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Iread a story the other day on social media about a mother whose daughter outgrew brand new shoes, and the mother took over her shoes and wore them herself. At first, it was just more or less for convenience (as I recall, they were bright purple and very noticeable), but then she found that she was actually walking a few miles in her daughter’s shoes and decided to begin reflecting on that journey.

Now, halfway through the League year, I am reflecting on the shoes I wear and the footsteps I am walking in…those of our members, who have the remarkable ability to connect with individuals in the communities where we live and work— individuals are members of the League and individuals who we are serving

Amy McGowan

Groves 2022-2023 President

Junior League of Mobile, Inc.

in our community. And those shoes are beautiful. For 92 years, the Junior League of Mobile (JLM) has improved our communities while also developing the potential of our members through rich training experiences. I think I took all of that for granted before really walking in these shoes. The amount of time, deep commitment, and passion it takes on behalf of all of our members is truly extraordinary. And I am grateful for each and every member of this wonderful organization – your feet are larger than you know!

With that in mind, we have embarked on our new strategic plan, and strengthening the membership is at the core of all of our initiatives. Through a renewed attention on our membership, we can continue to be a strong presence in our community through providing invaluable resources to promote health and wellness in children and families. We maintain invaluable relationships with many members of our community and have already provided over 50,000 diapers through our Diaper Bank and numerous school uniforms, supplies, and mentor experiences to our Adopt-a-School students at Clark Shaw Magnet School. We continue to provide that volunteer connection for local food banks and community centers. And, our membership is grateful for those experiences, which keeps smiles on everyone’s faces and our membership strong!

Of course, our sponsors, donors, and other community partners also are invaluable in strengthening our membership. Because of the generosity shown in our community, we can provide our membership with fulfilling experiences that will last a lifetime. You are the other reason why JLM is 92 years strong!

We remain strong together and can achieve so much. Join us.

Amy McGowan Groves 2022-2023 President Junior League of Mobile, Inc.

The world has forever changed since the pandemic, but the Winter of 2023 feels about as close to a pre-pandemic Junior League of Mobile as we have felt in a long time. We have themed General Membership Meetings, events galore for members to meet and mingle with Board members, and fundraisers picking up steam, with the Adopt-A-School program and our annual Christmas Jubilee.

This Fall feels like a fresh start and full of promise for JLM. As we shift from old fundraisers to new, the League will grow and adapt to the new normal. While change can be intimidating, it also comes with the promise of new ways to promote the League’s goals for helping our community.

The late Ruth Bader Ginsburg once said, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” This mantra fits perfectly for the Junior League of Mobile as the league pushes to go even farther and grow even further in enriching our community and the women who help make the organization great. From the Board to the Provisionals, we are the future. The organization depends on each one of us to help the League reach its full potential each year.

This issue is geared toward showing members the progress Junior League has made in recent changes to the organization, as well as showcasing the Adopt-A-School Program and Christmas Jubilee. We want all members to see the impact of their volunteer hours, and we

Contributing Writers

Kerrianne Webster

Kerrianne is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) for The CORE Project, Inc. serving children and adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders. She earned her B.A. in History and Secondary Education from Birmingham-Southern College and her M.S. in Applied Psychology from Jacksonville State University. Kerrianne joined the Montgomery chapter of Junior League in 2015 and transferred to the Mobile chapter the following year after relocating to Mobile. She enjoys spending time with her husband and 2-year-old daughter, Amelia.

Contina Woods

Contina leads a team of treasury management professionals across Alabama and Mississippi. She holds an MBA and is a Certified Treasury Professional. Contina is married to Ricardo, and they have two teenage daughters.

want to share our appreciation for each of you sacrificing your time with family and friends to volunteer and promote the League every day in your own way. Thank you to the Folio team and contributors for the 2023 Winter Folio Edition.

What an honor it has been and will continue to be serving as this year’s Folio Editor. I appreciate the help fellow members have been in assisting with this endeavor. The weight of being so closely involved with what will eventually be a piece of Junior League history is not lost on me. The future growth of this league is imperative and as we continue to persevere and promote the league so that others will want to join in the mission of building a better community. Continue to fight for what you care about both inside and outside the league, and others will join you.

Leanne M. Johnston, FOLIO Editor 2022-2023 Junior League of Mobile, Inc.

Eletha Blakely Harris

Eletha graduated from the University of South Alabama, and she works for the Social Security Administration as an SSI Technical Expert. She and her husband Rayford Harris have two daughters, Maya and Jordan, and a fur baby named Snickers. Eletha is happy to be a member of such an amazing organization that has been giving back to our community for over 90 years. Eletha is still excited about being a member and giving back to the community after 20 years of service. She loves to travel, read, shop, and meet new people in her free time.

Allie Boller

Allie has been a member of JLM for 9 years and has served as a FOLIO writer for two of those years. Allie is an attorney, licensed in Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi with a focus on Probate Law. Allie received her undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama, and attended law school at Cumberland School of Law. Allie and her husband, Matt, just had their first child, Thomas, in April 2022.