Winter 2023

A community publication of Junior League of Mobile

EDITOR

Leanne M. Johnston

CONTRIBUTORS

Kerrianne Webster, Eletha Blakely Harris, Contina Woods, and Allie Boller

PRODUCER

Interstate Printing & Graphics

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Smith Design, Courtney Harris

AD SALES

Shellie Teague

MISSION STATEMENT

Junior League of Mobile Inc., is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. FOLIO is published twice a year. All rights are reserved. Reproduction, without permission, except by other Junior League publications, is prohibited. The office is located at 57 N. Sage Ave., Mobile, AL 36607, 251.471.3348.

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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.

As Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much.”

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.

Leanne M. Johnston, FOLIO Editor 2022-2023

MEET YOUR 2022-2023

JLM Board of Directors

AMY GROVES

Placement — President

How many years have you been in JLM?

This is my 13th active year.

What do you do for a living?

I am the Business Lead for the US arm of a global medical education company. I manage day-to-day operations, business development, and client relationships, so, I’m really a cat herder.

What is your favorite/most beneficial leadership skill you have learned through JLM?

JLM has been invaluable in helping me learn how to work with all different personality types and leadership styles to achieve a common goal. I love that Junior League is a safe place to develop my own leadership skills. I’ve been able to apply what I have learned to my career.

SHELLIE TEAGUE

Placement — President-Elect

How many years have you been in JLM?

This is my 5th active year in JLM.

What do you do for a living?

I am the Social Butterfly for Proxi Public Relations — I handle social media, website updates, and general public relations consulting for a variety of clients.

What is your favorite/most beneficial leadership skill you have learned through JLM?

Learning how to have difficult conversations from a place of kindness has been a beneficial skill to me, both personally and professionally. I’ve also learned the value of delegating and working with others who have a different perspective than I do.

LATRESE ENGLISH

Placement — Recording Secretary

How many years have you been in JLM?

This is my 9th year in JLM (8th active year).

What do you do for a living?

Operations Supervisor at Social Security Administration.

What is your favorite/most beneficial leadership skill you have learned through JLM?

JLM has taught me the importance of teamwork. The ability to delegate tasks and support the development and growth of others has proven vital to me in my own career and personal development.

ASHLEY BRYAN

Placement — Treasurer

How many years have you been in JLM?

This is my third active year.

What do you do for a living?

CFO at Threaded Fasteners

What is your favorite/most beneficial leadership skill you have learned through JLM?

I have continued to improve upon my problem-solving and relationship building skills.

JULIA HATLEY FLEMING

Placement — Governance Director

How many years have you been in JLM?

This is my 7th active year.

What do you do for a living?

I’m a Senior Staff Attorney for the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals.

What is your favorite/most beneficial leadership skill you have learned through JLM?

Adaptability. Every individual volunteer, every group, every event, every year, every day is different. People are motivated in different ways and have different preferred methods of dealing with conflict. Events almost never go exactly to plan. Being able to remain flexible in every situation and address conflicts as they arise depending on what the people involved and the specific situation at hand require is critical in leadership.

SHANNON HARRIS

Placement — Nominating Director

How many years have you been in JLM?

Nine active years — it should be 11 years, but I took two years off while in school for my Doctorate.

What do you do for a living?

Nurse Practitioner in an ICU at Mobile Infirmary and an Assistant Professor College of Nursing at University of South Alabama.

What is your favorite/most beneficial leadership skill you have learned through JLM?

Relationship building, innovation & creativity, and member motivation.

CECILY HARPER

Placement — Public Relations Director

How many years have you been in JLM?

This is my fourth active year.

What do you do for a living?

I handle the Public Relations for Harper Technologies.

What is your favorite/most beneficial leadership skill you have learned through JLM?

Through JLM I learned to trust my skills and capabilities; I have learned skills for how to run an effective board meeting; and how to better work alongside people with different communication and work styles.

MEGAN GRIMES

Placement — Planning Director

How many years have you been in JLM?

This is my ninth active year.

What do you do for a living?

I’m an Executive Assistant.

What is your favorite/most beneficial leadership skill you have learned through JLM?

Adaptability — I feel that my time in JLM has helped me to build on the skill of “be prepared” that I learned in Girl Scouts. From being prepared to being flexible, to making changes to when circumstances change, and to letting go of plans of perfection.

JANEE BONNER

Placement — Sustainer Advisor to the Board

How many years have you been in JLM?

I joined JLM in 1998.

What do you do for a living?

I previously worked as a congressional legislative aide and PAC director/lobbyist for a medical specialty society. I raised two children while staying at home and am now a full time volunteer.

What is your favorite/most beneficial leadership skill you have learned through JLM?

The most beneficial training would be the organization and management of volunteers— learning to work with people with different skill sets and different commitment levels to achieve an overall goal.

Left to right: Megan Grimes, Latrese English, Ashley Bryan, Shellie Teague, Amy Groves, Janee Bonner, Julia Hatley Fleming, Shannon Harris and Cecily Harper

MEET YOUR 2022-2023

Management Team

Junior League of Mobile’s Management Team focuses on the day-to-day and month-to-month activities that make up each member’s JLM experience. Meet the outstanding leaders serving on your management team this year!

President-Elect: Shellie Teague

Community Coordinating Manager: Chandra Motley

Communication Manager: Crystal Jones

Fund Development Manager: Jaime Griffin

Membership Development Manager: Catherine Cochran

Research Manager: Sasha Thatcher

Training Manager: Melissa Hunter

Treasurer-Elect: Abby Davis

Governance Director-Elect: Tara McCook

Nominating Director-Elect: Reshonda Douglas

Sustaining Advisor: Nancy Erwin

Not pictured: Abby Davis, Nancy Erwin, Crystal Jones, and Tara McCook

Training the Next Generation of Volunteers

Little Leaguers has kicked off for 2022–2023 and the impact is already being felt by our members and in the community!

The purpose of the Little Leaguers program is to train younger children and grandchildren of members to become active volunteers in the community. The program creates and implements activities for children to participate in GMMS (general membership meetings) or other community activities.

So far, Little Leaguers have participated in a weekend art class; toured the Food Pantry at Central Presbyterian and painted bowls for their Art Soup fundraiser; and attended GMMs, where they packed bags of cleaning supplies for our community partners. The cleaning supply bags included items such as paper towels, laundry detergent, multipurpose cleaners, and more. So far, bags have been distributed to Prodisee Pantry, The Joseph Project, and Food Pantry at Central.

The ages of Little Leaguers participating has ranged from 4 years old up to 17 years old. Our older Little Leaguers have earned service hours by assisting with activities. Not only is it a fun time for all ages, but they also get hands-on experience volunteering in the community and seeing what community service is all about.

“The Little Leaguer program gives me the opportunity to share volunteerism with my daughter,” says JLM Treasurer, Ashley Bryan. “She enjoys getting to spend time helping the community and meeting new friends. I appreciate the opportunity to spend time investing in family and community at the same time.”

This year’s events have been very popular and well-attended thus far, with members already asking about Little Leaguers’ spring opportunities. Stay tuned to see all these young volunteers accomplish!

OUR NEWEST ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PARTNER:

Clark-Shaw Magnet Middle School

By: Eletha B. Harris

The Junior League of Mobile (JLM) is committed to addressing hunger, nutrition, and fitness for schoolaged children in Mobile County. According to the USDA, more than thirty-four million people, including 9 million children, in the United States are food insecure, and the Save the Children 2021 Childhood Report ranks Mobile County 51st for child hunger in the State of Alabama.

JLM’s current Adopt-A-School program was born 4 years ago to improve Mobile and Baldwin Counties through our focus on Healthy Children: Hunger, Nutrition, and Fitness. What originally began as a backpack program in three area schools developed into a program that provides a bigger impact than food insecurity–it also provides other necessary items, such as clothing, hygiene items, and school supplies. The Adopt-A-School program has successfully finished a threeyear engagement with George Hall Elementary, our first partner school.

Throughout JLM’s 3-year tenure with George Hall Elementary, the children were not only provided backpacks with food and school supplies, but also touch-less water bottle refill

stations, art supply kits, and books. JLM also stocked a snack and school supply pantry, uniform closet, provided for fitness and P.E. equipment, and volunteered our time on a playground workday.

In 2022, our Community Council opened applications for the next Adopt-A-School to include the consideration of middle schools in Mobile and Baldwin Counties, as they are often underserved in comparison to elementary and high schools. We received numerous outstanding applications, and the needs were great. After an extensive interview and application process, Clark-Shaw Magnet Middle School was chosen as the new Adopt-A-School recipient through the 2022-2025 school year. (Fortunately, we are also able to provide monetary donations to the two runner-up schools, who were presented with checks at Christmas Jubilee.)

Since August, JLM has been hard at work stocking a pantry that is filled with snack items, new and gently used uniforms, school supplies (such as pencils, pens, pencil pouches, and notebooks), and hygiene supplies. They have even been able to provide other items, such as brand-new socks and underwear. The teachers worked with the PTA to create a request form that parents and teachers can use to discreetly request items for a student in need through a link on the school’s web page for easy access. Supplies identified through this system are packed and waiting for the student during dismissal.

Timesha Taylor-Jackson, Clark-Shaw Magnet Middle School principal, reported several boxes of supplies have been sent home with students through the program. Another student is now able to attend school during her menstrual cycle because she has the necessary hygiene supplies available to her. According to Danielle Zirlott, the Adopt-A-School Chair, a lack of feminine hygiene supplies is a common occurrence in our local schools.

JLM has also provided a brand new washer and dryer, along with ample laundry detergent, so that the teachers and students can wash school uniforms for children who do not have access to clean laundry at home.

Lastly, JLM has not only purchased two refillable water bottle stations, but has also provided every student and faculty member in the school with a refillable water bottle. The water stations replaced the water fountains, which were removed during the COVID-19 pandemic. This ensures that athletes are able to complete practices with an adequate supply of water and that all students have access to clean drinking water during the day

Principal Taylor-Jackson feels extremely grateful to be the recipient of Junior League of Mobile’s Adopt-A-School Program for 2022-2025. She has stated many times, “The magnet schools often appear to be some of the best funded programs in the district; however, we are not. Our students are residents

from all over Mobile County; thus, they come to us with various needs. The Adopt-A-School program helps us assist those students with personal needs such as snacks, socks, hygiene and grooming items.” She went on to share, “There are so many positive outcomes already shining through since we started this program with JLM’s full support.”

JLM is enthused about the many ways they can help the staff and students of Clark-Shaw Middle School and hopes that the impact goes beyond funding their basic needs. For example, Zirlott and a group of JLM members attended an all-girls STEM class to hear their ideas for bettering their school. The students developed their own project ideas that align with JLM’s mission of healthy children, such as feminine hygiene stations and an outdoor garden. JLM will work with the students and teachers to help put their plans into place. JLM members that work in the STEM field will also speak with the class about their careers, encouraging these future leaders to apply their knowledge and skills in STEM!

The JLM membership is extremely excited and committed to helping the students and staff. We would like for the students to see our members as a vested partner whose membership genuinely cares for their health and welfare and will continue to provide the needed resources and items necessary to improve their learning experience.

“The magnet schools often appear to be some of the best funded programs in the district; however, we are not. Our students are residents from all over Mobile County; thus, they come to us with various needs.”

THE IMPACTS OF CHRISTMAS JUBILEE

BY: CONTINA WOODS

As costs continue to rise, the need for JLM’s largest fundraiser is more critical than ever. “So many people in our community rely on this event,” said JLM Board Member and former Christmas Jubilee Chair, Julia Fleming. Christmas Jubilee’s impact is felt throughout Mobile and Baldwin counties from providing services to children to providing leadership training to members, supporting local businesses, and fostering community partnerships.

Christmas Jubilee is instrumental in funding the JLM Mission, which includes improving the Mobile and Baldwin County communities. “Christmas Jubilee allows people to get that break without compromising their basic needs,” said Mary Katherine Hudson, 2022 Christmas Jubilee Chair. And our communities recognize the impact that Christmas Jubilee has and give back in return; in fact, the League has been able to grow sponsorships by more than 50% this year.

Local businesses are one of the key drivers of a successful market. These businesses provide Christmas trees, storage, sponsorships and other in-kind donations. For those businesses without brick and mortar, Christmas Jubilee provides an experience where small businesses are able to reach audiences they would not have otherwise.

Christmas Jubilee is also a time where members are able to grow and showcase their talents. “It’s more than a market. It’s more than a fundraiser. We are creating leaders,” said Fleming. From marketing and networking to finance and logistics, this event takes nearly all members volunteering to create a mall in a day, she said. Not only is a lot of teamwork and bonding occurring, perseverance and endurance are tested as well.

“I never worked so hard in my life.” Although Julia is a lawyer by trade, she has learned new skills as a volunteer, including graphic design and logistics.

Christmas Jubilee continues to reinvent itself as shoppers and vendor preferences change. This year’s event kicked off on Veterans Day, so shoppers were able to bring the whole family along! Military discounts were given to service members, and there was more in store for children at Santa’s Corner, including a drive-thru car wash sponsored by Rich’s Car Wash, for kids to enjoy on bikes. The market was a huge success, with the committee exceeding their fundraising goal and delivering another memorable experience for everyone in attendance!

“It’s more than a market. It’s more than a fundraiser. We are creating leaders.”

How often have you heard the phrase, “You can have it all” and wondered how you can achieve it? We are told you can have the dream career, the dream family, the happiness, and so much more, but with each of those numerous and sizable life goals the work/life balance gets harder to juggle.

As a working mom, it can be incredibly frustrating to open your email or social media and see the aesthetically pleasing farmhouse style home with not one thing out of place, the bento box perfect lunches for daycare, or the Instagram Outfit of the Day (OOTD) that manages to stay clean as a mom works from home and juggles a full day of parenting.

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor once said, “Don’t let fear stop you. Don’t give up because you are paralyzed by insecurity or overwhelmed by the odds, because in giving up, you give up hope. Understand that failure is a process in life, that only in trying can you enrich yourself and have the

Work/Life Balance: THE PRESSURE TO MAKE IT WORK

possibility of moving forward. The greatest obstacle in life is fear and giving up because of it.” Those perfect aesthetically pleasing ideals are great for Instagram, but in real life we fail every day much like Justice Sotomayor stated. We have the stains of a hard-fought day of fruit pouches and animal crackers with toddlers. We have a house filled with toys and blocks that don’t all magically get put away. We have work deadlines that sometimes mean missing time with family or a night out with the girls.

Having it all doesn’t mean having it “perfect” all the time. Having it all doesn’t mean making every PTA meeting, work deadline, social event, or fundraiser. Sometimes there are too many balls in the air, and we need help or even to just let them fall down. That’s the funny thing about juggling. We put so much pressure to keep them all in the air, but at the end of the day, if one falls, we can just pick it back up when we are ready.

Work/Life Balance & Five Ways to Make it Work for You

TAKE THE TIME TO PRIORITIZE.

While we can’t do it all, we can do a lot. When you are feeling overwhelmed, make a list of all the things you need to do and the things you want to do. Prioritize what must be done and start knocking things off the list. Don’t discount the wants list either in achieving your balance. Triage what you can and delegate when necessary. Independence is great, but no woman is an island, and sometimes we need help.

GIVE MONEY INSTEAD OF TIME.

This seems counterintuitive, but if you have money and no time, why not? Don’t feel like every time you want to get involved the only way is to get up and volunteer. Saying no to volunteer time is not the same as not supporting volunteerism. Sometimes if you can give financially, it is better than spreading yourself too thin with commitments.

DON’T FORGET YOURSELF.

Do what makes you happy. As women, we tend to put ourselves last in our massive list of priorities. Do make your doctor appointments and keep them. Don’t forget that having no plans is still a rewarding option to slow down and rest. Do get your hair done and walk around a store with your iced coffee for a little longer than necessary. The little moments where you get to be you are rich in value for your mental health and achieving that great work/life balance. Think of life as a marathon, and to make it to the finish line we must take care of ourselves and slow down at times to make it to the end. Take care of yourself, and you will be better suited to take care of all your obligations without affecting your mental and physical health.

Having it all, doesn’t mean having it perfect, and like Justice Sotomayor said, “Don’t give up”.

SAY NO.

Just say No. This is such a basic thing, but more often than not we get ourselves into so many Yes situations that we end up overwhelmed. With those obligations and plans comes the potential for depression, anxiety, and general stress that can lead to serious health issues. Saying No seems rude, but I would encourage us all to cheer on any woman juggling work, school, children, pets, and family to add this word to their vocabulary. Let your children see you say No. Let your children see you set healthy boundaries in life. Let your children and those around you not only see you know your limits but excel at the things you say Yes to in your life. Those fewer Yeses will equate to more connected and fulfilling life moments.

DON’T FEEL THE NEED TO MAKE EXCUSES.

This is ingrained in women from such a young age. I’m sorry I can’t make it, because...” It is okay to know your healthy boundaries. If you don’t want to, that is enough. No need to say family is coming into town, the baby is sick, the laundry needs to get done to prove it is okay to say No. If you wanted to do it, you would. If you had the time, you would. If you say no, you just aren’t saying Yes, and you don’t owe an excuse as to why that is the answer. Own your choosing your value and your time as the commodity it is. Own the fact that you deserve to dictate when and how you spend this precious life we are given. Own the fact that you are taking that power back and choosing to have it all, but that doesn’t mean you have to do it all.

JLM ENDOWMENT Your Gift In Action

In 2009–2010, the endowment committee put a plan into place to take action to implement an endowment for the Junior League of Mobile. By definition, an endowment is a gift that is invested for an organization. It is set up to provide long-term support for a particular nonprofit organization or cause.

With an endowment fund, only a portion of the income earned is spent, while the remainder is added to the principal for growth. In this respect, an endowment is a perpetual gift.

JLM’s Endowment started the year of 2009–2010 with approximately $50,000 in funds earmarked solely for endowment. By the year’s end, the endowment fund had grown to $315,000.

Over the years, the JLM Endowment has surpassed goals, and new goals continue to be set. Because of the dedication of our endowment committees and continuous donor support from members and other organizations, the endowment is now over $750,000.

Andrea Moore, 2013–2014 JLM President, says, “To go from $50,000 to where we are now in 12 years is pretty incredible!”

This year, the JLM Board of Directors met extensively to discuss the plan of action for the endowment moving forward. After careful analysis of the financial reports, and many meetings with our financial advisors, a plan was enacted to put the endowment into action. In doing so, we were able to start this year by investing $30,000 from the endowment income into community projects.

This investment into the community is already having a big impact. These funds were used to award two $2,500 grants to the runners-up of our Adopt-A-School program, Booker T. Washington Middle School and Katherine H. Hankins Middle School. Awards to these schools were recognized at Christmas Jubilee 2022. Hankins Middle School Assistant Principal Laura Carter-Walker was presented with their check at Christmas Jubilee and discussed the needs of their students and the impact of the grant.

Funds were also allocated to revive the Community Assistance Fund and the Young Women’s Scholarship Fund. The application process for these programs will open in spring 2023 and more information will be provided on the JLM website.

2009–2010

ENDOWMENT IS IMPLEMENTED WITH EARMARKED FUNDS OF

$50,000

BY YEAR’S END, IT HAD GROWN TO AN IMPRESSIVE

$315,000

2022–2023

IN JUST 12 YEARS, THE ENDOWMENT IS NOW OVER

$750,000

JLM WAS ABLE TO INVEST $30,000 FROM THE ENDOWMENT INTO COMMUNITY PROJECTS

INCLUDING AWARDING $2500 GRANTS TO THE RUNNERS UP OF THE ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM

FUNDS ALSO WENT TO REVIVE THE COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE FUND AND THE YOUNG WOMEN’S SCHOLARSHIP FUND

Building the Future of the Junior League of Mobile

If you ask any member of the Junior League of Mobile (JLM) about an unforgettable memory, many will fondly share about their Provisional Year. This year, 41 women from diverse backgrounds and careers are banding together to develop their potential as women while supporting the needs of the greater Mobile community. During their provisional retreat, members shared a little about their backgrounds (and their quirks, at the suggestion of Amy Groves, president), and it was truly delightful to hear how impressive our provisional class is (albeit a little quirky!). Members work in the education, design, legal, philanthropy, and medical fields, among many others, and all share a passion for improving our communities.

“A Provisional member is a person in training to become an active member of JLM,” said Ta’Marra Branch Lawson, Provisional Chair. “Everyone must start as a Provisional. I want this class to know everything about JLM, inside and out.”

Lawson’s nuts-and-bolts approach to chairing this year’s class includes exposure to every JLM committee so that each Provisional will be best-positioned to seek out their own placements in future years. “This class of Provisionals will have fun as they make a difference in our community,” said Lawson.

“Provisionals are the future of the Junior League of Mobile. Active and Sustainer Members need to promote JLM to women who are interested in serving our community,” said Jennifer Zoghby, JLM Member. “Since the isolation of the pandemic, we are all eager to come back together in a social, communal way. As members, we can play an active role by inviting women in our professional, social, or community networks to consider joining as Provisionals.”

JLM President-Elect, Shellie Teague, noted that “Provisional membership is truly the foundation of our success as an organization. These members bring new ideas and enthusiasm into our placements and mission each year. We depend on our active and sustaining members to bring in these new members so we can train future leaders - not only in Junior League of Mobile, but in our community as a whole.”

This year’s Provisional Class is poised to make a significant contribution. Their Class Project is focused on building the JLM Diaper Bank. The Diaper Bank addresses a crucial need in our community. While Medicaid covers about one-third of all births in the United States, it does not provide for basic health needs, such as diapers for babies and toddlers. Diaper access is documented to prevent medical issues such as painful diaper rashes, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, hepatitis A, and viral meningitis. Additionally, children without sufficient access to diapers cannot attend daycare, which has long-term impacts resulting from the loss of the learning environment.

If you would like to support the Provisional Class by contributing to the Diaper Bank, here are some ways you can help:

Host a Diaper Shower

Become a Diaper Sponsor

Shop the JLM Amazon Wishlist

Become a Distribution Partner

To participate or for more information, visit www. juniorleaguemobile.org and select the “Community Impact” tab.

2021-2022 JLM

BY THE NUMBERS

4,366

$29.95

THE VALUE OF A THE VOLUNTEER HOUR (AS OF APRIL 2022)

TOTAL NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS

$130,761.17

VOLUNTEER HOUR IMPACT

THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO UTILIZED JLM VOLUNTEERS

97% 72%

57,000 DIAPERS DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THE JLM DIAPER BANK

DIAPER BANK PARTNERS DISTRIBUTING DIAPERS IN MOBILE AND BALDWIN COUNTIES

625 89% 67%

51% JLM MEMBERS WORK FULL-TIME JLM MEMBERS ARE ACTIVE IN OTHER NONPROFITS JLM MEMBERS WITH AN ASSOCIATE DEGREE OR HIGHER

JLM MEMBERS BETWEEN AGES 30 AND 49 (INCLUDING PROVISIONALS, ACTIVES, AND SUSTAINERS)

JLM MEMBERS GREW UP IN THE MOBILE AREA

STUDENTS IMPACTED BY THE ADOPT-A-SCHOOL PROGRAM

HOW TO JOIN JLM

We are actively recruiting women for our next class of community volunteers and leaders. Join us at a future mix & mingle event or visit our website at JuniorLeagueMobile.org/Membership to submit your application today!

SPONSORS & DONORS

AS OF JANUARY 1, 2023

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

Our mission is made possible through the generous support of our donors and sponsors. Thank you for your giving!

ENDOWMENT CONTRIBUTORS

Rebekah Baker

Barbara Baughman

Heather Cammllarie

CHRISTMAS JUBILEE SPONSORS

Lauren Kowal

Mary Carol Ladd

Chandra Brown Stewart

GRACIOUS GIVING

Rebekah Baker

Barbara Baughman

Dana Brown

Heather Cammllarie

Laura Clark

Larry Crum

Marcia French

Tiffany Ginn

Barbara Ann Guthans

Pebbles King

Lauren Kowal

Weezie Larson

Jinks Loeb

Tara McCook

Dru Oswalt

Betsy Reeves

Chandra Brown Stewart

Telagen, LLC

Debbie White

2022 SPRING SOIREE SPONSORS

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

As Amy Groves, 2022-2023 JLM President, said at the beginning of this Junior League of Mobile year, “We are going to have FUN this year in JLM!”

If you’ve been to a General Membership Meeting (GMM) or any other JLM event so far, you know firsthand the fun we’ve been having! Here’s a look at some of the things we’ve been doing.

AUGUST GMM

Welcome Back JLM! Our first GMM of the JLM year was a great time to welcome back a full house of members and hear from President Amy Groves for all the JLM updates.

SEPTEMBER GMM

It was a tailgate party like no other! Members came dressed in gear from their favorite team—high school, college, NFL, soccer, basketball, you name it! We enjoyed tailgate food favorites and fun icebreaker games to learn more about each other.

OCTOBER GMM

A spooky GMM like no other! Members came dressed in costume, with Little Leaguers joining us, too. We heard from Christopher Andrews, owner of Bienville Bites Food Tour, who shared all things spooky about Mobile with our members.

DECEMBER HOME MEETINGS

These favorite meetings take place all over Mobile and Baldwin County and serve as a relaxed time to get feedback on all levels of JLM. This year, members donated diapers at each meeting to support the JLM Diaper Bank.

We’re already looking forward to the spring events in the works, too! Members can look forward to a safety training, our annual (and very popular) Real Talk for Women Health Forum, open house events for prospective members, and more!

OUR 2022-2023 MAiNSTAGE PERFORMANCE SEASiON TiCKETS ARE NOW AVAiLABLE!

JOiN THE iMPACT! SiGN UP FOR CLASSES, AUDiTiON FOR A SHOW OR BUY TiCKETS ONLiNE!

SAVE THE DATE

MARCH 1

Membership Status Changes Due to HQ

MARCH 3

Admissions Mix & Mingle, Greer’s St. Louis Market

MARCH 4

Beverages with the Board, Cafè Del Rio 11:30 a.m.

MARCH 4

Diaper Drive at JLM HQ, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.

MARCH 9

Admissions Mix & Mingle Open House 6 p.m.

MARCH 14

Real Talk for Women Health Forum, 6 p.m.

MARCH 23 Spring Jubilee Fundraiser, 6 p.m.

MARCH 30

Admissions Mix & Mingle, Taziki’s Legacy Village, 12 p.m.

MARCH 31

Member Dues Deadline

APRIL 11

Lunch and Dinner GMM

APRIL 14

Admissions Mix & Mingle, Domke Market 5:30 p.m.

APRIL 26

Beverages with the Board, Pour Baby 6 p.m.

MAY 9

Annual Meeting