Spring 2021 Sneak Peek/ International Women's Day

Women

WOMEN CELEBRATING

The Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier is an organization comprised of women from all walks of life. Attorneys, healthcare professionals, educators, homemakers, those who work in finance, political figures, etc.—you can find all these women in our League. It is important to uplift one another in our own special talents and abilities, and that is what our League is all about— women celebrating women! Check out these four ladies, your peers in the League. This is what JLSB is made of!

Occupation: Progressive Bank’s Airline Financial Center Manager and Banking Officer

Why did you join JLSB? I joined JLSB to meet likeminded women—the go-getters, the leaders, the “hands and feet” of the community. A group of empowered women who crave the betterment of their community and its future are unstoppable!

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Occupation: Intelligence Analyst with the Federal Government What is your biggest accomplishment so far career-wise?

In my career so far, I am most proud of my work in combatting Human Trafficking in the Shreveport-Bossier area. Traffickers prey on the most vulnerable persons, oftentimes their victims are minors. I work alongside a dedicated group of law enforcement personnel committed to rescuing victims and identifying and arresting those targeting them.

SARAH-BETH Y. BUMP, 4th Year Active

What is your biggest accomplishment so far career-wise?

I started my career with Progressive Bank in 2013. Shortly thereafter, I sought out another career opportunity and decided to leave the banking world. After realizing the grass isn’t always greener, I knew that Progressive Bank was where I was meant to be—the Lord will allow us to wander, but He will always lead you back home. From there, I worked my way from a part-time teller to Branch Manager. My biggest accomplishment in my career isn’t finite. It is knowing that every day, I have the opportunity to serve others, whether that’s through financial wellness and education or just brightening a customer’s day. These incredibly rewarding relationships with customers and co-workers alike brings so much joy and fulfillment to my life.

It really is true what they say—when you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life.

KATIE ADGER, 2nd Year Active

What has been your biggest accomplishment in Junior League?

My biggest accomplishment in Junior League is helping provide and serve the families in need of our community through the Red Apron Pantry. Being a member of Junior League has given me the opportunity to not only support those in need throughout our community, but has also allowed me to acknowledge the incredible need for services and community outreach programs such as the Red Apron Pantry. Seeing the smiles on the families’ faces when we hand them their groceries is one of the greatest joys I have ever experienced, and very little will ever be able to compare to it.

How do you feel your participation in JLSB and the training it provides can help you in your career?

My participation and membership in JLSB has helped me grow in my leadership role in my career. It has also helped me be able to recognize the financial education needs within our community and how to better serve those who may have never had the opportunity to learn these necessary life skills.

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Why did you join JLSB? My reason for joining the JLSB was two-fold.

I wanted to serve my community through volunteering and I love how the League offers so many volunteer opportunities in various projects. My second reason for joining is I had recently moved back to Shreveport and knew the League would be a wonderful way to meet people.

Do you have any goals for future League years?

I hope to become more involved in the League in my future years, possibly helping develop new community projects.

How do you feel your participation in JLSB and the training it provides can help you in your career?

Participation in the JLSB has helped me have a more comprehensive understanding of the needs of the Shreveport-Bossier community.

My job is centered on serving the community.

I appreciate the League’s opportunities for self-development, especially with leadership opportunities. I tend to be introverted and such trainings will help me in my career and my aspirations to become a supervisor in my organization.

KATRINA FARRIS, 2nd Year Active Occupation: Pharmacist (Graduate Student Intern) What is your biggest accomplishment so far career-wise?

The biggest accomplishment of my career so far was finishing pharmacy school. Graduate school is already extremely challenging, but being a single mom of a toddler while in school full time, and working a full-time job, made me appreciate every moment we spend together now. I missed moments that I will never get back, but everything we had to go through to get where we are today, makes the hard times that much more worth it. I have a career that I am proud of and I can provide my son the life he deserves. I will also say that being named one of Shreveport’s Top 40 Under 40 professionals last year was a very noteworthy accomplishment as well!

Why did you join JLSB? I originally joined Junior League to network, but in the time that I have been in the League, I have gained so much more. I have been blessed with true friendships with women that I would have never crossed paths with if it wasn’t for Junior League. I have been able to fine tune my leadership skills, and also practice creativity with things like fundraising ideas that I wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to take part in. Joining JLSB was one of the best decisions I’ve made thus far.

Do you have any goals for future League years?

My goals for future league years are to do anything I can behind the scenes. I love the new diversity and inclusion initiative that Junior League is creating and I think that is where I can offer the most help. I do, however, love organizing, planning, and fundraising, so Designer Bag Bingo might be my happy place/ home for the next few years.

How do you feel your participation in JLSB and the training it provides can help you in your career?

I have never been a shy person, but public speaking and really connecting with the audience I’m speaking to has been something that I struggle with. I haven’t had any formal Junior League training on public speaking, but being in leadership positions within the League has helped me tremendously with my comfort level when speaking to my coworkers, patients, and even upper management when presenting research. I found that when I knew more about my topic, I felt less anxiety and was an all-around better speaker/presenter. I learned this tidbit about myself on my placement last year. New members have some great questions and having to research to find them answers, made talking to the ladies much easier and more authentic because I knew my subject matter.

FELECIA GIPSON, Provisional Occupation: Principal, Eden Gardens Elementary Magnet School What is your biggest accomplishment so far career-wise?

My biggest career-related accomplishment to-date is the distinct honor and privilege of serving the students, teachers, and families of Eden Gardens Magnet School each day. When I began my career as an educator, leadership was always my goal, and to lead such an amazing school is something that I treasure.

Additionally, earning my doctorate in Organizational Leadership in December 2020 solidified years of hard work and commitment.

Why did you join JLSB? My decision to join JSLB was based on an urge to contribute to our community in an impactful way and to surround myself with like-minded, driven women who empower one another. I am a native of South Louisiana, and when I moved to this area, I immediately settled into my career while devoting all of my time to my family and my studies. JLSB has provided an avenue that I can forever utilize to extend myself into the community in a way that benefits others. In addition, I personally benefit from the ability to build new relationships and networks.

Do you have any goals for future League years?

My goals for future league years are to further immerse myself in the JLSB mission, expand my leadership skills, and inspire others to do the same.

How do you feel your participation in JLSB and the training it provides can help you in your career?

JLSB allows me to serve the community in which I lead. This is a critical component of effective leadership. It’s important that leaders connect with the community they serve. Additionally, through JLSB, I am exposed to new people and networks. These benefits are both socially and professionally impactful. I look forward to growing and learning through the years.

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Women’s Day

INTERNATIONAL

Monday, March 8 was International Women’s Day. This year in particular, we should reflect on what this day meant and celebrate the strong women around us, who, particularly in 2020, have gone above and beyond in creatively working from home, parenting in whole new ways, becoming at-home teachers for their virtual students, and business owners whose businesses look completely different now than they did in 2019. Since the global inception of International Women’s Day in 1911, the purpose of this day has been for “celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.” While we should be lifting each other up every day, it is nice to see a specific day dedicated to lifting up and celebrating our female colleagues, friends, and family members.

When asked to write this article about International Women’s Day, I was thrilled, because I have been so impressed by the women around me as we live in this time where adaptability and creativity are such important qualities. As you can imagine, the Board of Directors and Management Team for the Junior League of ShreveportBossier have had to learn how to pivot, and I have been absolutely blown away at their strength and flexibility. From making King Cake Classic a virtual event to the Red Apron Pantry never closing its doors (and, in fact, expanding to serve additional families) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the women of the JLSB have continued to shine and provide excellent services, resources, and events to the Shreveport-Bossier community.

The wonderful committee for Designer Bag Bingo worked hard to creatively look at how we can make their event this year successful and safe virtually. In creating Bags, Bourbon, and Bling to substitute our annual bingo games for 2021, they have done exceedingly well. You might think that our Revel Artist for a Day programming couldn’t

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Sarah Giglio

have happened because the Revel did not happen…but you would be wrong. Our innovative committee members did an amazing job adapting that community program to still reach many children and educate them about the arts in spite of the fact that the Revel did not happen in its traditional form. In addition to these outward-facing placements, our membership and communications teams have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to support our members and promote the work of the women in our League.

These are yet more examples of women doing what women do best—creatively adapting.

So what are some ways that you can celebrate and participate in International Women’s Day, even if retroactively, here at home? You can use your social media to raise awareness, including the hashtag for the 2021 International Women’s Day theme, #ChooseToChallenge throughout the month of March. You can attend online panels/resources that are available to you related to women—our history, equality, and how much even one woman can accomplish.

Many of these resources are available to us as Junior League members on the Association of Junior Leagues International website (www.ajli.org). You can support womenowned businesses. You can donate to a women-focused non-profit. Read and discuss a book about a women you find inspiring or who you would like to learn more about.

And finally, something we should really be doing every day—you can and should acknowledge and thank the amazing women in YOUR life—who inspires YOU every day to be the inspirational woman that you are.

Let’s all take part in a celebration of International Women’s Day in our own little corner of the world. Let us continue to inspire change and progress, and let us never forget to lift one another up.