a successful project with our partner the Karen Wellington Foundation and to grow into a better leader to serve my employees and the citizens of Cincinnati." Both Rebcca and Mollie are poised to retain invaluable insights from their participation in C-Change, further amplifying their impact within our organization and the broader Greater Cincinnati community.

Rebecca Bryson C-Change

12 | Winter/Spring 2024

Mollie Flynn C-Change

Katie Dulle

YWCA Rising Star

Allison Keller

YWCA Rising Star

Katie Dulle and Allison Keller were accepted into the YWCA Rising Stars Equity Leadership Program, which stands as a catalyst for empowering high-performing women to assume leadership roles with a focus on equity. This transformative experience not only enhances leadership skills but also prepares participants for non-profit board service, all while connecting them to a network of accomplished women leaders. Sessions, led by local and national experts, cover a wide array of topics crucial for personal and professional growth, with a dedicated emphasis on eliminating discrimination and promoting racial and gender equity. Graduates emerge with a coveted "Board and Equity Leader" certification, gaining access to exclusive networking and educational opportunities while being poised to serve on local boards through the YWCA's Board Registry.

Katie Dulle, a current JLC New Member Advisor and the incoming President-Elect, and Program Management professional at Oracle had great insights to share about the program and how she can bring this experience back to the League. “Recognizing that our visions and goals are often shaped by what we see around us, I've come to realize that remote work, while hugely beneficial to me and my family, can limit access to vital mentorship, personal development and interaction with other female leaders,” expressed Katie, “My aspiration for the YWCA Rising Star Equity Leadership Program is to emerge not only with a deeper understanding of Cincinnati's equity landscape but also a network of locally engaged women, practical community engagement and board leadership skills, and the self-awareness to drive impactful change in both my professional and non-profit endeavors.” The Rising Stars program is already underway and Katie shared a little about that experience as well, “Each session of the YWCA program I find myself thinking, ‘We should share this in the League! We should do this training for our members!’ I am actively thinking about how to bring insights and knowledge about equity leadership from this program to our membership through training, workshops, guest speakers, and new partnerships. It's worth noting that I learned about the program from one of our current JLC Board members and YWCA Career Woman of Achievement, Danya Karram. The YWCA champions the motto ‘lift as you climb’ and Danya certainly did that for me. I'm looking forward to doing that for others!” The League is fortunate to have Katie stepping into the role of President-Elect, where these valuable teachings will make a real impact. Allison Keller is a recent Transfer to JLC from the Junior League of Charleston, WV, and Senior Environmental Planner at TC Energy. When asked about why she joined the program, Allison said, “I transferred to the Junior League of Cincinnati in November 2022 from Charleston, WV with my family.

I fully believe in blooming where you are planted. During my time in grad school, I got more and more interested in environmental justice and empowering women in STEM. I applied for the YWCA Rising Stars program to meet fellow like minded ladies and get non-profit board training. I believe in harnessing women’s collective power for lasting impact.” We are excited to welcome Allison into the JLC and learn from her experience in this program.

The JLC is proud of and honored by the acceptance of our esteemed members into these competitive leadership programs that offer invaluable opportunities for our members and the wider community to pursue personal and professional growth. The Cincinnati Regional Chamber's Leadership Center serves as a comprehensive resource hub, providing a range of programs tailored to individuals at every stage of their career, strengthening their connection to the Cincinnati region. Likewise, the YWCA Rising Stars program will begin accepting applications in the Summer of 2024, offering a transformative experience for aspiring leaders. For more information on these specific programs, visit cincinnatichamber.com/leadership-center and ywcacincinnati.org/rising-star-leadership-program.

Are you following the JLC on Social Media?

If you’re at a JLC event and post about it, please tag the JLC We love to share what our members are doing in the community!

Instagram: @jlcincy / Facebook: jlcincinnati / LinkedIn: junior-league-of-cincinnati

Junior League of Cincinnati | 13

JANUARY GMM Attendees heard from our Empowerment Lead Sponsor, Renée Grace Bridal, followed by an interactive learning session with the League’s DEI&B Consultant, Lyne Watts, Founder of Learn, Lead, LIVE LLC. The meeting continued with a vote on the 2024-2025 Leadership Slate.

FEBRUARY GMM + PLACEMENT FAIR New Members gathered before the February GMM to learn about each of the JLC’s Committees to help them navigate spring placement. During the February GMM, we heard from Ashton Spann from the DEI&B Committee with a Black History Month overview, Leslie Touassi, Chair of Program Development with an update on our RFP process, Katie Ziegler, VP of Communications, with an update on our new branding, Emily Haun, EVP-Elect, with a strategic plan mid-year update, and Christina Yardley, Chair of Spring Fundraiser, with exciting details about the upcoming fundraiser, A Night in Monte Carlo!

MARCH GMM During the March GMM we celebrated Women’s History Month and received an update from DEI&B Chair, Deanna Hillard, who unveiled the Cultural Heritage Project. Following the updates, members were treated to an engaging “Legacy of Leadership” panel presented by the Sustainer Council. This panel, curated by Marty Humes and Kathryn Harsh, Co-VPs of the Sustainer Council, featured esteemed past presidents and board members, including Meredith Comin, Jamie Humes, Susan Shelton, and Kathy Wade.

WOMEN’S HEALTHCARE FORUM On Wednesday, March 20th, the JLC hosted a Women’s Healthcare Forum presented by Colorful Cupboard Painting.

The event took place at the Urban League Holloman Center for Social Justice, where attendees learned about perimenopause and menopause from a panel of local women’s healthcare providers.

APRIL GMM The JLC hosted its April General Membership Meeting virtually on April 2nd. Members had the opportunity to hear from our two finalists from our RFP process, HER Cincinnati and Bethany House Services. Leslie Touassi, Chair of Program Development, artfully facilitated the meeting through Zoom after a last-minute pivot due to weather concerns. Following the presentations, attending members voted and HER Cincinnati was announced as our new Community Partner.

A NIGHT IN MONTE CARLO The JLC’s Spring Fundraiser, A Night in Monte Carlo, took place on Saturday, April 13th at the Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance! READ MORE ABOUT THE EVENT ON PAGE 18 14 | Winter/Spring 2024

CANDO EVENTS Members have had opportunities to volunteer with six community partners this League year, including: Saturday Hoops, Mentoring Plus, Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, Bethany House Services, Our Daily Bread, and Survivor Cards.

LITTLE LEAGUERS VP Finance Emily Reinhold's daughter, Jane & Strategic Planning Director, Katie May's son Asher, play at the mid-year Board & EMT Co-Op retreat.

RECRUITMENT EVENTS The Recruitment Committee kicked off prospective member events in January, offering interested women a variety of events to choose from to help them better understand what it means to be a part of the Junior League of Cincinnati.

READ MORE ABOUT THE LEAUGE’S RECRUITMENT EFFORTS ON PAGE 7

SUSTAINER LUNCHEON The 104th Sustainer Luncheon took place at the Cincinnati Country Club on Wednesday, May 1st. Attendees celebrated J. J. Wales, the 2024 Cookie Nowland Award Honoree, enjoyed a delicious lunch and visited with friends old and new.

READ MORE ABOUT THE SUSTAINER LUNCHEON ON PAGE 11

ANNUAL MEETING In garden-themed gathering, JLC Members celebrated the closing of the 104th League year on Tuesday, May 7th. The meeting included acknowledgment of new Sustaining members, the induction of New Members, the commemoration of Member Service Milestones, the annual awards ceremony, a farewell to Family Nurturing Center and an introduction to HER Cincinnati.

READ MORE ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING ON PAGE 8

Check out the JLC Blog regularly for additional great content! bit.ly/JLCblog

Junior League of Cincinnati | 15

ENGAGEMENT SOARS

AMONG MEMBERSHIP WITH DEI&B-FOCUSED EVENTS

BY KATIE ZIEGLER, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATIONS Inclusivity took center stage in the planning efforts of this year's Membership Engagement Committee, dedicated to crafting engaging and memorable events for our members throughout the year. Under the leadership of Chair, Sam Markle, and Vice Chair, Dani Rodriguez, the committee deliberately curated events that aligned with the League's Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEI&B) goals, aiming for greater inclusivity.

Throughout the 2023-2024 League year, over 30% of the events organized by the Membership Engagement Committee were hosted at venues owned by women or minorities across the Greater Cincinnati area. Additionally, events were strategically scheduled at various times and days, offering a diverse range of activities to appeal to a broader spectrum of members. With a total of 25+ events planned, nearly all were fully booked, with a waiting list of enthusiastic women eager to participate.

“Some events like the ones held at MEAS Active, Core Clay, and Nova Candle partnered with woman-owned businesses that not only provide goods and services but also serve as a reminder that women are a main character in our local economy. Part of our mission in the JLC is to develop women and improve communities and Sam & I kept that at the forefront when our committee worked together to plan events,” explained Dani Rodriguez, Vice Chair of Membership Engagement, when asked how the events promoted inclusive engagement.

One notable event held during the spring was hosted at Viva Coffee Roasters in O’Bryonville.

Owner Gerardo Ramos shared insights into how the micro roaster is championing Honduran coffee in his Cincinnati shop, while prioritizing support for woman-owned coffee farms.

Explaining this model of allyship was an important reminder to all who participated, that their everyday spending choices can directly contribute to the success of women, even beyond their own community.

The Membership Engagement Committee is proud of the events that were brought forth this year and views it as a benchmark for the future. The committee is committed to offering a diverse array of inclusive events that resonate with members from various backgrounds, with DEI&B principles integrated into their planning process.

When asked about the importance of centering DEI&B in their initiatives, Dani emphasized that “it is important for the JLC to include such events because it’s an opportunity to showcase small businesses in Cincinnati that are woman/minority-owned that might have otherwise not been on their radar. We want to continue fostering these events that allow women in the League to create meaningful connections while being engaged!”

Looking ahead, Membership Engagement plans to continue embedding DEI&B into their planning processes, recognizing the significance of such committee-level partnerships in nurturing a diverse membership. By upholding the League’s values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, the committee aims to cultivate enriching experiences in our individual, organizational, and community relationships. Exciting plans are already underway for the upcoming year with a promising future of inclusive engagement and collaboration to come.

16 | Winter/Spring 2024

Impactful Experiences UNVEILING THE NEW MEMBER JOURNEY

BY EMILY BAKES, ASSISTANT EDITOR As we delve into the engaging experiences from this year’s New Member class, each individual's journey adds a unique hue to the collective canvas. In this exploration, we will shine a spotlight on varied experiences, including insights from the transformative Personal Branding Workshop, the charm of a team bonding pumpkin patch visit at Hidden Valley Orchards, and the camaraderie forged during Girls Night at Brett Lustenberger's house.

SPOTLIGHT ON TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES: One standout narrative from this year’s New Members class experience emerged from the Personal Branding Workshop that many members, including Jenna Elrod, found exceptionally impactful. Jenna shares, "The content in that workshop was so helpful that it inspired content I used in an interview process. I landed the promotion within my company and started in my new role in January! I've also learned as a mom that I am deserving of time away to be spent with other women who all have the Junior League in common!" Jenna's story is just one facet of the myriad ways our workshops empower members to navigate professional landscapes successfully.

FUN BONDING EXPERIENCES Amidst the professional growth, there is joy in the shared experiences, such as our group bonding event at the pumpkin patch at Hidden Valley Orchards and the delightful Girls Night at Brett Lustenberger’s house. In addition, our group bonding event at Cooper's Hawk allowed us to gather over good food and drinks. We even tried our hand at crafts at the Thanksgiving Calligraphy for Beginners event hosted by Sip & Script at Bridal by Amanda! As a New Member Advisor, I reflected on these fun events planned by our New Member group. These events exemplified the genuine connections formed beyond structured events, fostering a sense of community and friendship that is as integral as professional growth.

INSIGHTS FROM ALLISON Allison Dardinger reflected on her New Member year as “an incredible journey of excitement and growth.” She notes, “among the variety of memorable experiences, a few truly stand out." Exploring the Columbia Center has provided Allison with a deepened appreciation for the organization’s rich history and the impact of partnership, collaboration, and League initiatives. Volunteering with CandO at the Family Nurturing Center and Saturday Hoops has been incredibly rewarding, leaving her with a profound sense of fulfillment and gratitude. Small Group Connections, featuring activities like the Compliment Circle, a flower arrangement session, and a delightful Favorite Things party, have strengthened the bonds within Allison's small group, fostering a profound sense of camaraderie and belonging. Allison notes: “Every gathering with Junior League members has been marked by meaningful conversations, genuine connections, and contagious laughter. These continuous moments of unity and fellowship have enriched my new member experience, leaving me eager to continue my journey of service and personal growth within this remarkable organization!”

In celebrating the New Member class, we recognize the richness of each story. Whether it's the transformative impact of workshops, the joy of shared outings, or the warmth of informal gatherings, these diverse experiences contribute to the vibrant tapestry of our community, shaping a collective narrative that goes beyond individual journeys.

NEW MEMBER ADVISOR, EMILY BAKES, WITH HER NEW MEMBER GROUP Junior League of Cincinnati | 17

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N I G H T

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MONTE CARLO FUNDRAISER EXCEEDS REVENUE GOAL

BY KIMBERLY PERROS, CONTENT WRITER For 2024, the Spring Fundraiser committee proposed a new theme in lieu of the traditional spring fashion show. A Night in Monte Carlo was hosted at The Cincinnati Ballet Margaret and Michael Valentine Center for Dance included gambling and entertainment for a fun-filled event. Members and non-members alike attended and made the event a huge success. Christina Yardley, Chair of the Spring Fundraiser Committee, shared how the projected revenue goal for the event was exceeded by over $10,000!

Positive changes made by the Spring Fundraiser Committee gave this year’s event glowing reviews.

Christina shared the details behind planning and preparation to make the new concept outstanding and memorable. The Presenting Sponsors were Chemed Foundation, The Sheila Jake Home Foundation, and Renee Grace Bridal. Several in-kind sponsors provided support as well, thank you to Courtenay Lambert Floral & Event Design, Robin Wood Flowers, Skyline Chili for the late-night bites, photographers, Reinvented Media and Blackbird Photography and DJ Ishan Ghildyal. Cincinnati Circus led the game-play, teaching members and guests tips and tricks on blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em and more. Mojo Smoke offered cigars for purchase and Taylor Healey Jewelry invited guests to have their diamonds cleaned on-site to sparkle throughout the evening. Christina mentioned how this year’s DJ, Dreaming of the Island, created a vibe with the background music for the event. Several JLC members and their families purchased sponsor and hostess-level tickets to help support the event. Behind-the-scenes help was provided with collaboration from the Communications Council. Katie Ziegler, VP of Communications, designed the logo and digital program, while the Online Committee set up ticket sales on the JLC website and made ongoing updates to the fundraiser landing page. The Marketing Committee promoted the event on social media, which brought in a lot of additional ticket sales.

This year’s event had an increase in ticket sales as JLC members extended more invitations to friends, family, and partners to the new event. Based on post-event survey feedback, "Members really enjoyed the unique Cincinnati Ballet venue space, and had a great time gambling and learning to play new games with Cincinnati Circus. They also were thrilled to include their partners and spouses with the more inclusive theme, allowing them to meet their League friends and learn more about the organization they support." Monte Carlo offered special areas for gambling, food, and a silent auction. The gambling room included exciting games of Texas hold 'em, black jack and craps. The food provided at the event was a buffet-style dinner provided by Village Pantry Catering.

The Cincinnati Ballet were great partners in planning, generously supporting the JLC’s plans to host in the new space. Christina shared, “We hope to host at the ballet’s space again next year since it was so wonderful.” A full collection of photos from the event are available on the JLC Facebook page.

Thank you to Jess at Blackbird Photography and Alexis Shoffstall at Reinvented.Media for capturing this event.

18 | Winter/Spring 2024

183 tickets sold

BY THE NUMBERS $52k raised SPONSORS

THE SHEILA JAKE HOME FOUNDATION Kathryn, Keith & Mary Frances Harsh Susan, Russ & Madeleine Shelton Jenifer Siegel The Paul Homan Family

Megan Anaker Casey Burleigh Morgan Busam-Thomas Erinn R. M. Carlson Bess Ganeff Camille Healy

Alexis Krulcik Catherine Lentz Kate Molinsky Brooke Olson René Robers Keke Sansalone Mary Taliaferro

Kelly Barber Beth Berkowitz Megan Busam Brian Cerchio Sarah C. Clark Meredith Comin

Danielle Deja Saralou Durham Emily Haun Marty Humes Tara Mosley Valerie Newell Dionn Tron

VENDORS

Junior League of Cincinnati | 19

The Price is Right WITH RENÉE GRACE BRIDAL

Did you see Katie May and Meggan Thompson modeling these gorgeous Renée Grace Bridal gowns at the Spring Fundraiser, A Night in Monte Carlo?

Attendees had the opportunity to guess the price of each of these beautiful gowns during the fundraiser. Read more below about each of these fantastic designs!

Katie May’s gown, Lucy, is the perfect dress for the subtle, romantic bride. She features a straight across, strapless neckline with the slightest dip, creating the most subtle sweetheart. Her flowing A-line skirt with a slit emphasizes the bride's waist, while elongating her features as well. Lucy's removable puff sleeves add a touch of whimsy.

Fabricated in a beautiful silk blend cloque brocade that is sure to catch the air as the bride walks down the aisle. This gown is perfect for the summer bride.

Retail price: $3,900

Meggan Thompson’s wedding gown is a vision of ethereal beauty, featuring a draped bodice adorned with delicate spaghetti straps that gracefully frame the shoulders. Its bias-cut skirt cascades with fluidity, skimming the body's curves with a mesmerizing allure. At the back, a corset tie adds a touch of romance while ensuring a perfect fit, as luxurious charmeuse fabric drapes elegantly, imbuing the gown with a radiant sheen.

This masterpiece seamlessly combines timeless sophistication with modern sensibility, captivating all with its enchanting charm and undeniable allure.

Retail price: $2,750

20 | Winter/Spring 2024

KATIE MAY (LEFT) AND MEGGAN THOMPSON (RIGHT)

BOOK DISCUSSION EXPANDS DEI&B AWARENESS

BY EMILY BAKES, ASSISTANT EDITOR The DEI&B Committee hosted a book study for JLC members to engage in a profound journey through the chapters of "Take My Hand" by Dr. PerkinsValdez. This novel, inspired by the actual events of the Relf sisters, offers a poignant narrative that not only explores historical events but also encourages readers to ponder the lasting impact of past injustices on present-day society.

The stage is set in 1973 Montgomery, Alabama, as the story follows the harrowing experience of sisters, Erica and India, aged 14 and 16, who were subjected to forced sterilization. Their experience sparked a legal battle that exposed the systemic sterilization practices targeting Black and Indigenous women. Dr. Perkins-Valdez skillfully navigates this historical landscape, interlinking themes of allyship, systemic racism in healthcare, poverty, and the intricate layers of identity in the aftermath of Jim Crow.

Structured around these pivotal themes, the book study session became a platform for meaningful dialogue and introspection. Members engaged in reflective discussions on allyship, advocacy, the dangers of othering, and the complexities of race, class, and healthcare access. In addition, the narrative prompted contemplation on motherhood, family bonds, community resilience, and the impact of mental health challenges.

During the book discussion, members were encouraged to draw parallels between the narrative and their own lives.

Questions such as, "What lessons from this book do you wish to apply in your life?" and "What aspects of this story will you explore further?" which prompted contemplation and personal growth. Jenny Mauch, Vice Chair of DEIB, shares, "I fell in love with Take My Hand when I first read it because of the multitude of lessons it offers. The events of the novel offer a glimpse into the shameful and racist practice of forced sterilization - but the way that the author layers the characters allows us to reflect on the lessons that we can still learn and apply today. It is an amazing novel that educates and also encourages you to reflect on your own approach to advocacy, allyship and love. I loved being able to connect with other JLC women to learn and reflect together."

A notable observation from the session was the visible sense of engagement and vulnerability among members. Despite the magnitude of the subject matter, there was a consensus of hope as individuals shared their perspectives and embraced difficult truths. The group’s willingness to confront injustices underscored the transformative power of literature in fostering empathy, understanding, and action.

"Take My Hand" is a profound reminder of history's enduring impact on the present. By engaging with literature that sheds light on past injustices and their repercussions, individuals are empowered to challenge systemic inequities and initiate positive change. As evidenced in the book study session, genuine conversations together with a commitment to action have the potential to drive real change on a personal and systemic level.

The JLC created a DEIB Little Library at the Columbia Center earlier this year. Members are encouraged to check out books from the bookshelf in the lobby at any time! If you missed the opportunity to read this engaging novel during the book study, it is available to borrow through the DEIB Little Library. The library is also accepting donations to the library through its Amazon Wishlist which can be found at bit.ly/DEIB-Library.

Junior League of Cincinnati | 21

Family Volunteer Day

BY RENÉ ROBERS, PRESIDENT

It’s said that volunteers don’t always have the time, but they have the heart - and our families are at the center of our hearts. For the dedicated time we as members spend volunteering with the Junior League, our families support our passion and interests in giving back - but they do not always have the chance to see what we do and understand the work and the impact we make. This spring, we brought back Family Volunteer Day, an annual initiative we practiced pre-COVID, for a fun day with our families at Columbia Center to experience the magic of the Junior League together!

On a Saturday morning in April, members met at Columbia Center with their children of ages varying from 3 to 12 years old to learn more about the JLC and our community partners.

We welcomed our “Little Leaguers” by introducing ourselves and sharing a fun fact, to break the ice and also help them see what connection and meeting new people is like, just like for members! We grounded ourselves in the mission and values, and talked about who we are - volunteers, helpers, leaders, friends - and what we do - training, collaboration, community service, fundraising and having fun!

The highlight of the event was the hands-on volunteering activities. Attendees had the opportunity to decorate snack bags for Family Nurturing Center with cool stickers, fun designs and kind words, to be donated for kids who have visits with their parents or to take home as a special treat; we then packed the bags with juice, crackers, pouches & more.

Additionally, we created “Milestone Moments” cards for children at Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Cincinnati - these are used to provide a way for families to celebrate moments in the health and healing journey with their critically ill children, reminding them that people they haven’t met care about them. The surprise and joy on the faces of the volunteer staff at Ronald McDonald House when we delivered these beautifully creative cards was so touching!

22 | Winter/Spring 2024

Following our volunteer activities, we enjoyed playing upstairs in the new “Little Leaguers Loft” followed by snack time and sharing our experiences of what we learned and enjoyed that day.

As the first JLC president who is a mom in 5 years, it was important to me to showcase to our members that we understand how important it is to meet them where they are in this season of life, with littles bedtime routines falling during the same hours as GMMs or committee meetings, and why it’s important to for us to make it meaningful and worth their time at the JLC when they are away for their families. We are hopeful that this fun and engaging experience helped their children better understand what it means to volunteer and give back to the community, to understand what Mom is up to when she says she is at the Junior League, and to build a sense of pride for their parents in the work that they do as civic leaders.

We look forward to continuing to bring back this tradition next year, and welcome ideas for ways in which we can engage our children and support our community partners together.

Member

MILESTONES

CARRIE VANDERZEE

BETH BERKOWITZ

JLC Sustainer Carrie VanDerzee and her family are the new owners, editors and publishers of The Blue Book of Cincinnati. Published since 1890, it is one of the oldest subscription social registers in America.

Beth Berkowitz has joined the law firm of Santen & Hughes, a full-service Cincinnati law firm that has been helping clients for over 65 years. Beth focuses her practice on Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law.

ALLISON KELLER

MARLEA RAVELING

Allison Keller graduated with her Master of Science in Environmental Science, concentrating in Hydrology & Water Management from Gallogy College of Engineering, University of Oklahoma on May 11th, 2024.

Marlea and Alan welcomed their first daughter, Kinsley Elise, on Janurary 25, 2024.

Submit Your Milestone We love to celebrate you! Share your promotions, retirements, awards & nominations, new babies, engagements, weddings, and other milestones! Submit your milestone by logging into the JLC member site at members.jlcincinnati.org.

Junior League of Cincinnati | 23

3500 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226