Spring 2020 Perspectives

Perspectives

MAGAZINE OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF CINCINNATI

SPRING 2020

Centennial Gala The Centennial Gala, held at the Music Hall Ballroom, honored the League’s 100 year history and legacy

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Making Career Connections through the League

Kids on the Block: From the Archives to Today

An inspiring story of how one member changed her career trajectory through connections made in the Junior League of Cincinnati

Shedding light on the hard topics, from disabilities to abuse, Kids on the Block opens dialogue for children going on 43 years

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In this issue 3 4 6 7 8

President’s Perspective The Centennial Gala: Honoring 100 Years of History and Continuing Our Legacy Sparking Awareness with “Ask Me About My Dress” Making Career Connections through the League A Celebration of Growth - Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank Updates

9 From the Archives: Kids On The Block 10 Update on Centennial Campaign 13 The Junior League of Cincinnati through COVID-19 14 Thank You to the 2019-2020 Annual Fund Donors 15 Member Milestones

Your Perspectives Team

Managing Editor Assistant Editor Writer Writer Charlotte R. Eichman Andrea Buschmiller Kourtney P. Brueckner Elizabeth Longaberger

Writer Kelly Saylor

Thank You The Perspectives Committee would like to extend our gratitude to the many women who volunteered their time, knowledge, opinions, and experiences to make this issue possible.

Writer Carrie M. Starts

Contributers: Lauren Gonzalez

VP Communications Photographers: Amber Bridges and Chelsea Zesch Chelsea Zesch

The Junior League of Cincinnati is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Perspectives is the magazine of the Junior League of Cincinnati, published multiple times throughout the year. Past issues and advertising rates can be found online at www.jlcincinnati.org.

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

JLCincinnati

JLCincy

JLCincy

Junior League of Cincinnati, 3500 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, Ohio 45226 • 513.871.9339 • www.jlcincinnati.org

President’s Perspective Dear JLC members and friends, We have experienced a spring like no other this year. How quickly the world changed as the COVID-19 pandemic forced all of us to reevaluate the lives we are living. I am sincerely grateful to each of you for adapting alongside us and continuously raising a hand to offer help. In the midst of working to stay safe and healthy, the veil of racial inequities that are pervasive in our cities and our countries was raised once again.

One of our core values as an organization is our belief that lasting societal change is achieved through collaboration. Now more than ever before, it is crucial to be listening to one another, to be learning from and supporting our Black members as well as all members of color, and to hold ourselves accountable to being an authentic ally in this fight for justice.

The 100th year of the Junior League of Cincinnati has been momentous for so many reasons.

Members have shown their commitment in a multitude of ways, from supporting our Centennial Campaign, preparing for the AJLI Annual Conference, celebrating our Centennial Gala and the continued work on raising awareness from The Little Black Dress Initiative to Sweet Cheeks and Tidal Babe. There is a clear dedication that we are all engaged in purposeful work both inside the JLC and outside in our community. If you attended our virtual April GMM, you heard more about our new strategic plan and at its core are five very important pillars: Culture, Community, Cultivate, Change, Care. These pillars are what we plan to weave throughout every facet of the JLC. There will be purposeful

offerings and continued training on how important it is that we step into the ownership of who we are. Though we have accomplished so much this year, there is still work to be done.

From enhancing the civic fabric of Greater Cincinnati, to expanding and building a diverse memb er ship that reflects our community, we can continue building an organization positioned for success in the next 100 years.

As we find ourselves in unprecedented times, we must step up, speak out and continue to lead with grace, compassion and integrity.

Thank you for your passionate commitment to the JLC and never wavering on the ability to rise to the occasion no matter how big the occasion gets.

All my gratitude,

Meredith L. Comin JLC President

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The Centennial Gala: Honoring 100 Years of History and Continuing Our Legacy

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s our glasses came together to cheers in celebration, lights, laughter, music, and positivity filled the room.

The JLC Centennial Gala: Gems of the Queen City was a night to remember. It was an evening to look back and to look forward. It was a night shared with the women who helped shape our past and the women who will propel us into the future. Our League values filled the room on the faces of attendees wearing stunning dresses and beautiful smiles.

The Gala took place on March 7, 2020 at Music Hall Ballroom. As guests entered the event space, they were greeted by an enchanting display of crystals cascading from the ceiling that surrounded a large display of white flowers. As they glanced up, the ceiling sparkled with gems. The entire room symbolized the true magic and elegance of the last 100 years. Dinner was provided by Eat Well utilizing recipes from past JLC cookbooks, and a night of dancing to music by the Sly Band kept the event lively. The evening enjoyed many special birthday touches, culminating in a serenade of “Happy Birthday” by the entire ballroom. After the serenade, guests enjoyed minicupcakes served from a giant dress structure. The night was made possible by our event sponsors Fifth Third Bank, TQL Foundation, and Cincinnati Museum Center, as well as in-kind sponsors Krombholz Jewelers and Kroger Floral, and Prestige AV & Creative Services.

Nearly 500 guests attended the Gala, comprised of approximately 300 League members and 200 non-League attendees. The Emcee for the evening was current League member, Miss Ohio, Caroline Grace Williams. Guests participated in two raffles, one for beautiful gems valued at $50-$1,500 that were donated by Krombholz Jewelers and a prize raffle that included almost 100 items donated from local companies and League members. There was also a jewelry raffle in which the winner won a $5,000 piece of jewelry from Krombholz Jewelers.

have and will continue to accomplish together. The night left us with a magical vision of women holding hands and staring into the future. What a bright light our past shines onto the path before us.

President, Meredith Comin, speaks at the Gala.

Guests enjoy dancing to the music by the Sly Band at the Gala.

When asked about the most rewarding part of planning the celebration, Gala Co-Chair Kathryn Harsh reflected that, “the most rewarding part was seeing the whole event come together beautifully and everyone having a great time!” She attributed the success of the event to the amazing team of Actives and Sustainers who spent over a year planning the event, as well as the fantastic team of professionals and sponsors who assisted every step of the way. The Gala exceeded its fundraising goal, netting over $100,000, with all funds benefiting the JLC and its mission.

The joint effort that came together to create every last captivating detail was a wonderful reminder of what we #JLCincy | 4

Centennial Planning Committee

Centennial Gala In March the League hosted its Centennial Gala, an epic celebration to commemorate the 100th year of the Junior League of Cincinnati. League members and the public gathered at the historic Cincinnati Music Hall for a glamorous evening of food, libations, and dancing. Guests enjoyed dinner by Eat Well, an open bar, music from the the Sly Band, and a jewelry raffle.

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Sparking Awareness: “Ask Me About My Dress”

By KELLY SAYLOR

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n 2014 the Little Black Dress Initiative (LBDI) was founded by the Junior League of London to raise awareness about how those with financial struggles have limited choices and resources. For five consecutive days, advocates wear one black dress or outfit to initiate conversations and awareness about poverty and the issues faced. This year’s New Member class held the LBDI from February 24th through the 28th.

The LBDI included multiple events, such as a fundraiser held at the LOCOBA by Platform Brewery, at which one dollar for every pint sold that evening was donated by the venue. The New Members also hosted a wine tasting fundraiser at LouVino and held a donation drive for hygiene products and dry food goods for St. Vincent de Paul. Additionally, the New Members spent the week raising awareness about poverty in the Greater Cincinnati area by posting on social media, wearing pins that said “Ask Me About My Dress.” New Members prompted their network to donate for the benefit of JLC and St. Vincent de Paul, and wore the same outfit for all five days that week to educate their family, friends, colleagues, and beyond about LBDI. The LBDI campaign raised funds and collected donations.

Beyond raising community awareness and donations, New Members were able to see first-hand the struggles of poverty in our community by participating in a poverty simulation at St. Vincent de Paul, which gave them a better handle on local resources available to combat poverty and the complexity of the issue itself. In this simulation, the New Members partner with St. Vincent de Paul, who assigns each New Member an identity of a person experiencing poverty that has come to SVDP for assistance. During this, the New Members get a brief look into some everyday challenges such as: being elderly and without a network of resources or loved one, difficulties with child care while also pursuing advancement within education or a job, those that are returning citizens that have a felony conviction, and more. .

Design Impact partnered with the JLC in years past to create a curriculum unique to the JLC experience, one that continues in the League today. The Design Impact materials are a resource for volunteer training and how to use our emotional intelligence to connect with fellow JLC members and the community. The materials also help facilitate brainstorming broad issues and identify short and long term solutions. The intention is that these trainings prepare New Members to effectively partner with the community and tackle issues through dialogue and action. On the whole, the 2020 LBDI program once again culminated in a successful effort to raise awareness of the impact of generational poverty on women and children. #JLCincy | 6

Making Career Connections through the League

By LAUREN GONZALEZ

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hey say that upwards of 70% of jobs are found through networking. When this is coupled with belonging to an organization of women who truly care about lifting you up, you realize that your potential is limitless.

I joined the Junior League of Cincinnati in 2016, after moving to Cincinnati from Miami, Florida to work as a patent attorney with The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G).

My undergraduate degrees in chemistry, finance, and international business made me a prime candidate to be a patent attorney; however, I quickly realized that my true passion was to work in corporate transactions.

Although I sought out mentors at P&G, and I made it very apparent that my desire was to be rotated into the corporate transactions group, it became clear to me that I was not going to be able to practice the area of law I had always wanted.

I remember asking myself, “Where can I cultivate the skills I need to best position me for where I want to be?” My mind immediately went to the League. I remember approaching Vicki Calogne and Tara Noland asking if there was an open position on the Finance Committee. There was not, but several weeks later Vicki called to ask regarding my interest in working as the Administrator of the Endowment.

Through my role on the Endowment, I developed a relationship with Sustainer Valerie Newell, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Endowment and a Principal at Mariner Wealth Advisors. Those who know Valerie will tell you she is one of the most accomplished women both in Cincinnati and nationally and that she is a person who builds up those around her. I experienced this firsthand when Valerie pulled me aside one day and told me she thought I might be better suited in a corporate transactions role. It was as if she had read my mind.

Valerie immediately started making calls and sending emails, introducing me to law firms with whom she thought I would make a great match. One such match was with Graydon Head & Ritchey LLP (Graydon), the oldest full-service law firm in Cincinnati. My first meeting with Graydon felt like fate and now, eight months later, I could not be happier working as a Corporate Associate on mergers, acquisitions, sales, corporate governance, and other corporate and financial work. I will be forever grateful to Valerie and to the League for helping me get to where I am and the relationships I’ve built and the skills I learned along the way.

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Lauren’s Top 5 Tips for Women Seeking a Mentor: •

Do not be afraid to put yourself out there.

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If you feel you are lacking in a certain area of your life, reach out to those in the League. Their support and advice is invaluable.

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Always give 100% of your effort and energy, especially when someone is making an effort through their professional relationships for you.

•

Be mindful and deliberative of those you seek to network with and be respectful of their time.

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Always bring other women up just as those women who came before you have done for you.

A Celebration of Growth: The League’s Partnership with Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank

By CARRIE M. STARTS

Score values, purpose, complementary strengths,

uccessful partnerships share an alignment of

communication, and strategic planning. This is what the Junior League of Cincinnati found in its partnership with Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank, and there is no question that the partnership has thrived as a result. Since the inception of the partnership, the League has invested over 3,000 volunteer hours, led and participated in diaper wrappings, organized diaper drives, transported diaper donations, created a Potty-Training Tool Kit to assist in eliminating diaper need, assisted with filling orders for Tidal Babe Period Bank, and planned and volunteered for multiple fundraising events.

Most recently, Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank held its annual fundraiser on February 22, 2020. A Mardi Gras party was held at the nonprofit’s headquarters on State Street, the 10,000 square-foot warehouse purchased since its partnership with the JLC began. Vice Chair of Program

Acceleration Rebecca Bryson served as the event’s Sponsorship Chair and raised $24,500 in sponsorship funds. Members Katie Fisher and Bridget Fantaci served as Raffle and Silent Auction Chairs, compiling around 24 baskets and 10 silent auction items. JLC members assisted in setting up and working the event as well assisting with social media.

The event opened with a VIP cocktail hour followed by a short program, dinner by J. Gumbos, beer by Rhinegeist, and music by Q102. It was a celebration of the success of Sweet Cheeks since its inception and its distribution of 1,550,590 diapers in 2019. Overall, the event raised $49,000 which will contribute to the ongoing difference Sweet Cheeks is making. There is no doubt, it has been quite an exciting three years for this partnership and we are excited for what next year holds.

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Kids on the Block: From the Archives to Today By: ELIZABETH LONGABERGER he Junior League of Cincinnati became a program T partner of Kids on the Block in 1986. Nearly a decade before, Kids on the Block was founded in Washington,

D.C. as an initial effort to educate children about cerebral palsy. The program was started after the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, also known as the Mainstreaming Law, was passed. Over the past 43 years, the nonprofit organization has expanded its mission to include many disabilities and other differences.

Today, Kids on the Block provides dynamic, interactive performances using life-size puppets to educate children about child abuse and neglect.

The League contributed an initial grant of $2,800 to start the program locally so the organization could purchase the puppets and copyrighted scripts. League members at the time actually presented the program to area school children. League Sustainer, Mary Lee Olinger, was very active in the initial launch of Kids on the Block, serving passionately as chairman of the program from 1986-87. Olinger shared in a 1986 Perspectives article that “...humor is very important. None of the puppets are depressed or afraid of what to say.” As the puppeteers answer these questions with humor and poise, it really helped to guide the young children on how to interact with classmates and peers with disabilities.

with a talk to the children, offering to answer questions and clarify any of the information. Kids on the Block is a very special, ongoing program that connects all people, including people with and without disabilities, the abused and the non-abused, and children and adults.

The League’s Centennial History Committee Co-Chair, Lisa Dye, recently found two Kids on the Block puppets that were straight from the manufacturer in New York City, brand new, and never before used. Lisa received permission from the League to offer the puppets to the local chapter of Kids on the Block. One of the puppeteers told Lisa that the organization was so excited because the puppets are so expensive to purchase. The puppets that Kids on the Block have been using have been mended and worked on many times, and the local chapter did not have enough funds in its budget for new puppets.

Lisa mentioned that this donation was the most visibly rewarding out of all her archival work. She was so happy to see the puppets being put to great use for many more years to come!

The League’s efforts provided a very important program delivering a vital message to children. For many years, the puppet shows included five of the same main characters across the world. These characters included Mark Riley, a twelve-year-old boy with cerebral palsy; Renaldo Rodrigeuz, who was almost totally blind; Mandy Puccini, a twelve-year-old girl without hearing; Stephen Arthurs, a nine-year-old physically abused child; and Stephen’s best friend, Nguyen Huy Nam, a Vietnamese boy who talked about being from a different culture. The shows included non-disabled children as well to show the children how to react in real scenarios.

Today, over 20,000 children a year engage with the puppeteers show. Jane Herms, the executive director of the Family Nurturing Center, a non-profit social service agency focusing on ending child abuse, shared that “the program includes different skits in which the puppets discuss their personal stories regarding both physical and sexual abuse.” There are three puppets, Stephen, Nam, and Joanne, who “dispel myths and provide nonthreatening, factual information.” The puppeteers are dressed in modern-day clothing and end the performance

JLC Building Supervisor, Anthony Gregory holds a puppet from the Kids on the Block Program at the Columbia Center.

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Centennial Fundraising Campaign Harnessing Skills & the Spirit of Giving Now and in Future Dear Friends, A year ago we were beginning our first conversations with donors, with an important goal in mind: to raise $1M in honor of the JLC’s 100th Anniversary. Our feasibility study conducted in 2018 demonstrated a clear path forward to raise the funds and re-engage donors while providing training in fundraising skills as part of the process.

Our campaign cabinet was composed of both Active and Sustaining members, with training sessions provided by our professional fundraising counsel for our teams during each phase of the fundraising effort. All of us pulled together to form new friendships and re-ignite existing ones while honing our fundraising skills.

As part of the campaign effort, we have updated our donor database to ensure that it can be easily accessed going forward.

Strong data will be invaluable information as we do any fundraising, but most importantly, as we work to improve the outcomes of our annual fund effort in years to come.

Early on, grants from five foundations were secured, affirming the community’s willingness to support and honor our rich history of outreach to the greater community. Community support was important and provided the foundation of our fundraising efforts and certainly gave credibility to the campaign effort.

Personal connection has been a driving force behind our campaign, and we’re delighted to say that we reached out directly to nearly 90% of the League membership through more than 200 in-person meetings and personal phone calls, followed by nearly 600 contacts during our “All In!” phone-banking phase, and finally the remaining members through personal written appeals and as part of our membership renewal process. The process has truly been an extraordinary undertaking and was accomplished by more than 80 League members who volunteered to participate in the fundraising effort in some way.

$950,000 raised against our goal of $1M

YEARS OF SERVICE

There’s still time to make a multi-year pledge or a one-time gift!

Give online: jlcincinnati.org/centennialcampaign Contact us: campaign@jlcincinnati.org or 513.871.9339

Looking Forward: Areas to Be Funded Funds raised will enhance training and will allow for valuable curriculum to be developed and more leadership training tracks to be offered to JLC members.

Contributions will ensure projects can provide a permanent program development cycle as well as nonprofit incubation.

Investing in Columbia Center as our greatest physical asset improves both the membership and rental experience.

Our increased Endowment will strengthen our financial foundation to allow for more mission based spending, better training programs, and greater membership sustainability.

Foundations

To date 257 donors have responded to the campaign. Although we are approaching the end of the campaign, there is still time to participate with your gift prior to our donor recognition deadline of July 1.

We plan to honor our donors with a reception as part of the September general meeting. The first meeting of a new League century is a fitting opportunity to celebrate and announce our final amount raised.

We are so grateful you have taken this journey with us. Thank you for believing in the united resonance of women’s voices. Thank you for empowering the next 100 years of visionary civic leaders and for honoring our past and defining our future.

The John Hauck Foundation, Fifth Third Bank, John W. Hauck and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees. in honor of Janet Hauck, Sandy Elliott, and Paula Wharton The H.B., E.W. and F.R. Luther Charitable Foundation, Fifth Third Bank and Narley L. Haley, Co-Trustees.

In gratitude,

Digi F. Schueler Campaign Co-Chair #JLCincy | 10

Lauren Bosse Campaign Co-Chair

Katie Hayden Gamber Campaign Co-Chair

Megan Stacey Campaign Co-Chair

Thank you to our donors for honoring our past and defining our future Individual Giving Visionaries Ellie & Jim Berghausen Trish & Rick Bryan Pepper Family Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Digi & Mike Schueler

Community Leaders Missy Byrne Melanie Chavez Barbara J. Fitch Carrie Hayden & Katie Hayden Gamber Marty & Jamie Humes

Champions Lauren Bosse Vicki Marsala Calonge Christopher C. & Sheila J. Cole Fund Lee D. Crooks Amelia Crutcher Sandy Donovan Saralou Durham Linda C. Fath Meredith Edwards Ficks Carolyn Fovel Lynn Pulsfort Larson & Don Larson Valerie L. Newell Marilyn Osborn Margaret Richards Nancy R. Gottschalk Charitable Foundation (given by Nancy Gottschalk, Buffie Rixey, and Sarah Pharr)

Susan & Russ Shelton Laura Skidmore Megan Stacey Reba & Al St. Clair Chris & Paul Stubbins Ms. Lauren A. Thaman Anne D. Thomas Priscilla & Les Ungers

New Century Club Marge Anderson Susan Shelly Anthony Cheryl & J.P. Brackman Adele M. Craft Myrita Craig & Dr. Peter Margolis Judy & Chris Dalambakis Mo Dunne Molly E. Flanagan Susan Holzapfel Ginny & Anna Kuertz Suzanne & Steve Lakamp Shannon & Kei Lawson Tara & Zac Noland Ellen Miller Kate Molinsky Ginny & Chuck Myer Mr. & Mrs. James L. Pease, III Keke Sansalone Anonymous Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation in memory of Eva Jane Romaine Coombe

Martha & Gary Steier Dionn Tron Lucy Ward Frank & Rosemary Welsh Ellen Zemke

2020 Society Anonymous Nancy Reed Aichholz Julie Albright & Brian Haas Kelly Barber Jan Patterson Bartel Alison Bushman Angela Carl Cathryn Carmichael Elizabeth Colohan Meredith L. Comin Kathryn G. DeNicola Jane & Igor Dumbadze Mrs. Emily Emeneker Bobbie H. Ford Janice Hartman Lisa Hubbard Mary E. Ivers Jane Johnson Richard & Lisa Kagan Danya & Michael Karram Jan Kiefhaber Lori Rosekrans Klinedinst Mrs. John K. Krieg Nazly Mamedova Minda Matthews-Smith Lauren Solimine Tara Mosley Cynthia Sheakley Muhlhauser Mr. & Mrs. Bill Poffenberger Lori Poole Karen P. Post René Robers Jen Schuster Meghan Seitz J.J. & Ross Wales Jamie Williams Abby Workman

Friends Judy Adams Romola N. Allen Anonymous Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Nicole Antonini Susan Arnold Melissa Barclay Darci Beattie Nicki Beckett Jane K. Bennett Emily Bergmann Elizabeth Berkowitz Susan Bierer Sam Bodner

Mykol Bolden Sadie Bonifas Sandra Brady Mary Anne & Thomas Brennan Rebecca L. Bryson Erica Burns Deborah Hoopingarner Cass Stephanie Chapman Kerrie Rose Clark Sarah Clark Susan & Burton Closson Sara Cooperrider Carol H. Conlan Beth Crowl Patricia A. Culp Bonnie Daniel Stephanie DeFalco Danielle Deja Jeri Duncan Aileen Eckert Joany Ellsworth Bridget Fantaci Scott & MaryEllen Farrell Lauren Ferrell Barbara & John Fillion Kate Fortlage Nancy Fuller Nancy Jane Gaffney Brenda Ganulin Lauren Christine Gonzalez Elizabeth Hahm Kylie Hartman Nancy Hartman Kelly Haseotes Emily J. Haun Mary Hensel Brooke Hiltz Laura Jane Hinkel The Barbara and Richard Homlar Charitable Foundation Katie Hooker Katie Hotze Katie Hushebeck-Schneider Judy Imhoff Barbara Jaymont Jane Johnson Sarah Raup Johnson Amy Jo Jones Lois McConnell Jones Junior League Gardeners Amy Kattman Dorian Kern Fran Kohl Janie Koppenhoefer Marilyn & Mike Kremzar Allison Kropp Martine Lamy Peggy H. Landes Mrs. Raymond G. Laubenthal Vicky & Ted Leavitt M. Drue Lehmann

Christine Lewis Whitney Lonnemann Jo Ann Luttenegger Carol MacGregor Wendy Wilson Mambort Peg Mathile Laura Menge Leslie & Chris Michel Lucy S. Milligan Meredith Meyer Eleanor & Gary Moffat Jo Moore Emma Morehart Marjorie Motch Joyce Mueller Mary Lou Mueller Jane Muindi Lisa Nolan Kailen Nowik Michael & Brooke Olson Alexandra Ollinger Allison Papathanas Leslie Pennell Anne Petrocelli Carol K. Philpott Lizzie V. Polston Nicole Portal-Velarde & Andres Velarde Sarah E. Rieger Erika Robbe Jessica Robinson Lindsay Rorick Cinny & Bruce Roy Emily Ryan Erin Savage-Weaver Katie Schneider Judy Sheakley Mina Shen Deanna Sicking Jennifer Von Deylen Simon Mr. & Mrs. Ian & Allison Smith Linda J. Smith Mrs. Sarah Stem Susan Strick Kelly Snyder Erin Timmerding Cicely N. Tingle Emily Thobe Sally Wood Thomson Leslie Touassi Susan Ferrell Troller Abby Tuke Lauren H. Vogelpohl Lisa Williams Comfort Wendel Erika Wera Katherine Wilkinson Pamela Wise Don & Carol Wuebbling Maggie Wuellner Chelsea Zesch

In Honor & Memorium Christopher C. and Sheila J. Cole Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation in honor of Kathleen McDonald Jones

Allison Kropp in honor of Melanie Chavez & Keke Sansalone

This listing encompasses confirmed pledges received by May 1, 2020. If you have not yet confirmed your pledge amount, please contact us at campaign@jlcincinnati.org or 513.871.9339.

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The League through COVID-19 Dear Friends of the JLC, As you know, this is the League’s Centennial year, and our nearly 1,000 members had plans for a myriad of dynamic events to honor this legacy. Our Perspectives team had planned to extend this issue to cover these events, but just a week after the Centennial Gala, the city slowly closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with many activities being canceled or postponed.

While those events did not take place, we’d be remiss not to cover the work that members accomplished during this time — League women did not stop during the pandemic but continued to find ways to serve the community and each other.

How the League engages in and partners with the community will likely change in the coming months, and we as the League’s Communications Council are committed to sharing those stories with you.

Best Wishes, Chelsea E. Zesch VP Communications Continuing to Serve Even through the midst of a pandemic, League members consistently asked, “What can we do? How can we help?

Where can we serve?” With many local volunteer opportunities closed, League members were hard pressed to find options to give back, but our CandO and Program Acceleration Committees still found a way to provide virtual volunteer opportunities and donations to community partner, Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank (SCDB).

One of the planned cornerstone events of our Centennial year was the 100 Hours of Service event, led by the League’s CandO Committee. The original intention was to host volunteer events during the week of April 13th with the goal of reaching 100 hours of volunteer service by the end of the week. In light of social distancing guidelines, the committee quickly and creatively pivoted by identifying ways to support both current and new partners where virtual donations of time were needed and easily facilitated.

Two such new partnerships were with

Rosemary’s Babies and Operation Gratitude. Rosemary’s Babies’ mission is to help teen parents master the concepts of self-leadership to leave a legacy. League members provided recipes and instructions for meals that could be made for under five dollars with simple ingredients a 13 to 19 year old would purchase. Each recipe also included inspirational quotes or advice.

Operation Gratitude sends care packages from american people thanking troops, veterans, new recruits, or wounded heroes and their caregivers for their service to our country. League members partnered with the organization by providing letters, notes, and drawings.

The partnership with Sweet Cheeks Diaper Bank also continued during the pandemic, though in a different form, given that in-person diaper wrappings were not permitted. The League continued to collect donations and coordinate the transport of hundreds of diapers to the SCDB warehouse, during this even more pressing time of need in our community.

GMM Planning Committee Flawlessly Executes the League’s First Virtual GMM Emily Haun and the General Meeting Planning Committee proved their ability for agile coordination with the execution of the League’s first virtual GMM, the final GMM of our Centennial year. What’s more, this was the League’s April voting GMM during which the League voted to approve our 2020-2021 Operating Budget. A huge kudos to Emily and Legal Advisor, Beth Berkowitz, for their diligent work during this unprecedented time.

A Bit of History:

Radio Reading During WWII The League is no stranger to stepping up during global hardship; during World War II, the JLC took its children’s theatre works (now the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati) to the radio, to meet children in their homes.

In an article on BroadwayWorld.Com, The Children’s Theatre’s Producing Artistic Director recently shared, “During WW2, the women of the Junior League were faced with the same problem we are today. Yet, that did not stop their mission to engage their audience through new and innovative methods. They took to radio to broadcast their shows and kept the mission alive.”

As the League continues to operate amidst and beyond the pandemic, there will be many new ways we will strive to fulfill our mission and commitment to the community.

The JLC Staff During the period of the stay-at-home order, our tremendous and small-but-mighty staff continued to work remotely and support the League’s day-to-day operations. We are grateful for their time, talent, and flexibility during this challenging time.

Program Acceleration Committee and the JLC leadership made a combined donation to the Freestore Foodback. #JLCincy | 13 #JLCincy | 13

Thank you to our generous Annual Fund donors who have contributed throughout the 2019-2020* year!

Judy Adams Marge Anderson Alison Baker Antonella Barrero Jane K. Bennett Katie Blank Andrea Blinkhorn Julie Bodnar Rebecca Bryson Elizabeth Buhr Erica Burns Dana Burris Alison Bushman Stephanie Chapman Jane Clarke Nichole Clarke Lyndsay Coleman Brynne Coletti Catherine Cowan Ann Crilley

Kathryn DeNicola Charlotte Duggan Jeri Duncan Liz Dye Sandy Elliott Joany Ellsworth Eleanor Finn Kate Fortlage Brianna Frappier Elizabeth Goetz Anne Greenwald Jennifer Harrington Chelsey Harshman Bobbi Hart Kelly Haseotes Barbara Havlovic Laura Jane Hinkel Theresa Hooker Karol Hunt Colleen Huster

Joan Ireton Amy Jo Jones Caroline Kent Martine Lamy Lucy Lane Pamela Long Kelly Lyle Nazly Mamedova Pat Matchette Carolyn McCoy Liz McLean Marty Mileham Anne Miller Monica Miller Mary Jo Mock Jo Moore Taylor Neal Kailen Nowik Marilyn Osborn Susan Laufer Pfau

Shelley Poffenberger Lori Poole Nicole Portal-Velarde Karen Post Samara Ramudit Emily Reinhold Rene Robers Maureen Rooney Kristin Scheihing Digi Schueler Martha Seaman Jennifer Shafer Judy Sheakley Nicole Shenk Janet & John Simpkinson Elizabeth C. B. Sittenfeld Chelsea Smalling Sandra Smith Gwyn Spindel Martha Steier

*Please note that this list includes donors from JLC’s 2019-2020 year that runs from June 1, 2019 through May 31, 2020 ** In Memory of Ruth Ann Rockel *** In Honor of Vicki & Allan Calonge **** United Sustainers in acknowledgment of the Geier Family ***** The Warren and Bernice Hensel Foundation

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Christine Stubbins Colleen Tersmette Sarah Vogt Adrienne Votaw Kate Walker Sarah Watson Karilynn Williamson Lauren Woeltz Abby Workman Empower Media Marketing Inc. Johnson Investment Counsel** Truepoint Wealth Counsel*** Platform Beers LLC United Sustainers**** Alison Hensel*****

Member Milestones Tara Noland, New Position In February 2020 Tara Noland became Vice President, Client Services for Ignite Philanthropy.

Ignite Philanthropy provides strategic fundraising services and manages multi-million dollar fundraising campaigns for non-profit clients, as well as foundation management for private and family foundations.

Catherine Lentz Catherine Lentz accepted the role of Branch Manager with a promotion to Vice President for the new Chase Bank branch located in Downtown Cincinnati across from Fountain Square.

Perry Littlejohn

Lauren Miller

Perry Littlejohn and Nick Rippe wed during an intimate ceremony on April 25, 2020 at Summit Country Day’s Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel.

Lauren and Drew Miller welcomed their first child, Natalie Elizabeth, born January 3, 2020.

Kailen Nowik

Emily Thobe

Kailen Nowik and Eric Lanman were engaged in August while on vacation in San Francisco.

Emily Thobe and Sammy Annor welcomed Asa Benjamin Yaw Annor on January 2, 2020. Emily is enjoying time in quarantine with Asa on maternity leave! You can find them snuggling at home or walking in area parks.

Chelsea Zesch Chelsea Zesch and Joshua Jones are happy to announce their engagement, which took place on April 12, 2020. The couple is planning their wedding for September of 2021.

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 or email the Perspectives Committee - Perspectives@jlc.org.

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