Parishscope Winter 2020

PARISHSCOPE A PUBLICATION OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, INC. | WINTER 2020

Volume 54, Issue 4

jlsb.org

As seen in December 2020 Town and Country Magazine.

Made in the U.S.A.

Be Original.

www.sidpotts.com | 318.797.2929 8535 Business Park Dr. | Shreveport, LA 71105 | Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:30pm & Saturday 10:00am - 2:00pm

FROM THE EDITOR

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Courtney Turner

Can you believe that 2020 is almost at its end?

I think that a lot of people had very different plans for the start of this new decade. Some might have thought this year would bring about a bright new beginning, and though it might not have been exactly what we all thought it would be, this year did give us just that—a rebirth of sorts!

The ladies of JLSB so gracefully navigated the obstacles that the last half of the 2019-2020’s League year brought, and in the beginning of the 2020-2021 League year, we saw leaders and volunteers within the League implement effective and creative new ways to carry on with community projects and events such as Red Apron Pantry, MAGIC, Super Safety September, and the Pumpkin Patch at Provenance!

There is no questioning the fact that some of us might have experienced great loss in 2020, but it is my hope that we can all look back on this year with a sense of accomplishment and be hopeful about the things to come. 2020 has taught us that we can persevere, and let the legacy we leave on our League and community show that!

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Letter from the President

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1933 Society

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Important Dates

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Letter from the Secretary

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Save the Date: 2020 GMM / Holiday Party

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Letter from the Sustainer Advisor

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Sustainer of the Year Award Guidelines

10 Member Transfers-In 10 Celebrations 11 Call for Business Owners 12 Provisional Update 13 Red Apron Pantry 14 Hurricanes Laura and Delta 15 Super Safety Saturday 16 Pumpkin Patch 16 Save the Date: Designer Bag Bingo 17 2019-2020 Annual Report 24 King Cake Classic 25 MAGIC 26 Words from Incoming Leadership 27 Diversity and Inclusion

JuniorLeagueSB

28 Memorable Moments

@JuniorLeagueSB

29 Cover Feature: JLSB Cookbooks

Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier facebook.com/JLSB.org youtube.com/user/JuniorLeagueSB 2020-2021

PARISHSCOPE Staff

Editor Courtney Turner Assistant Editor Tara Jones Business Manager Tara Jones 2020-2021 Board of Directors President Saige Wilhite Solomon President Elect Sarah Giglio

Executive Vice President Margaret McDonald Secretary Hannah Alexander Treasurer Michelle Wallace Nominating Chairman Ginny Lamb PR&D Chairman Emily Smith Members at Large Kezia Pigford Maggie Pressly Sustainer at Large Kim Foret Sustainer Advisor Tracy Prestwood

Cover photography by Jennifer Bradford Photography

2020-2021 Management Team Executive Vice President Margaret McDonald Communications VP Jennifer Bradford Community VP Kelly Clayton Fund Development VP Alex Person Membership VP Rebecca Radford Assistant Treasurer Jennifer Pou

Designed by: grace! graphic design + marketing Printed by: Paragon Press, 901 Tatum St, Shreveport, LA 71107 The Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, Inc. 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. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

The Junior League welcomes all women who value our Mission.

We are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations, and communities.

Parishscope Quarterly Magazine Volume 54, Issue 4 ©2020 Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier Reproduction in whole or in part by any means is prohibited without written permission by JLSB.

The Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier 2601 Line Ave. Shreveport, LA 71104 Office 318.221.6144 Fax 318.221.4601 jlsb.org

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President

LETTER FROM THE

As the end of 2020 nears, it is no surprise that I, like many others, have been thinking back on this year and all of the challenges that came with it. This year has been unlike any other year I have experienced to date and I am sure many of our members could say the same. While those around me have been decorating for Christmas for weeks (some even before Halloween!), I find myself trying to stay present in the moment and consider the many opportunities for growth that this year has offered me. I won’t say that I am not ready for 2021, but I also don’t want to just wish away this holiday season in hopes of a more stable and less eventful year to come. As my predecessor, Katherine Douthitt, said in her Winter Parishscope article last year, “there is no better time for celebrating, giving thanks, and reflecting.”

Despite the challenges of 2020, our League has much to celebrate so far in this League year. Our Super Safety Saturday and Revel Artist for a Day committees showed us how innovative our members can be in a time when gathering in crowds is not an option. Super Safety September reached thousands of community members through the informative videos and posts on our JLSB Facebook Page. Revel Artist for a Day was able to hand out art kits to those who drove through the “See a Truck” event on the day of Super Safety Saturday, and then those committee members decorated pumpkins with area children at the Pumpkin Patch. The Red Apron Pantry hasn’t missed a food distribution day yet and continues to meet the needs of the food insecure in the 71104 zip code with our client’s choice pantry.

Speaking of the Pumpkin Patch at Provenance—we sold a record number of pumpkins in October and even stayed open on Halloween this year offering BOGO sales and fun candy treats for kids! The 1933 Society fundraiser kicked off in September and has already reached over half the goal thanks to 30-plus donors to date. There is still time to join and receive all of the fun benefits of the 1933 Society if that interests you.

Although we were unable to sell Pepsis at the Revel this year, we were fortunate to be contacted by both Kendra Scott and Minted.com about partnering with them to raise funds for our organization. Many of our members (and area community members) enjoyed a fun girls’ night out event on Friday, November 6 at the Grand Opening of the Kendra Scott Holiday Pop-Up in the Shoppes at Bellemead and JLSB received 20% of all purchases for that entire day! We are thrilled to be hosting our JLSB Holiday Party at Kendra Scott and the Shoppes at Bellemead on December 8 where members will receive 20% off their jewelry purchases that

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Saige Solomon

evening while also enjoying fun happy hour specials at We Olive and Cantina Laredo. And there is still time to shop Minted.com for all your holiday card or personal stationary needs. Use code FUNDRAISEJLSB to receive 20% off your purchase and the JLSB will receive 15% back from all orders using that code. These “pop-up” fundraisers have been a blessing during a time when our fundraising efforts are so uncertain.

Another reason to celebrate is our recently-approved fall slate. I am thrilled to share that Margaret McDonald (current EVP) has been slated as President-Elect-Elect and Michelle Wallace (current Treasurer) has been slated as Executive-Vice-President-Elect. I am grateful for the leadership these women have already shown in the League, and I know they will continue to lead our League brilliantly in the years to come.

Lately the board has been reflecting a good bit on the member experience and what it means for us to truly be a “training organization” for women. While much of our training could be classified as “on the job” training as members develop skills while serving in a variety of roles or placements, some training should be more formalized. It is our desire to get to a place where this more formalized training is offered to our members more broadly and frequently. In our recent November small groups meetings, it was a joy to discuss what this could look like in the future and even in the remainder of this current League year. I look forward to implementing some of the ideas that bubbled up out of those conversations and the member engagement survey that many members completed in September and October. Be on the lookout for more to come on that after the first to the year!

While 2020 has certainly tested me in more ways that I would have ever wanted, I can truly say that I still have so, so much to be thankful for—and one of those many blessings certainly includes the women of the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier. All of you—Actives, Sustainers, and Provisionals—encourage me, challenge me, hold me to a higher standard, and help me become a better person with each day that goes by. I hope and pray you have a wonderful holiday season and I can’t wait to see what 2021 holds for all of us, our community, and the JLSB.

Saige W. Solomon Saige Solomon 2020-2021 President

Thank you to our 1933 donors!

LEAGUE LEADERS ($1,000) Nancy Cosse Kim Foret Judy McColgan

Peggy Murphy & Carolyn Murphy Thompson Tracy Prestwood Leslie Scott

Saige Solomon Edie Williams Seth Winterer

LEAGUE ADVOCATES ($500) Heather & Justin Courtney Lee O’Brien Davis Margaret Evans

Melinda A Hernandez Liz Lafitte Jane Sugar

Sarah Giglio Betty Henderson

LEAGUE PARTNERS ($250) Tracy Jones Ginger Lukacs Lesa McDonald Margaret McDonald Jodie McJunkins

Susan Adams Susan Cox Melissa Flores Paula Frierson

Vickie Meadows Angie Phares Michele Q=Peterson Marie Vanderlick

There is still time to support the JLSB through a donation to the 1933 Society at one of three levels.

Visit https://www.jlsb.org/support/1933-society/ to learn more and donate today!

Import antDates

TO REMEMBER

JLSB HOLIDAY PARTY December 8 Shoppes at Bellemead

KING CAKE CLASSIC February 6 Red River Brewpub

1933 SOCIETY CELEBRATION January 17 The Home of President Saige Solomon

SUSTAINER OF THE YEAR LUNCHEON March 23 East Ridge Country Club

DESIGNER BAG BINGO April 22 Horseshoe Casino Riverdome For more information about upcoming events, log in to jlsb.org and access the Member Calendar. j l sb .o rg | W in te r 2 0 2 0 PARI S H S C OPE

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Secret ary

LETTER FROM THE

The holidays are upon us, and somehow, we are almost halfway through our League year! Despite the COVID-crazy new world we live in, the Junior League of ShreveportBossier has adapted to meet the needs of its membership through a variety of mediums for meetings. Attending General Membership Meetings (known as a GMM) is a great way to get a first-hand account of the happenings in our League, as well as a way to get to know other like-minded women who are serving alongside you. All Active members are required to attend at least five GMMs from September to May. All Provisional members should attend at least five GMMs, in addition to Provisional Meeting requirements, and one Board of Directors meeting. If you have had the opportunity to take part in any of our virtual meetings via Zoom, or any in-person meetings that have been offered with multiple time slots to allow for social distancing, you are on track to meeting your requirement. If not, do not sweat it! There are multiple meeting opportunities available throughout the rest of the League year.

Bringing a sparkly change of events, the annual Junior League Holiday Party will be held in conjunction with the Kendra Scott Pop-Up coming to Shreveport! For our Holiday Party, JLSB members will have the opportunity to shop the Pop-Up in the Shoppes at Bellemead, enjoy refreshments from neighboring restaurants, and shop other retail stores in the center. League members will have exclusive access to a wide selection of Kendra Scott jewelry and accessories to purchase in addition to tons of giveaways and discounts, food and beverage, local vendors on site, and more! As a special treat, JLSB members will receive 20% off their purchases at Kendra Scott when attending the Holiday Party!

Our Annual Advisor Interviews will serve as the League’s January GMM. The Annual Advisor Interviews are one-on-one meetings between each member and her advisor. Your Nominating Adviser will be sending an email closer to that time to schedule a time slot with you. This interview is invaluable to our League, as it offers more opportunities for growth through member satisfaction. The interview is also meant to help each member map out her League career through future placements.

The first group General Membership Meeting of 2021 will be held at the Petroleum Club in Downtown Shreveport on Tuesday, February 9 at both noon and 6 p.m. This will be a fun opportunity to reunite with other members after

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Hannah Alexander

the hustle of the holiday season! The March GMM will be held at Christus Health Highland, our community partner, at both noon and 6 p.m. This is the only DOUBLE CREDIT meeting opportunity of the year, and it is always an informative, fun meeting where we hear from physicians in the Christus Health network.

April’s General Membership Meeting will be held at the JLSB Headquarters with offerings at 9 a.m., noon, and 6 p.m. The final meeting of the year will be our Year End Celebration. The meeting location is to be determined but is always a fun time of celebration for our members and community! The JLSB will celebrate our community events and fundraisers, as well as members who have shined in (and out of) their placements. We will also present scholarship awards to area high school Seniors—one from Bossier Parish and one from Caddo Parish. In conjunction, both outgoing and incoming Board of Directors and Management Team will be recognized.

Digital Cheetah is your one-stop source for all things JLSB, so do not forget to utilize it and check up on your attendance records. Credits are entered as promptly and correctly as possible. However, mistakes do happen, and we want to make sure your efforts are recognized. Remember to mark the dates of the General Membership Meetings in your calendars to be on track for another successful League year. We appreciate all you do to make our League and our community a better place. I hope to see you soon!

Save Date THE

SAVE THE DATE FOR OUR DECEMBER GMM / ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARTY

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Sust ainer Advisor

LETTER FROM THE

Tracy Prestwood

Many of us are ready to see 2020 come to a close.

This year has been full of many twists and turns, but the incredible membership of the Junior League of ShreveportBossier has met the challenge. Over the course of this year, the landscape of becoming involved within the community has changed, and so the JLSB has had to change the ways it serves our community as well. The members of the JLSB have worked to evolve projects to meet the changing needs of the community.

As you think about this past year, does a Sustainer come to mind who has been an inspiration to you or whom you admire for her tenacity and unfailing devotion to the Shreveport-Bossier community? If so, please nominate that person for the Sustainer of the Year. The application is available at the Junior League office and on the website at www.jlsb.org. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2020. The Sustainer of the Year Luncheon is set for Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at East Ridge Country Club. All

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guidelines provided by state and local officials will be followed at the luncheon.

The incredible ladies who have received the Sustainer of the Year honor in the past have never stopped learning and seeking ways to support others. While spending more time at home, we are all finding creative ways to fill the days. Instead of cleaning out your closet one more time, check out the webinars below provided by the Association of Junior Leagues International to each of its members.

They are a great way to spend a morning: • Working Virtually: Tips for Staying Centered and Productive • New Beginnings: Better Together • Achieving Inbox Zero: Learning to Manage Email, Deadlines, and To-dos (a personal goal of mine!)

• And so many others.

I hope to see each of you at the Sustainer of the Year luncheon!

Award Guidelines

SUSTAINER OF THE YEAR

Award History

More than 100 years ago, Mary Harriman,

founder of the Junior League Movement and public service pioneer recognized the need for a new model of leadership—one that emphasized

When making your nomination, please consider the following criteria:

Sponsor and Nominee must both be current Sustainers, in good standing, of the JLSB. Posthumous nominations will be accepted.

Nominee demonstrates excellence in community service and volunteers without compensation.

collaboration over competition. Through her work in countless organizations and her numerous

Nominee encourages others to participate in community service

personal connections, Harriman transformed

activities.

the way women of her generation viewed their obligation to society, and played a pivotal role as a social connector bringing diverse groups

Nominee works with and organizes groups to produce high quality results in support of a common goal.

and individuals together to form collaborative

Nominee’s service may include, but is not limited to, the areas of arts

partnerships that have survived to this day.

and humanities, education, environment, healthcare, human ser-

vices, public safety or youth services. The service must not be work-

Annually, the Junior League of Shreveport-

Bossier recognizes a woman of outstanding

related. Members of the selection committee cannot be considered as

leadership who uses her talents and resources

nominees.

to further The Junior League Movement and recipient of the award has made a positive impact

Application Questions Short Answers (300 word limit for each question)

in the JLSB and our community, and her volunteer

Describe:

work continues in the tradition of Mary Harriman.

• The most significant and lasting contributions she has

Vision with the Sustainer of the Year Award. The

This woman should be a knowledgeable and responsible advocate, leader, and mentor who embraces Shreveport-Bossier and makes a unique and significant difference as a leader. The honoree provides a contemporary link to our founder’s sense of social responsibility, as well as her ability to encourage others to share their talents through effective volunteer service.

given to the League and to the community •W hich community issues she has addressed •H ow has she influenced others to be a force for change, impact, or lead by example •H ow has she demonstrated herself to be a role model, mentor, catalyst, and risk-taker

Supporting Materials Attach: • A listing of the nominee’s significant awards, League placements, and volunteer, community, and civic activities (Example: C.V. or resume, if available. If needed, a template will be provided.)

•N o more than two (2) letters of recommendation.

Please note: Applications are currently open and will remain open until December 31, 2020. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applications will not be retained for future consideration.

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Member

TRANSFERS-IN

DEVON LEON

HELEN MARRS

CHRISTINE MOODY

MAER MORGAN

HEATHER STOUGH

RONDA ZUCCO

Celebrations

Frances Berkley was welcomed March 5, 2020

by Catherine (Active) & Jayce Simpson.

She joins big sister Mary Campbell.

Congratulations to the Simpson family!

Allison Washington (Active) celebrates many new appointments this year.

She was promoted to be the Assistant to the Dean of the Hurley School of Music at Centenary College, was appointed to the Board of The Glen Retirement Systems, and was elected Secretary of the Shreveport Chapter of the NAACP! Congratulations, Allison!

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Business Owners

CALL FOR

Courtney Turner

HERE IS WHAT WE WILL NEED FROM YOU:

PARISHSCOPE NEEDS YOUR HELP!

A business directory of women in the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier who provide services and/or own their own business will be coming back to Parishscope in our Summer 2021 issue!

If you would like to be included in our 2020-2021 Business Directory of League women, please send your business information to parishscopeeditor@gmail. com.

• •

Business logo, if you have one

•

ontact information (business C telephone number, business email, social media handles)

•

hort description of the company S you own or services you provide

our name and the name of the Y company (position you hold if you work for a company that you provide services for)

Looking for a New Dentist?

Small, privately-owned office Building patient relationships is our priority Care for the whole family Both restorative and cosmetic procedures

Call us today for an appointment!

QUADRANGLE OFFICE CENTER

2001 East 70th St., Suite 313 Shreveport, LA 71105

318.797.4321

Dr. Erin Walker is currently an Active member of the Junior League!

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Update

PROVISIONAL

It’s hard to believe our new Provisionals are halfway through this unique Provisional year. Although it has not been typical, the Provisionals have been nothing but eager to make their mark and get involved in all of the events available to them. Throughout the year, the Provisionals learn about all the ways they can use their skills to invest and make an impact in our variety of community outreach projects.

Our September virtual meeting provided a focus on our community opportunities. A more in-depth overview of Artist for a Day, Health Literacy Summer Camp, MAGIC, Red Apron Pantry, Safe Sitter, and Super Safety Saturday allowed the ladies to get a better idea of the impact each project makes on our community. Provisionals were also able to see the League’s commitment to flexibility and the understanding that we all have varying schedules. The ability to take part in concentrated placements allows all members to find placements that fit their life.

At the beginning of the Provisional year, each member commits to participating in three community placement observations, to provide them a closer look into the impact these projects make on our community. Throughout these few months, Provisionals have been jumping at every opportunity to volunteer at fund development events and placement observations, all while being extremely flexible with the ongoing COVID-19 guideline implementations. Women have been embracing the Fall Fun at the Provenance Pumpkin Patch, helping give back to our community by helping at our Red Apron Pantry, and assisting in our Safe Sitter program.

The October virtual meeting focused on the mem-

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Kristina Glass

bership track of the JLSB. Our Provisionals got to hear from the JLSB Membership VP, Rebecca Radford; the Nominating Chair, Ginny Lamb; and our Placement Chair, Allison Murray. These leaders were able to share about the membership council, our nominating committee and the nominating process, how members select upcoming placements, and spring interviews. This gave our Provisionals an opportunity to learn about the League’s commitment to enhancing the strengths of each member and providing opportunities that bring forth our members’ full potential.

At our November meeting, Provisionals were able to finally meet in small groups. They learned about the JLSB Scholarships and CAP Grants which enlightened Provisionals about ways our organization offers financial support to members of our community, as well as opportunities for non-profit organizations in need of aid for wellness purposes. Project Research and Development was also discussed at our meeting, showing how this branch of our organization has helped create many successful fundraising events which allow the JLSB to continue to pour into the community around us.

As we enter the holiday season, we are reminded of all the things we have to be thankful for and the wonderful opportunities the League offers us to give back to our community. As we continue to embrace the many changes in 2020 that seem to be constantly around us this year, we thank you for encouraging and supporting our Provisional class and showing them the great things our League has to offer. Although this year is definitely different, “Together We Can” rise to the challenge and be the change around us.

Pant ry

RED APRON

2020 has been a year for the books. COVID-19, a presidential election, race relations, hurricanes, Zoom, and more. What has been the constant? Food. Food always brings everyone together and makes us happy. Although we have not been able to enjoy food together at restaurants, birthday parties, or the like, learning new recipes and spending time at home enjoying a bite with the ones we love has been the new normal.

A new League year began in June and the Red Apron Pantry swiftly sprang into action. This League year we have truly lived up to Junior League’s mission by improving our communities through food. Last year, the Red Apron Pantry moved to its new location, Suite D at the Junior League Shreveport-Bossier office. Then, we distributed food through a client selection-based service where families shopped for healthy food that best fit their needs and preferences. This year, to protect both ourselves and the families we serve, many things have changed.

First, through the help of Stacey Melerine, Red Apron Pantry’s former head volunteer and the 2020 Volunteer of the Year, we obtained a deep freezer that has allowed us to expand our inventory. We are now able to order frozen food such as chicken, eggs, and fruit cups—items our clients look forward to every month. Also, we began pre-packing food boxes for our families.

Much like last year, committee members still meet once per month to pack the boxes and to stock the shelves in preparation for each distribution. The boxes include

Kendra Joseph

foods like oats, orange juice, water, cereal, canned goods, canned meats, fresh fruit, and much more. Each box contains 75 pounds of food. We distribute the food boxes every third Thursday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Signs tell families where to enter, exit, to stay in their vehicles, and to open their trunks. Volunteers then load the pre-packed boxes in the vehicles.

Other food pantries have experienced differences in their procedures and have had to close down. Some people have lost their jobs and needed extra help. Our pantry has so graciously picked up the slack. We are able to serve families in every zip code in Caddo Parish. We have also seen a significant increase in our clientele. We have served upwards of 27 families per distribution and have already distributed more than 7,425 pounds of food since June.

There is still so much more to come and we are already thinking of ways to improve and expand. We envision introducing nutritional presentations and providing our families with recipes and samples using the ingredients in the pantry.

Red Apron Pantry is easily one of the most coveted and fulfilling placements. Not only do we have the best volunteers, but our families are such a joy and often express their gratitude. Their smiles, thankfulness, and appreciation make it all worthwhile. COVID-19 may have slowed the world down, but caring for and serving others will sustain it forever.

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The Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier stands in support of the Junior Leagues of Lake Charles and Lafayette whose members have been tragically affected by Hurricanes Laura and Delta. We have witnessed the damage and devastation brought on by these storms and hope that recovery and rebuilding efforts can return these communities back to normal as soon as possible.

Photo credits: Instagram handles @reddsm_ @noelle_mills @saarquamek @americanredcross @cajunnavy2016 @thatlacommunity

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September

SUPER SAFETY

Sara Whetstone

Thank you for joining us at the Junior League of Touch-a-Truck. This event was held on National Car Seat Shreveport-Bossier’s 11th annual Super Safety Saturday!

Safety Awareness Day (September 26) and coordinated For the past 11 years the Junior League has partnered with with the annual Car Seat Safety check provided by the OfSheriff’s Safety Town to teach the community about various fice of Public Safety. At our live Drive Thru event families safety techniques. Our traditional event typically includes were able to get an up-close view of a Tow Truck, a Flatbed many vendors coming together and attendees traveling 18-Wheeler, Patrol Cars, and even a couple of Fire Trucks. around to different stations to learn about water safety, Even though our attendance for this event was reduced body safety, firearm safety, etc. However, this year our comthis year, our committee still had fun hosting the event and mittee was faced with a new challenge of not only teaching handing out goody bags to all of the attendees. We were families about safety, but also making sure they remained also excited to see a lot of families making sure their little safe and healthy at our event. After several brainstormones are buckled in safely! ing sessions our committee

A special thanks to arrived on the idea of starting everyone who provided a video a virtual Super Safety Saturday for this year’s event, helped that would take place over the gather videos for our commitentire month of September. tee to post, and shared our Instead of asking vendors to posts to their own Facebook come to our in-person event page. To the donors who proon September 26, we asked vided items for our goody bags SUPER SAFETY SEPTEMBER them to provide videos for the and the Artist for a Day ComJunior League to post on Facebook throughout the entire mittee who provided a craft for our participants we thank month. Through this new idea, we were able to safely reach you! We also appreciate the help and support of LT. Richard thousands of families from the comfort of their homes. This Cortbett and the law enforcement partners, volunteers, and also allowed us to provide a catalog of safety information participants who took time out of their busy schedules to that can be accessed on our Facebook page at any time help continue to teach kids in our community about safety. in the future. If you haven’t yet checked out our videos we To the event committee, all of your hard work over the encourage you to do so! summer and the start of the school year did not go unno In addition to our virtual event, we hosted a Drive Thru ticed and really helped to make a successful event during Touch-a-Truck event which was an adaptation of our typical difficult circumstances!

WHEN: Saturday, September 21 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

WHERE: Sheriff’s Safety Town 8910 Jewella Avenue Shreveport, LA 71118 ADMISSION: FREE!

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Patch

PUMPKIN

This year, things looked a little different at the Pumpkin Patch due to COVID-19, but nevertheless, we still had the cutest pumpkins in the patch! The Patch ran from October 4 – 31, and though we experienced a delay in our pumpkin shipment in the beginning, we still sold over $30,000 dollars in “gourd-eous” pumpkins!

Due to the Coronavirus, activities have to be kept to a minimum to keep our members and the visitors safe. The main event for this year’s Pumpkin Patch was our partnership with Artist for a Day. With the 2020 Red River Revel canceled, the Pumpkin Patch and Artist for a Day hosted “Painting at the Patch” on October 17. Children had the chance to paint or decorate the pumpkin of their choice and bring home their beautiful creations. Other events at the Patch included: Grab and Go Stem Crafts with the Shreve Memorial Library, a dog costume contest, and a visit from the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile!

Many thanks to our wonderful sponsors and partners for helping us make this year worthy of a visit from The Great Pumpkin. With the help of our sponsors and/or partnerships with Coca-Cola, Jennifer Bradford Photography, Donnette Marie Realty, Home Federal Bank, Hargrove Roofing, Gilmer & Giglio LLC, Christus Shumpert Health System, and Sid Potts Jewelry, the Patch has truly been a success this year! Thank you to Provenance Community for hosting the Patch by their beautiful lake and for continually supporting the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier. Special “thank yous” to: Dillas Quesadillas, Sugar Walk Popcorn, Pure Barre, and our very own Elizabeth Wendt, all of whom did a profit share with the League. Lastly, thank you to Ferris Office Supply, who so graciously donated the pallets that all of our beautiful pumpkins were displayed on throughout the month of October! We could not have done it without you all!

Save Date THE

APRIL 22, 2021 LOCATION: TBD

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Maria Woodley

ANNUAL REPORT

2019-2020

2019-2020

Board of Direct ors

Thank You TO THOSE WHO MAKE IT POSSIBLE 1933 SOCIETY

LEAGUE LEADERS Lee O’Brien Davis Katherine Douthitt Kim Foret Maureen Gamble Peggy Murphy & Carolyn Thompson Leslie Scott Jodi Penn Rives Mrs. Lacy Williams (Edie Broyles) LEAGUE ADVOCATES Katie Baker Nancy H. Broyles Nancy Cosse Melinda A. Hernandez Maggie McElroy Patricia N. Miramon The Moppet Shoppe Peggy M. Lyons Melanie Peacock Betsy C. Peatross Lindsey Pennington, MD Heather Price Saige Solomon Jane Sugar, MD Kelly Kilpatrick Turner LEAGUE PARTNERS Susan P. Adams Anti-Pest / Michele Horton Nikki Camhout Lynn Chance Helen E. DeBeaux Michelle Everson Melissa Flores Jennifer Frierson Paula Frierson Sylvia K. Goodman Elba Hamilton Lisa Hargrove Mary Jo Kayser Hollisann J. Kent Ginger Pugh Lukacs Maggie Malone Jodie McJunkins Vickie Meadows Angie Phares Michele Q=Petersen Evelyn H. Quinn Janie Richardson

CORPORATE COMMUNITY PARTNERS

PUMPKIN PATCH SPONSORS

Christus Health System Shreveport-Bossier Sid Potts, Inc. Parade of Homes / NWLA Homebuilders Association

Lagniappe Lawnscapes

SUPER SAFETY SATURDAY SPONSORS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS Sheriff’s Safety Town Caddo Parish Commission Commissioner Mario Chavez Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office SPAR Ark-La-Tex Tent and Events City of Shreveport Red River Credit Union Sysco Wyndham Garden Bayou Bounce Shreveport Police Department Shreveport Fire Department SporTran Life Air Rescue Shreveport Tractor Shreveport Diesel Driving Academy Red Ball Oxygen Rotag Services American Red Cross Shreveport Memorial Library Shreveport Bossier Family Dental Willis-Knighton Shots for Tots Metro Aviation Walter B. Jacobs Memorial Nature Park The Gingerbread House Caddo Parish Animal Control & Mosquito Services B.A.C.A. CarKeys Learning Rx Little Works in Progress Centerpoint Humphrey Racing Louisiana State Police Republic Services KSLA United States Postal Service

Provenance Realty Group

DESIGNER BAG BINGO Horseshoe Bossier City

Sid Potts, Inc.

Sid Potts, Inc.

Lang Orthodontics

Lee Davis

Barksdale Federal Credit Union Ferris Office Smart, LLC Gatti & Merkle Southern Hills Animal Hospital

Jodi Penn Rives Argent Trust Company Brown Builders

Erin Walker Family Dentistry Gilmer & Giglio Nelson & Hammons

B2WB Progressive Bank

P&S Pantry

Red River Bank

Pediatric Dentistry of Shreveport-Bossier Dr. Jason Gambill & Associates

Brookshire’s Lisa Hargrove

Progressive Bank

Jane Bicknell

Coca-Cola El Cabo Verde

Pam Cowen

Frank’s Louisiana Kitchen

Dillard’s of Shreveport and Bossier

Glenn Avenue Calligraphy Jennifer Bradford Photography

M. Clothes Shoes Lifestyle

Meghan Awalt Wedding Florist

Vickie Meadows

Pediatric Dental Partners

Clarke’s Fine Jewelry

KING CAKE CLASSIC SPONSORS

GIVE FOR GOOD DONORS

Pediatric Dental Partners Lang Orthodontics Southern Roots Dentistry Friends of King Cake Classic Walker-Alley & Associates Quality Shades & Shutters SWEPCO

Margaret and Thomas E. McElroy, Jr. Family Fund Anna Priestley Heather Price Rebecca Radford

J. Weiland Group Benefits

Saige Solomon

Pure Barre Shreveport

Carolyn Murphy

Family of King Cake Classic

Katie Baker

Red River Brewpub Lowder Baking Company

Liz Lafitte

RunWild Racing

Cheryl Foster

Popular Print Sign Gypsies

Tracy Prestwood

Jennifer Bradford Photography

Lucy Medvec

MISSION: The Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, Inc. 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. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

VISION: The Junior League: Women Around the World as Catalysts for Lasting Community Change.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: The Junior League welcomes all women who value our Mission. We are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations, and communities.

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LEADERSHIP & MEMBERSHIP 2019-2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Photo: see page 17 President President-Elect Executive Vice President Secretary Treasurer Nominating Chairman PR&D Chairman Active Member at Large Active Member at Large Sustainer at Large Sustainer Advisor

Katherine Douthitt Saige Solomon Maggie Pressly Catherine Simpson Laramie Guillot Heather Courtney Sarah Giglio Hannah Alexander Ali Smith Lee Davis Jodi Penn Rives

2019-2020 MANAGEMENT TEAM Photo: see below Executive Vice President Communications Vice President Community Vice President Membership Vice President Fund Development Vice President Assistant Treasurer

Maggie Pressly Shelvia Grant Jabrina Edwards Margaret McDonald Liz Lafitte Michelle Wallace

2019-2020 COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD

The JLSB seeks out members of the community to serve as advisors lending their expertise in a variety of areas to the League. The JLSB was fortunate to have the following distinguished community leaders serve on the 2019-2020 Community Advisory Board.

Laura Alderman, Executive Director, Step Forward Sonja Bailes, Public Relations Liaison, Bossier Parish School Board Renee Ellis, Community Engagement Specialist, Caddo Parish Public Schools Kristi Gustavson, Chief Executive Officer, Community Foundation of North Louisiana

SERVICE AWARDS

Amy Heron, Vice President and Chief Development Officer, CHRISTUS Health System Foundation Martha Marak, Executive Director, Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana Chuck Meehan, President and Chief Executive Office, Volunteers of America of North Louisiana Clay Walker, Director of Juvenile Services, Caddo Parish

Sustainer of the Year: Sybil Patten Volunteer of the Year: Stacey Melerine President’s Awards: Melissa Airhart & Liz Lafitte

2019-2020 SUSTAINER ADVISORY PANEL Led by Sustainer Advisor Jodi Penn Rives and assisted by Active member Mollie Chelette Members include: Kelly Turner, Jodie McJunkins, Nicole Camhout, Vickie Meadows, Leslie Scott, Toni Thompson, Peggy Murphy, Michelle Everson, and Lee Davis

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Jennifer Langston and Lillie Johnston

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COMMUNITY IMPACT HEALTH LITERACY INITIATIVE This year the Junior League partnered with the Salvation Army’s Boys & Girls Club to bring this program to school-age children during the summer months.

Health Literacy Initiative promotes healthy lifestyle choices to students. Members act as health educators teaching children about fitness, tobacco use prevention, animal safety, nutrition, stranger danger, fire prevention, table manners, good financial practices, and oral health. Volunteers also provide crafts and healthy, fun snacks that are related to the theme of each session.

SUPER SAFETY SATURDAY In partnership with Sheriff’s Safety Town, the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier coordinated our 10th annual Super Safety Saturday event. Over 1,000 people including children and families, local nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and members of law enforcement attended this free community event. In the Health and Safety Fair tents, participants learned about various health and safety issues through interactive games and handouts. The Touch-a-Truck area included a helicopter, boats, and fire trucks as well as many other emergency, construction, transport, waterway, and military vehicles. Participants were able to see these vehicles up close and climb in for an even closer look. The Family Fun Zone was filled with games, prizes, and music, bringing the fun to the safety fair. Bicycle, storm, and water safety were presented by deputies in the kid-sized “city” of Safety Town. The event was rounded out with a child seat inspection and bike rodeo hosted by the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.

RED RIVER REVEL “ARTIST FOR A DAY” Each weeknight and all day on the weekends during the Red River Revel, Junior League volunteers can be found in the “Artist for a Day” tent in the children’s area. Volunteers assist children with fun and creative projects that enable children to exercise their artistic skills. The Artist for a Day project provides a free activity for children and their families at the Revel to help ensure that children in our community have an opportunity to participate directly in the arts.

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RED APRON PANTRY A partnership with the Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, our Red Apron Pantry is a food pantry operated at JLSB Headquarters providing supplemental nutrition to households, enabling our League to continue the important work of combatting food insecurity in our community. Our unique “client’s choice” model allows families to select available food items from our shelves, just like a traditional grocery store. During its second year, our dedicated volunteers worked hard to expand the pantry offerings to provide frozen food items, including a variety of meats and protein options, as well as provide healthful recipes utilizing food made available and other health-related information. During the first months of the pandemic, our Red Apron Pantry was one of the only food pantries operating in our area, when more families than ever before needed food assistance. By the conclusion of the year, we increased our households served by nearly 300%.

SAFE SITTER The Safe Sitter Program prepares teens, age 12-17, to be effectively trained babysitters. All too often, older children are left home to look after other children of all ages with little or no training to do so. Volunteers in this program teach the participants about the basics of child-care, first aid, Heimlich maneuver, general safety, and even how to start their own babysitting business. This program was not only taught to participants in our MAGIC program but also in partnership with other community organizations.

MAGIC MAGIC: Mentoring Ambitious Girls to Inspire Change provides opportunities for our members to interact with girls in our community twice a month and educate them on a variety of topics including financial literacy, healthy relationships, nutrition, etiquette, and voluntarism. This year, we partnered with the Volunteers of America Teen Club and these interactive programs helped the girls learn to navigate society, encourage study, and build self-confidence, among other lessons.

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FUND DEVELOPMENT 1933 SOCIETY

This year we continued our fourth year of raising money through our annual fund—the 1933 Society. It provides our donors a more structured way to support the League. This year’s 1933 Society members were treated to a lovely party at the home of Jodi Penn Rives with special guest Olivia Thomas, ALJI Treasurer. We are forever grateful for the outpouring of support and the continued belief in the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier mission. Net Profit: $22,100

COOKBOOK SALES

Our longest running source of income comes from cookbook sales. We are pleased to offer three unique books including the award-winning Mardi Gras to Mistletoe featuring 12 months of festivals, events, and more than 200 seasonal recipes. Revel, originally published in 1980 and then reissued in a 20th anniversary edition in 2000, has sold over 50,000 copies and includes party menus for each of the four seasons. Finally, A Cooks Tour, originally published in 1964, features dishes elegant enough for fine dinner parties and casual enough for picnics, and is truly a journey back into your grandmother’s kitchen.

Net Profit: $2,500

PARADE OF HOMES

This year we partnered with the NWLA Homebuilder’s Association and the Parade of Homes to sell Win a Kitchen! raffle tickets at various homes on the Parade. Raffle tickets were $50 each, and there were many secondary prizes in addition to the Grand Prize kitchen remodel.

Net Profit: $10,000

RED RIVER REVEL PEPSI SALES

The now world-famous Red River Revel Arts Festival was founded by the Junior League of Shreveport-Bossier, Inc. and given to the City of Shreveport in 1976 as a bicentennial gift. The Revel is held annually in October on the Shreveport riverfront and attracts thousands of visitors to the area. The Junior League continues to support the Revel by providing over 500 volunteer hours selling Pepsi products during the festival.

Net Profit: $5,050

JUNIOR LEAGUE PUMPKIN PATCH AT PROVENANCE

This year we held our third annual Pumpkin Patch at Provenance. We provide free fall fun for the whole family, such as craft projects, movie nights, storytelling, and hayrides. We were also able to raise funds for the League through generous sponsorships and the sale of pumpkins. This year, everyone who purchased $50 or more in pumpkins was entered in a drawing for a chance to win a beautiful diamond band from Sid Potts!

Net Profit: $12,600

KING CAKE CLASSIC – 10K, 5K AND FUN RUN

The King Cake Classic has become the signature racing event of the Junior League. The third King Cake Classic had over 300 participants. This year’s race began and ended at Red River Brewpub. The route took runners through historic Downtown Shreveport. The family focused race day experience included live music, Lowder King Cake, Red River Brewpub Craft beer, a kid’s activities and craft area, and Mardi Gras bead medals and more. There was a fantastic turnout and lots of fun for all.

Net Profit: $10,400

DESIGNER BAG BINGO

Our third Designer Bag Bingo event was unfortunately cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many thanks to the DBB committee for their hard work preparing for this event. We hope you will all join us next spring for the next Designer Bag Bingo!

Net Profit: $17,100

GIVE FOR GOOD DAY

The Junior League partnered with the Community Foundation and participated in Give for Good Day. The 24-hour online giving challenge raises unrestricted funds for nonprofits in our community. This day of giving celebrates local nonprofits and allows the community an opportunity to support these valuable programs and organizations. Part of the JLSB’s mission is to promote voluntarism and improve communities, and participating in Give for Good is one way we celebrated generosity and elevated the conversation about philanthropy in the Shreveport-Bossier community.

Net Profit: $885

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FINANCIAL REPORT Fund Development

TREASURER’S REPORT

$2,500

ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $567,275 Accounts receivable $0 Inventory $57,200 Property and equipment $444,000 Long-Term Investments $10,000 TOTAL ASSETS

$17,100

$22,100

$250 $885

$10,400

$1,078,475

$7,500

$12,600

$10,000 $5,050

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Long-term debt Accounts payable and accrued expenses Deferred revenue

$0 $0 $44,000

TOTAL LIABILITIES

$44,000

NET ASSETS

$1,034,475

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

$1,078,475

■ 1933 Society Sponsorship.................. $22,100 ■ Individual Donations................................$250 ■ Give for Good Donations..........................$885 ■ Corporate Donations............................ $7,500 ■ Parade of Homes................................ $10,000 ■ Red River Revel Pepsi Commission..... $5,050 ■ Pumpkin Patch (net)........................... $12,600 ■ King Cake Classic (net)...................... $10,400 ■ Designer Bag Bingo (net)................... $17,100 ■ Cookbook Sales.................................... $2,500

CAP GRANTS The Junior League of Shreveport-­Bossier operates a Community Assistance Program (CAP) whose purpose is to provide monetary grants for short-­term critical needs of nonprofits in the Shreveport-­Bossier area.

Community Projects $2,000

$1,200

$100 $550

2018-2019 CAP GRANT RECIPIENTS $1,100 Bossier Council on Aging $1,787 Dress for Success Shreveport-Bossier $2,800 $2,800 $1,200

$4,587 $1,400 $2,200

$3,800 $1,200

$2,600

Member Training, Education, & Engagement ■ AJLI Winter Conference......................... $3,800 ■ JLSB New Member Training.................. $2,600 ■ JLSB Member Training and Education... $1,200 ■ Sustainer Engagement........................... $2,200

■ Community Assistance Grants.... $1,200 ■ Health Literacy Initiative............... $100 ■ MAGIC............................................ $550 (Mentoring Ambitious Girls to Inspire Change)

■ Red Apron Pantry....................... $1,100 ■ Red River Revel Arts Education... $1,200 ■ Safe Sitter (net).......................... $1,400 ■ Super Safety Saturday............... $2,800 ■ Scholarships.............................. $2,000

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KingCake Classic 5K / 10K / FUN RUN

Chelsea Adcock

REGISTER TODAY!

The date has been set, and the details for a safe and fun race-day experience are coming together!

Now all we need is you—race participants who are up for the challenge of a hilly course through historic downtown Shreveport, or who are up for the challenge of charting their own course with new virtual race options. No matter what you are feeling up to, please join us for the 5th Annual King Cake Classic 5K, 10K, Fun Run and Virtual Runs! The in-person events will take place on Saturday, February 6, 2021, starting at 7:45 a.m., and the virtual events can take place at any time in the two weeks leading up to the in-person event.

As in previous years, the in-person event will be held at Red River Brewpub located at 1200 Marshall Street. In addition to offering craft beer, did you know Red River Brewpub now serves southern comfort food? It’s the reason for the change in the name!

One thing that won’t change is the family friendly Mardi Gras celebration at the finish line. Enjoy a slice of Lowder Baking Company king cake, Red River Brewpub craft beer (for those of age), live music, an interactive kids’ area and much more! This may be the only Mardi Gras celebration of the 2021 season in Northwest Louisiana, so let’s go big!! Costumes are welcomed and encouraged.

Register early at RunSignUp.com (search “King Cake Classic”) for the best rate and to guarantee a shirt. Not a runner? You can also sign up as a Sleep-in Supporter and receive a shirt.

Please note: The King Cake Classic Planning Committee is taking into consideration the safety and health of all participants, and will work with Run Wild, ‑ Brewpub, and the City of Shreveport to make sure the in-person event meets the latest guidelines come February.

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Save Date THE

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King Cake Classic registration is now OPEN! You can register as a runner or a sleep-in supporter now!

FEB. 6, 2021 AT RED RIVER BREWPUB

Ambitious Girls

MAGIC: MENTORING

Tricia Saunders

TO INSPIRE CHANGE

The League year is in full force, which means MAGIC

inspirational quotes from the JLSB members to get them

is back in session! MAGIC (Mentoring Ambitious Girls to

excited for MAGIC! The VOA girls were open about how they

Inspire Change) is a wonderful partnership between the Ju-

have been coping with the difficulties of 2020 and adapt-

nior League of Shreveport-Bossier (JLSB) and Volunteers

ing to their new routine. As a result, the JLSB women

of America (VOA) Lighthouse Teen Club. The program fo-

planned programming around topics that were discussed

cuses on positive engagement and personal development,

in our opening session—journaling, how to handle stress,

and provides the young women a safe space after school.

love languages, healthy relationships, and self-motivation.

Every year we have Teen Club young women that are MAGIC

At our meeting before Election Day, Cheyenne Wilson led

participants.

a session on the importance of voting and the specific

MAGIC is the perfect placement for women who enjoy

building relationships with others and are interested in mentoring high school girls! It is a

information that would be on the ballot. The Teen Club members ask a lot of great questions and often write notes about what they learn in each session

very rewarding, engaging, and inter-

in order to implement it into their ev-

active placement. MAGIC meets the

eryday life. Upcoming events for the

second and fourth Mondays of each

year include self-confidence, healthy

month, September through April.

eating, DIY projects, and an end-of-

We share presentations to the VOA

the-year celebration in April.

girls about a variety of topics such as

healthy relationships, self-esteem,

and I currently serve as the Head

voting, healthy eating, stress relief,

Volunteer. Tiffany Metoyer serves as

etiquette, and community service.

the Assistant Head Volunteer and

The VOA is having all of their

Amanda Cacapava, Stacy Chiasson,

programs virtually this year in

Melissa Daniel, Adrienne Frierson,

conjunction with the Caddo Parish schools. As a result, MAGIC has been meeting virtually via Zoom. While MAGIC looks a bit differ-

This is my third year in MAGIC

Laramie Guillot, Devon Leon, Nicole Odom, and Cheyenne Wilson are committee volunteers.

ent than it has in previous years, the VOA girls are still very

JLSB women are paired with a VOA girl each session to

engaged in the process! Each Zoom session starts out in

serve as mentors throughout the year.

small breakout rooms to allow for small group discussion

between the JLSB volunteers and VOA girls, before starting

While meeting virtually has its challenges, the VOA girls

on our MAGIC presentations.

have positive attitudes and are taking it all in stride. These

young women are courageous, strong, caring, intelligent,

At the beginning of each MAGIC year, we discuss our

We look forward to another wonderful MAGIC year!

goals and inspirations for the upcoming year. This year, we

and dedicated, and it truly is a pleasure to work with them

focused on how to change our perspective and make the

throughout the year, especially during this time of uncer-

most out of the last few months of 2020 while also think-

tainty. Here’s to another successful and enjoyable MAGIC

ing ahead to 2021. The girls were given goodie bags with

year!

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Leadership

WORDS FROM INCOMING

Sarah Giglio

This October, several members of your leadership team attended AJLI’s Special Fall Meeting, a two-day, virtual conference that helped prepare us as we continue our journey in League leadership and trained us on ways we can best serve you, our members. Among those who attended were incoming PEE Margaret McDonald and EVPE Michelle Wallace. I sat down to do a “virtual interview” with these ladies Q&A-style, so you could hear a little bit about what we learned!

What is something you learned from other Leagues of similar size that might be helpful for the JLSB to implement/ change?

Margaret McDonald: During a session on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Sarah and I had the opportunity to speak to women from two other Leagues. We focused our discussion on diversity in leadership. One League President in the group shared that asking women if they are “interested” in leadership is not necessarily the best approach to creating a diverse and well-rounded slate. She explained that she was not interested in leadership because her focus was on community placements but that she moved into leadership roles because of the encouragement of other League members.

A change the JLSB can make is increasing member participation in the nominating process. Through our placements, we observe the gifts and skills our fellow members offer our organization. These observations should not remain a secret! It is fun to shine a light on a future leader, even if she might not actively be interested in a leadership position.

Michelle Wallace: There were several tips to help grow smaller leagues. First of all, we create more awareness of the benefits the JLSB brings to the community. Shifting the focus to the impact our programs make on the community. We can use our social media platforms as well as developing relationships with our local news channels. However, it is ultimately up to each one of us to do our part to help promote our league. As our membership grows so does our outreach.

What is something that you feel that the JLSB is doing well, considering what you learned at the AJLI Special meeting?

Margaret McDonald: One thing our League does well is recruiting incredible women who believe in our mission. I was

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beyond impressed with our Provisional class when I read about them in the fall issue of the Parishscope. With women like those who make up our Provisional class, the future of the JLSB is in great hands.

Michelle Wallace: We have continued to push forward with our community projects despite COVID-19. So many people depend on our outreach or look forward to our fundraisers. We haven’t forgotten our purpose, we have simply made modifications to still deliver on our promise to our community. I am especially proud of what the Red Apron Pantry is doing for our community and it is likely more necessary than ever in these times. We have a group of women that are passionate about the Junior League and because of that passion we will be successful despite any obstacles that arise.

What was your favorite quote/takeaway from the AJLI Special Fall Meeting?

Margaret McDonald: My favorite takeaway was . . . everything that Vicki Clark shared. Vicki Clark is a consultant, trainer, and speaker, who is a favorite among Junior Leaguers. She knows her audience when speaking to League members and offers thoughtful and practical advice. I especially appreciated her pandemic-specific guidance of focusing on the member experience this year and not worrying so much about if or how an event will happen.

Michelle Wallace: “People follow leaders that build trust, show compassion, show stability, and create hope!” This is something to remember even if you don’t consider yourself to be a “leader.” This could still apply to us as wives, mothers, friends, and co-workers. Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader, they set out to make a difference.

We also need to remember to celebrate our successes and not just move on to the next task. Celebrating our success is showing appreciation to all those involved who worked hard to achieve our goals.

Inclusion

DIVERSITY AND

The Fall Special Meeting hosted by AJLI was a great time of training and fellowship for members across the country. During the DEI Ideas Exchange sessions, diversity and inclusion were the primary topics. The sessions reminded us that diversity reaches beyond the race, ethnicity, or religion of our members but also applies to the qualities we seek out in new members, the members we promote to leadership, the projects we maintain, and the types of communities we serve.

The session entitled “Cleaning Our Own House: The Junior League and Honest History” required members to hold our history up to the light and take an honest look at how we not only promote but celebrate diversity and inclusion. Although it is important to acknowledge our challenging history as a League, it’s more paramount to glean from it the lessons that will lead to a legacy of impactful community service and member development. The face of the League may have changed since 1901, but our

Kezia Pigford

focus and purpose remain the same. Allowing our mission of “promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers” to serve as a guide for all we do will narrow our focus and make these necessary and at times uncomfortable conversations more beneficial as we plan for the future of our League.

The session entitled “No More White Saviors: Equity and Community Impact” challenged members to examine their current community projects and take a look at their true impact. In doing this, we also were challenged to examine our motives for participating in certain projects.

Our League has done a great job over the years of choosing and maintaining projects with a lasting influence on the community. Mentoring a young lady toward success or providing relief to a family with food insecurity reaches beyond our previous one-day, feel-good opportunities that leave members of the community with little more than a painted face, a sticker, a smile, and a checkmark beside our service obligation. Projects like MAGIC, the Red Apron Pantry, and Safe Sitter offer meaningful supports to our diverse community. After all, it is our role to support, not to save. We drop a pebble of hope into a large pond without ever knowing the full reach of the waves.

Our mission makes no distinction for which kind of women or which kind of people should reap the benefits of our volunteer efforts. There is an implied and understood ALL. We seek to develop the potential of ALL women and aim to improve ALL communities. For this reason, we must look beyond the comfortable, the obvious, and the popular to find the best avenues for our efforts. The true measure of diversity is the diversification of our thoughts and strategies for fulfilling our mission. In these challenging times when the world swirling around seems to aim to separate us rather than bring us together, I am reminded of the words of Audre Lorde, “It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences.” As we round out the year that has been 2020, let us step forward together as women setting an example of support and acceptance and step up as leaders to meet the desires of our members, the needs of our community, and the call of our legacy.

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Memorable Moment s

Artist for a Day at the Pumpkin Patch

Kendra Scott Holiday Pop-up 28

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Flu Shot Clinic

Cookbooks at the Farmer’s Market

Cookbooks

JLSB

Caitlin Cline

My, what a year 2020 has been. It seems like everyone is looking forward to the fresh start that 2021 will bring! Luckily, the celebrations of Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays are pretty terrific ways to bring this year to a close. Time for family, friends, and feasting is always a sure way to make your spirits bright. While coming up with the perfect holiday main courses, sides, desserts, and beverages can be stressful, the Junior League has you completely covered.

Over the past six decades, the women of Shreveport-Bossier have put their heart and soul into something that is a true love language—food.

Whether it is whipping out a family recipe, or making something new, the time and thought it takes to prepare a meal is a heartfelt gesture. I hope your holiday menu preparations are made a little easier knowing that the Junior League of has an arsenal of delicious recipes at your disposal.

The original A Cook’s Tour was the first cookbook that the Junior League compiled. It has some of the best home-style recipes right at your fingertips. These recipes are family legacies passed along throughout the decades that are tried and true crowd pleasers.

The Revel was the second Junior League cookbook that came into production. The Revel cookbook has pre-set menus for a wide array of events and holidays that occur throughout the year. Organized in a fantastic format that does so much of the thinking for you, this cookbook was ahead of its time.

The most recent and third cookbook that the Junior League brought to fruition is the sensational Mardi Gras to Mistletoe. While the menus are organized by monthly designation and seasonal availability, don’t be afraid to bring out your favorite recipes at any time of the year—Champagne Sorbet on a random Tuesday? Don’t mind if I do!

The time, energy, and love poured into these books are the legacy of the Junior League. Making these recipes are a delightful taste into the past and present flavors of Shreveport-Bossier. Guaranteed to have people asking you for the recipe, why not gift them with their own copy of one of the cookbooks so they can also share the love and delicious food with those closest to them.

Wishing you all a healthy and blessed remainder of 2020. Have a Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!

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A Cook’s Tour Green Bean Casserole, Pg 93 Stuffed Acorn Squash, Pg 114 Best Beef Brisket, Pg 193 Retail Price: $19.95

Advertiser Index CHRISTUS Health.....................................7 Erin Walker, DDS....................................11 Garden Park...........................................27 Graf Orthodontics.....................................8 Lee Michaels........................... Back Cover Sid Potts....................... Inside Front Cover 30

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Mardi Gras to Mistletoe Cranberry Salsa, Pg 176 Streusel-Topped Pumpkin Pie, Pg 185 Retail Price: $26.95

Revel Cookbook Almond-Bacon-Cheese Spread, Pg 58 Gingerbread People, Pg 341 Retail Price: $14.95 j l sb .o rg | W in te r 2 0 2 0 PARI S H S C OPE

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2601 LINE AVENUE SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA 71104

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