3039M Spring 2015 edition by Junior League of Washington

the official magazine of the

3039M junior league of washington

3039 M STREET, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20007 | 202.337.2001 | WWW.JLW.ORG

WHAT’S INSIDE

The Evolution of Tossed and Found A Brand New Look for Holiday Shops Growing Together: JLW Gardeners Junior League: A Family Tradition Meet a JLW Author

RIPPLE EFFECT EFFORTS OF JLW FELT ACROSS THE CAPITAL CITY

LETTERS

pring is always a busy time at the Junior League of Washington, as our projects and plans underway come to fruition in a full calendar of events. These seemingly longer days and extended sunshine are welcome as we transition more than 180 leadership positions and welcome more than 250 women to League membership. As a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International, we celebrate our founder Mary Harriman’s induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame. Harriman’s simple proposal in 1901 to improve social conditions in her city has grown to more than 292 independent leagues. As a League, we say thank you to each of our 2,400 trained volunteer members who continue their work to build a better Washington. We express gratitude to each donor and non-profit partner for their continued support. Together, we are making a difference through a strong Junior League of Washington. Under the creative leadership of Ellen Carmichael and Tara Andersen, this edition of 3039M is designed to share the story of the League and its work. May you be inspired and challenged by our story. Sincerely, JENNIFER HEMINGWAY President Junior League of Washington

MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE Ellen Carmichael Chair Tara Andersen Rising Chair

Spring 2015

Stephanie Fisher

Maggie Lyons

Alexandra Gombert

Ann Mills

Danielle Lee

Rose Silva

Meredith Lowery

Jamie Teufel

Elizabeth Lubben

Katrina Valdes

Megan Quinn

he Member Communications Committee is proud to present the Spring 2015 issue of 3039M. Inside, you’ll find informative and entertaining stories about our League – from a guide to securing a secondary placement; to profiles of valued community partners; to some unique JLW activities you can try. We were so immensely encouraged by the gracious praise we received from many JLW ladies who expressed gratitude for and admiration of the Fall 2014 issue of 3039M. For this reason, we urged JLW leadership to allow us to continue to print the magazine, and they generously obliged. Thanks to their appreciation of the hard work this committee does, as well as their additional financial support, this magazine arrives in your mailbox as a beautiful compilation of the great work our League does each and every day to make our community a better place to live. We hope you are pleased with the Spring 2015 issue of 3039M. It would not be possible without the tireless efforts and abundant creativity of the ladies of my committee, and for them, I am very grateful. I am also particularly indebted to my rising chair, Tara Andersen, who has taken the job title quite literally by rising to the occasion, proving especially adept at managing the organizational components of the magazine development. I feel confident in leaving the magazine in her hands next year. So, as the cherry blossoms do what they do best (attract tourists), and we retreat to outdoor spaces for good times with family and friends, I humbly remind you of our great fortune to live in such an extraordinary place that has captivated the hearts and minds of millions of people the world over. While we enjoy all our city has to offer, may we also remember our obligation to give back to it. Warmly, ELLEN CARMICHAEL Chair Member Communications Committee

IN THIS ISSUE

IN EVERY ISSUE

FEATURE

2 Letters

16 The Evolution of Tossed & Found

23 Recipe

WAYS & MEANS

32 Dates to Remember

COMMUNITY 4 Partner Profiles 5 Committee Profile 5 Signature Project 6 Bright Beginnings 5K 7 Kids in the Kitchen

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT 9 Meet Cameron Gilreath 10 The JLW from Every Angle 11 Authors of the JLW 12 Gardeners of the Junior League

20 Holiday Shops: A Smashing Success

President Jennifer Hemingway President-Elect Cameron Gilreath Secretary Catherine Blakley Treasurer Brooke Horiuchi

21 Holiday Shops: A Brand New Look

Vice-Treasurer Kelly Wilson-Pisciotta

MEMBER EDUCATION

Communications & PR Deidra Johnson

22 Leaders in Training

Youth & Family Community Placement Elizabeth Cathcart

24 Living the Brand 26 All About JLW Strategic Planning

Cultural Community Placement Genevieve Moreland

JLW 2013-2014 ANNUAL REPORT

Adult Community Placement Kimberly Tuomey

28 President’s Message 28 2013–2014 Highlights 29 Who We Are and What We Do 30 Community Grants and Budget 31 Annual Fund Donors

13 Kitchen Tour

Community Affairs Constance Christakos Membership Development Elizabeth Keys New Membership Amanda Walke Nominating Crystal Jezierski

14 JLW Family Tradition

Strategic Planning Stacie Andersen

CORRECTION In the Fall 2014 issue of 3039M, the article “Conversations with a JLW Legend” implied that Maria Estefania was JLW President when Bright Beginnings was founded. While Estefania was president during the year in which the launch of Bright Beginnings was planned and executed, it was founded prior to Estefania’s presidency with an effort spearheaded by Martie Kettmer, Eileen Evans and Sara DeCarlo.

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MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Junior League of Washington

@JLWDC

Sustainers Jan Abraham Ways & Means Anne Riser

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COMMUNITY

PARTNER PROFILE

826DC By Katrina Valdes

26DC is one of JLW’s newest community partners. The organization is “dedicated to supporting students ages 6-18 with their creative and expository writing skills, and to helping teachers inspire their students to write.” Their mission focuses on the idea that “great leaps in learning can happen with one-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills are fundamental to future success.” Founded in 2002 by author Dave Eggers and educator Ninive Calegari in California, 826 National now has six chapters across the country, including one in Washington, D.C. Originally created as “Capitol Writing Letters” in 2008, 826DC re-opened as an 826 National chapter in 2010 and partners with D.C. Public Schools. JLW’s involvement with 826DC started in 2012 when Resolution Read gave the program an opportunity grant to purchase tables, bookshelves and 250 books. In 2013, the program received another opportunity grant to purchase more items for their chapter, and also applied to the JLW Targeted Grants & Volunteer Resources Committee to receive placement status. 826DC was approved as a new Community Placement for JLW volunteers in 2014, and currently has 20 JLW volunteers who support “Reading All-Stars,” 826DC’s Saturday morning writing and literacy program at Harriet Tubman Elementary School in Columbia Heights. By being paired one-on-one with students to improve reading and writing skills, JLW volunteers help students read at their grade level and provide informal mentorship. Aside from the “Reading All-Stars program,” 826DC also offers after school tutoring, field trips, in-school tutoring, help for English language learners and assistance with student publication. By providing these services, the organization is able to help students strengthen their writing and literacy skills in a fun and nurturing environment. Brennan Hogan, JLW’s inaugural chair of 826DC’s placement said, “It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve as chair of 826DC in the first year of our new relationship. The full-time and volunteer staff at 826DC is enthusiastic, welcoming and constantly driven to provide exemplary programs for their students. Their focus on helping students in their community aligns seamlessly with the JLW volunteers’ willingness and desire to serve the community, and we all look forward to many more years in which to evolve this relationship.” Since 826 National is a nonprofit organization, each chapter center has a retail store that sells books and unusual products you might not find elsewhere. Purchases made at each store help to support and fund that chapter’s programs and projects.

Spring 2015

826DC’s Museum of Unnatural History’s merchandise does not disappoint. The museum features eye-catching décor and a built-in cave, in addition to selling unicorn tears, future mold and a koala containment kit. Next time you’re in Columbia Heights, make sure to stop by to purchase a unique gift for a loved one and support 826DC! • 826DC/The Museum of Unnatural History are located at 3233 14th Street NW, Washington D.C.

PARTNER PROFILE

IONA SENIOR SERVICES

By Stephanie Fischer

n any given Saturday, you can find JLW volunteers at Iona Senior Services in the Tenleytown area of Northwest Washington. JLW women provide critical support to Iona by delivering meals to seniors in our community who may not have the ability to cook on their own or have difficulty making the trip to the grocery store. JLW volunteers help to pack and deliver these meals 12 months out of the year. Since 1976, the JLW has provided support and assistance to Iona by not only delivering meals, but also helping with the Senior Farmers Market, assisting in a twice-yearly drive for toiletries and stocking Iona’s snack pantry with goodies. While these volunteers provide much needed support for many basic needs of the senior community, they also participate in the “Meet the Artists” reception at The Gallery at Iona. During the year, highly skilled professional artists, who also happen to be over the age of 60, put on special exhibitions of their artistic works for all members of the community to view. JLW volunteers help install the artists’ pieces, work to ensure the reception runs smoothly and pay special attention to make sure everyone in attendance meet, mingle and enjoy the exhibit. The Gallery at Iona also maintains a year-round collection of art of all different mediums and is located on-site. Committee Chair Francesca Purcell likened this year-round community placement to “a hidden gem” for members who have a busy workweek and are not able to volunteer until the weekend. This community placement also has an impressive retention rate among JLW members, currently with a group of 17 women who have chosen this placement for three or more years. •

COMMUNITY

COMMITTEE PROFILE

IDENTIFYING A

ESPRIT

SIGNATURE PROJECT

By Meredith Lowery

he Esprit Committee organizes social, educational and cultural events for the JLW membership to provide League volunteers, and often their guests and families, with a sense of community. Esprit provides a forum for volunteers to build friendships within the League and to share their placement experiences. Esprit also serves a recruiting function for the League as members often bring their friends to Esprit events for further introduction to the League and its volunteers The committee’s 25 members are divided into four subcommittees, including: • Sports and Fitness • Out and About • Moms Club • Speaker Series The Moms Club and Sports Club are growing in popularity and generate a lot of participation by League members. The Moms Club helps many members engage with other moms and targets a wide-range of needs, including for moms-to-be, moms with infants and toddlers and moms with older children. Additionally, the sports and fitness options provide an avenue for members to participate in activities that promote health and wellness. The committee has also begun to expand its speaker series. While Development & Training focuses on leadership and skills development, Esprit is taking on those learning and educational events that focus on life skills. For example, the committee recently hosted an event on home buying. Esprit encourages all JLW members to participate in the scheduled activities, as they continue to improve events and ensure there is something for everyone. Current chair Mandy Martin said, “Anyone who comes to an Esprit event will have someone to engage with, you will be welcomed. We don’t want anyone to feel alone.” •

By Maggie Lyons

his year, the League has taken steps towards selecting a signature project for the JLW. A signature project is typically something that the League can be involved in for at least five to ten years and has opportunities for all members to engage. “My hope would be that the signature project allows each member to participate as a way to help us connect to our mission and strengthen our internal sense of community,” said JLW President Jennifer Hemingway. As background, one focus of the League’s Strategic Plan is “Building Community Impact.” In keeping with that focus, the Board included an initiative in this year’s annual plan to “create and provide funding for ongoing League-wide volunteer opportunity where impact and hours/contribution can be measured.” The Board has had ongoing discussions around the type of project that would best serve our membership and the community we serve. And earlier this year, ideas for the project were solicited from JLW members. A presidential task force, chaired by Carrie Meadows, was set up to further explore the submissions and continue to develop additional ideas. Projects submitted by members thus far range from supporting the arts in D.C., setting up a partnership with the Smithsonian, working with children undergoing chemotherapy treatments for cancer, and finding ways to educate District youth on technology. Work to develop a signature project will continue this spring and into next year. If members have ideas or would like more information, please email president@jlw.org. •

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COMMUNITY

BEHIND THE SCENES

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS 5K RACE

By Meredith Lowery

right Beginnings Inc., created by the Junior League of Washington in 1991, is a nationally accredited child and family development center that provides programs and services for homeless infants, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as their families. Since its inception, Bright Beginnings has met the needs of approximately 1,700 homeless children by providing families with developmental childcare and family support services. Bright Beginnings serves about 186 children annually whose families are living in crisis shelters or transitional housing, and is in the midst of an expansion to double the number of children and families served Committee members are responsible for supporting and organizing several services and programs for homeless families. One of the year’s key events is the annual Bright Beginnings 5K Race. Bright Beginnings depends on the fundraising from the race to meet their annual budget to provide needed services to the homeless children they serve. Stacey Tuneski, Bright Beginnings Committee Chair, and Robin Jones, Bright Beginnings 5K Race Co-Chair, took some time to provide insight into the planning required to organize this great event, as well as the impact on the community:

There are additional key planning activities that include: • Confirming vendors and corporate sponsors, • Developing and getting approval for signage to promote the race, and other public relations activities, • Processing registrations, and • Securing prizes and additional supplies for race participants (e.g., food, water).

What are some of the activities that go into organizing the 5K race? When planning the 5K, it is important to consider the timing given other activities that the committee organizes throughout the League year. Based on that, the spring has been the best time to hold the race. Support and planning for this event is a year-round effort. We submit the application for the following year’s race in March. We work to get a permit from the National Park Service, which is a big driver in terms of when and where we hold the race and how early we can start promoting the race. We collaborate with National Park Service to confirm the date of the race and the racecourse, and to ensure there is the appropriate coverage for the event, including park police presence and the proper number of volunteers.

In addition to the 5K, the Bright Beginnings Committee organizes and participates in activities that support literacy, including weekly connections nights for parents receiving literacy and life skills training. The committee organizes two literacy nights in the fall and spring and an annual holiday party. It also manages the wish list for the children at Bright Beginnings to provide them a complete outfit, including coats, hats, mittens and a toy for the holidays. Tuneski said of the committee’s important role, “Bright Beginnings is continuing our commitment to homeless children and their families by providing trained volunteers to assist in the children’s classrooms and raising necessary funds so that Bright Beginnings can continue their work.” •

Spring 2015

The race is open to the general public – less than half of the participants are League members. What are the highlights from this year’s race? This year, there were 788 runners, and the race raised $64,000 in funds for Bright Beginnings. How has the money raised from the 5K race impacted the community and the committee’s ability to continue to improve our community? All of the proceeds from the 5K go directly to Bright Beginnings and support their programs to provide educational and therapeutic support for children and their families. The race is also a great opportunity to market the Junior League of Washington and our impact on the community.

COMMUNITY

MAKING HEALTHY LIVING FUN

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN 2015 By Rose Overbey Silva

Kids in the Kitchen participants learning about the benefits of exercise

his year’s Kids in the Kitchen took place on the first Saturdays in January and again March. After weeks of exceptionally cold and snowy weather, the atmosphere at Children’s National Medical Center and the YMCA National Capital was anything but frosty. “Our goal is to make healthy living more than eating fruits and veggies – it can be fun, exciting and easy,” said Marta Hernandez, the communications coordinator for Kids in the Kitchen. The Junior League’s Community Events Planning committee, which was in charge of the event, surpassed its goal. “Despite the cold temperatures, we had a great turnout from families around D.C., as well as from JLW community partners like Literacy Lab and Horton’s Kids,” said Hernandez. “Parents said they were thrilled to have an active, indoor activity for their kids after the freezing cold and snow of the past few weeks.” The two separate events catered to nearly 700 children this year. The Community Events Planning committee made sure that activities were both educational and entertaining. One activity showed guests how to “dress up their water,” and another had children decorate fruit and veggie “bugs” with FRESHFARM Markets. For future chefs, there were cooking demonstrations and tastings with Lindamood Bell, NanBon and Tiny Chefs. And the committee provided face painting, reading activities and much more. For action-oriented children, there were also fitness classes geared toward kids throughout the day – Lil Omm Yoga, Zumba, Bar Method

Face painting station at Kids in the Kitchen

and Patriot Crossfit all participated. Throughout the day, guests had the opportunity to test their physical prowess by participating in an obstacle course. Children attending the March 7 event had access to a free dental screening on the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures van. This is the third year in a row the van has partnered with the JLW to provide this service. Children participating in the January 7 event sampled a healthy snack in Black’s Kitchen, part of the Washington Nationals Diabetes Care Complex at Children’s National Medical Center. As a testament to the impact of the event, Kids in the Kitchen has made and maintained impressive partnerships. “Like in past years, the Mayflower Hotel brought delicious banana bread, and Sapore Oil and Vinegar offered samples of its wares,” said Hernandez. This year, Kids in the Kitchen worked to get kids as involved as possible in every activity. “We really stepped up our offerings for door prizes this year,” said Hernandez. “We had lots of great giveaways thanks to our partners – DVDs from Viacom, a learning assessment test from Lindamood Bell and sports equipment and gift certificates from gracious donors.” The event also gives League women across many committees a chance to come together to volunteer. Almost 100 JLW women from the Community Events Planning committee, as well as other League placements, volunteered at the 2015 Kids in the Kitchen events. •

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COMMUNITY

LITERACY ALL YEAR LONG By Leslie Ogden

s the sidewalks started to melt and the streets began to thaw, Washingtonians across the District prepare to enjoy friends and outdoor fun in the spring and summer seasons. But as we enjoy the warmer months in Washington, how can we, as volunteers, stay engaged and continue to address the complex issue of literacy? During the fall and spring months, many JLW volunteers spend their time working to improve children’s literacy through our various placements, such as reading and tutoring young students at 826DC, distributing books to community organizations through Resolution Read and tutoring at-risk children through Horton’s Kids. However, one of the biggest problems in the summer months is that children who are out of school and without resources can fall behind in reading – this is often referred to as “the summer slide.” According to The National Summer Learning Association (NSLA), “all young people experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer.” And “low income students… lose more than two months in reading achievement, despite the fact that their middle-class peers make slight gains.” To bridge the gap during the summer months when students are not in school, the JLW supports programming and community partners to help keep children from falling behind. For example, JLW’s Resolution Read Committee provides resources, including books, to schools and other groups to implement their education programs over the summer. Committee volunteers work with community partners like Horton’s Kids, Literacy Lab and Bright Beginnings to provide books that students, particularly those in elementary school, can take home for the summer. Resolution Read also accepts applications for books from other community organizations. The Committee has donated books to the Washington School for Girls and will participate with them in a discussion on “resilience” in the Spring. These donated books can help battle the summer slide by engaging children in learning throughout the summer. “We’re trying to make sure kids have books at home, and not just in their classrooms, to help beat the summer slide,” Resolution Read Chair Lauren Airey said. JLW also provides volunteer resources to the Higher Achievement Program. Currently, seven JLW members are serving as weekly mentors for scholars during Afterschool Academy. These mentors play a vital role in the organization’s mission and success by providing rigorous academic tutoring to their scholars, as well as a supportive adult relationship to guide scholars on soft skills such as resilience, confidence and attitude.

Spring 2015

To combat the summer slide, Higher Achievement conducts a rigorous six-week Summer Academy program. The summer literature curriculum is based around a specific grade-level book, and scholars learn essential reading and writing skills. Additionally, Higher Achievement has a daily program in the summer called Mastery Mania, when scholars work on tailored lessons based on skills they need in reading and math.

“WE’RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE KIDS HAVE BOOKS AT HOME...TO HELP BEAT THE SUMMER SLIDE.” Although Mastery Mania is not a program JLW volunteers participate in, it is a critical service that a wonderful JLW community partner provides to the community. Recent summer analysis showed that Higher Achievement scholars not only avoided the typical summer learning slide, but actually showed gains beyond an equal amount of time spent in school. Whether you get involved through these initiatives, or you know children you can reach out to or mentee through another program like Big Brothers, Big Sisters, NSLA suggests reading with the child every day, taking him or her to the library and participating in a summer reading program, or visiting museums and cultural centers. These easy activities will have an impact, not just on this young person’s reading skills and the return to school in the fall, but on that child’s life. So block out some time this summer to volunteer in our community to help a child retain and improve their reading capabilities. It’s worth it! •

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR 2015–2016 PRESIDENT

CAMERON GILREATH By Alexandra Gombert

ach year, as new leaders come on board, JLW takes stock of its mission, goals and future plans. Cameron Gilreath, JLW president-elect, shares with 3039M her vision and goals for the JLW during the 2015-2016 year. When discussing her visions and goals for next year, Cameron detailed her interest in three key areas: growth, membership and training. The common definition of growth is typically an increase of size and numbers. For the JLW’s leadership team, the definition of growth means much more. The JLW’s mission remains to train its members to serve and improve the Washington, D.C. community. This year’s board began the process of examining whether the time is right for the JLW to increase its impact by embarking on a new, large-scale signature project. The board sought ideas from membership and this spring, current President Jennifer Hemingway established a task force, chaired by Carrie Meadows, to carry the effort forward. Next year’s leadership will continue to examine JLW’s impact in the community and will actively seek and evaluate new opportunities. Alongside increasing the JLW’s community impact, Cameron is also eager to ensure the JLW meets the changing needs of its membership. She plans to set up a task force to examine how the JLW can best ensure members at every level and at every stage of life remain engaged and involved with the League. The task force will evaluate the JLW’s membership model and its offerings as it examines our members’ needs. The group will provide recommendations to the Board next fall for ways the JLW can increase members’ connection to and participation in the League. With training as an integral part of the JLW mission, next year’s leadership will also focus on increasing training opportunities for members. The Development & Training Committee currently provides training to all JLW members, helping us become more effective volunteers and community leaders. In recent years, members have become increasingly interested in leadership training. This year, the Get on Board! four-session course was created to prepare JLW members to serve on community boards – whether ours or others. There was an overwhelming member interest with over 100 members applying for forty spots. Next year, the course will be offered again, and leadership will build on the curriculum by creating a Leadership Institute, which will provide additional training opportunities, focusing on topics such as how to create a committee budget, how to deal with conflict and team dynamics, and how to set an agenda and run a meeting. These courses will provide a tremendous opportunity for all JLW members to develop skills they can use in both their volunteer and professional lives.

MEET CAMERON Cameron was born in Atlanta, GA, and grew up in Georgia and Florida before graduating from the University of South Carolina with a degree in English. From there, Cameron went to Emory Law School. Originally intending to go into international law, it was while interning at a D.C. firm that a family friend (and former Junior League president) who was a Member of Congress offered Cameron a first taste of Capitol Hill by providing an opportunity to intern on the Hill, where she quickly realized her passion lay in politics and policy. After graduating in 2000, Cameron spent almost six years on Capitol Hill before joining Time Warner’s Global Public Policy office, where as Vice President, Public Policy, she develops and manages the company’s policy agenda on intellectual property and trade/international issues, representing the company before Congress and various federal agencies. Since joining the Junior League of Washington in 2001, Cameron has held a number of positions including Secretary, Nominating Committee Chair, Ways & Means Council Director, Assistant Ways & Means Council Director, Centennial Committee Chair (the first year) and Co-Chair of the Holiday Shops Committee. She has also served on the Fund Development, Strategic Planning and Corcoran Gallery of Art Committees. Cameron also has led a number of organizations outside of the League, including serving on the Board of the Washington Literacy Center and co-chairing the Trust for the National Mall’s Corporate Committee and its L’Enfant Society, where she helped create the Ball on the Mall. She is also a former Chair of Taste of the South. In her spare time, Cameron nurtures her love of travel and has been to six of the seven continents. Her favorite trips include climbing Kilimanjaro and visiting Antarctica.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

THE JLW FROM EVERY ANGLE

I STAY CONNECTED BY...

By Ann Mills Lassiter

ith summer quickly approaching, we wanted to find out how JLW members stay plugged in during the summer. Although there are fewer official League activities, we know that doesn’t hold any of you back, so we reached out to ask a few of you how you stay connected to the JLW or to the broader community during the summer?

Betty Royster, JLW New Member “As a new member, I’ve had the chance to meet so many interesting women with diverse personal and professional backgrounds throughout the course of this year. I’m looking forward to continuing to develop these relationships this summer and become more fully integrated into the League through my committee placement.” Anne Spangler, JLW Active “Like most people, I enjoy travel and recharging with my in and out-of-town family and friends during the summer. I like receiving the Hotline during the summer, and it is always a good reminder for me to log in to my JLW account to check out any fun summer activities or volunteer opportunities. The mini-break I take during the summer months helps to charge my anticipation so that I am excited to dive back into League activities in the fall.”

JLW EMBRACES

THE ANCIENT SPORT OF BOCCE

By: Ann Mills Lassiter

adies of the JLW are taking part in a sporting tradition stretching back several millennia – bocce. During the winter of 2014, five JLW members recruited friends to form the first-ever JLW Bocce Team, and the JLW Esprit Committee, eager to find new ways to bring members together on a weekly basis, supported the project. In addition to offering members the opportunity to learn and play this international and lifetime sport, the committee wanted to gauge interest from JLW ladies in continuing to offer regular, team-focused activities and events for the League.

Spring 2015

Shaqueta Pierre During the summer I stay to connected by continuing to follow the JLW, its community partners, and League members on social media. Twitter, Facebook, and the JLW Blog are great sources to find out about events and activities happening throughout the summer. I’ve made a lot of great friends through the League and summers are always fun for outdoor brunches, bbqs, concerts, and museums, things I don’t always have time to do during the rest of the year. Sondra Deeble, JLW Sustainer “This summer I will plan and organize activities for the Gardeners Too sustainer interest group.” •

“This was a test run to see how much the JLW would like to expand into other events sponsored weekly by other event leagues in the city,” bocce team member Kristina Lennox explained. The sport, which was first played during the Roman Empire, requires two teams, a group of small balls and a playing area. The first team tosses or rolls the first ball, referred to as the “jack” or “pallino” into the playing area, and then each team competes to roll their ball closest to the “jack.” In its inaugural year, the team played bocce together every Wednesday evening on the bocce court at Black Jack from mid-January through early March. The bocce season consisted of six weeks of games and two weeks of playoffs. So far, it seems the League’s team is pretty competitive, even against some seasoned professionals. As team member Kristina Lennox boasts, “Just.Lady.Winners. know how to dominate the court!” •

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

AUTHORS OF THE JLW

TYLER COHEN WOOD

By Danielle Lee

unior League of Washington member Tyler Cohen Wood is the author of “Catching the Catfishers: Disarm the Online Pretenders, Predators, and Perpetrators Who Are Out to Ruin Your Life.” Her book focuses on navigating the web and online world safely for you and your family. Wood is a Cyber Division Chief for the Defense Intelligence Agency and Department of Defense. What inspired your second book “Catching the Catfishers”? Before joining DIA, most of my background was in digital forensics, and I saw a lot of situations where children and adults were being victimized. I wanted to create a non-technical guide that could help people protect themselves and their family online. “Catching the Catfishers” is a guide that will teach you and your kids how to protect yourself online. It is the first book of its kind that teaches you how to read deception in the online domain. I wanted it to be something fun and easy to read, so that young adults would be able to pick it up and learn about protecting themselves online. I have received a lot of feedback from readers on how the book has helped them. I had one teenager reach out about her experience. She was communicating with someone online and used the checklist in the book to spot red flags about the person she was communicating with, and it saved her from a potentially dangerous situation. How did you make time to write while balancing work and family? You have to find time and sit down and write, even it is for an hour or two each day. Make sure to dedicate time to sit down and write without making excuses. There will always be distractions, but you have to sit down and prioritize writing.

What advice do you have for other aspiring authors? My advice is to just keep trying. In the publishing industry you are going to find a lot of rejection, but there is always a way. If you want to go the traditional publishing route, it is very difficult. Some people will find that it is very harsh and unkind, but you cannot give up. You have to use the contacts you have, social media and stay persistent and believe in yourself.

I WANTED IT TO BE SOMETHING FUN AND EASY TO READ, SO THAT YOUNG ADULTS WOULD BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP AND LEARN ABOUT PROTECTING THEMSELVES ONLINE. Do you have plans for future books? I am working on two books right now. One is geared towards corporations and teaching them how to protect themselves at the managerial level. It goes through case studies and shows companies what they need to know so they are not the next news story. The second book is a young adult novel on hacking. I am hoping to have these books released in the next year or two. •

What’s on your bookshelf right now? I’m an eclectic reader; I love reading all kinds of genres. Magazines are one of my favorite things to read and [are] how I keep up to date on the latest and greatest trends. I also like to read chick lit books, such as Sophie Kinsella, and young adult novels.

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

THE GARDENERS OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE CELEBRATE

60 YEARS OF FLOWERING FRIENDSHIP By Rose Overbey Silva

he Gardeners of the Junior League kicked off its 60th anniversary in 2014 at their Biannual Flower Show. The title of the show was Diamond Jubilee, and the theme was “Oldies but Goodies: 1954-2014.” The 60th anniversary flower show consisted of Horticulture, Design and Artistic Crafts divisions – the latter two having classes with titles inspired by songs of the ‘60s: Light My Fire, Footloose, and others. Members exhibiting in the Horticulture division brought in horticulture specimens that they nurtured themselves – indoors or in their garden. The Gardeners of the Junior League is an interest group under the Junior League Sustainers. There are currently 39 members, including two new Sustainers the group welcomed this year. Elise Gillette, President of the Gardeners of the Junior League, describes the club as “a longstanding group of Junior League Sustainers who share an interest in, and love of gardening, flowers and flower arranging.” “We meet on the first Tuesday of the month from October through December and February to June, in members’ homes and at other venues,” said Gillette. “We may have speakers come in, or do a floral workshop, and we take occasional field trips. Programs are followed by a lunch provided by our member or hostess group.”

Spring 2015

The Gardeners group works to foster love of gardening and to promote environmental awareness, conservation and stewardship of our natural resources. They also draw on their JLW heritage of community service by supporting Bright Beginnings’ Adopt-a-Family program during the holidays. Gillette notes friendship is an integral part of their organization, “We come together to learn, share our experiences and knowledge, and very importantly, enjoy friendships – which in many instances are lifelong.” The 60th anniversary year culminated with a luncheon celebration in November, which featured videos of Gardeners club events and meetings. In addition, a member from each decade gave remarks about the club and its history. After their celebratory year, the Gardeners club now looks forward to continued creative experiences in 2015. They began their 61st year at Seabury Friendship Terrace, a retirement community where they made Valentine-themed arrangements with the residents. Hearts and smiles were the order of the day. As her term comes to an end in June, Gillette looks forward to “passing the gavel” to her Vice President, Vicki Campbell, who will continue the Gardeners’ history of friendship, community service and all things gardening. •

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

BE OUR GUEST

MAKING A KITCHEN TOUR

n's f Washingto o e u g a e L r The Junio 4th Annual

By Stephanie Fischer

hile wandering through some of the District’s most beautiful kitchens and homes on April 18, 2015, it’s easy to forget the amount of work required to create such a diverse and well-attended event. Planning for the JLW’s 4th Annual Kitchen Tour began early last fall, and the event would not be a success without the over 100 volunteers who assisted in various capacities during the planning, coordination and management of the tour. The Kitchen Tour kicked off earlier this year with “Ring in the New Year” in January at Pepco Edison Place Gallery. More than 200 JLW members and guests enjoyed food and beverages from local bars and restaurants featured on the tour. Each house on the tour featured a unique experience created by local vendors, chefs and mixologists, including tastings and demonstrations. All guests received goodie bags and were eligible for door prizes throughout the tour. Just a few of the tasting partners working with the JLW this year included: Medium Rare, Pete’s New Haven Style Apizza, Nonna’s Kitchen, Hank’s Oyster Bar, Black Finn, Cava Mezza, Puja Satiani Chocolatier, Sprinkles Cupcakes, Jam Jar Wines, Port City Brewing Company, Cooper Fox Distillery and Lagunitas Brewing Company. •

ome Styling

, Snacks, & H Featuring Sips

- 4:00 p.m. 18th | 12:00 Saturday, April Street th 14 d an Dupont Circle

LW.org

.J lable at www

Tickets avai

JLW members and guests mix and mingle on the 2015 Kitchen Tour

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Spring 2015

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Y L I FAM THE JUNIOR LEAGUE AS A

N O I T I D TRA By Stephanie Fischer

s proud members of the JLW, we often think of our own experiences – how our volunteer work will make a difference in the community, how our memories are shaped by our time in the League and how acquaintances from a single event can become lifelong friends. Many JLW members grew up knowing very little about the Junior League aside from many Leagues’ wonderful cookbooks. Admittedly, some of my “secret family recipes” came from Junior League cookbooks. I learned recently that many of my mother’s “family recipes” indeed came from The Junior League of Atlanta’s cookbook. Other JLW members grew up watching their mothers, aunts, sisters or other women in their community volunteer in their respective Leagues, seeing firsthand the League’s collective impact. The JLW has many members who grew up around a League. Laura Iverson, an active member who transferred from The Junior League of Boston, had an aunt and cousin in The Junior League of Baton Rouge. Sarah Kelley, an active transfer member from The Junior League of Tallahassee, watched her mother volunteer as a member of The Junior League of Miami. Many JLW women joined because they grew up watching a close family member’s involvement and leadership with their local League. Katia Todd joined after watching her godmother, Diane Scovell, become involved in The Junior League of Dallas. Her godmother sponsored her when she decided to join. Lauren Scott’s mother, Sherry Scott, originally took on leadership roles in The Junior League of Cincinnati, and ended up transferring

as a Sustainer to The Junior League of Charlotte to continue her involvement. While in Cincinnati, Sherry she was a fundraising co-chair for many years and also a co-chair for the Board of Training and Development Committee. Once in Charlotte, she volunteered as a Sustainer mentor to a Provisional class and continued to sponsor talented young women interested in joining the League. Sherry’s involvement has proved an inspiration to Lauren. While many JLW members had no association with The League prior to joining, some, especially from smaller towns, saw neighbors reflect the values of the Junior League by donating their time to other likeminded organizations such as the Service League and Meals on Wheels. For current members, these organizations reflect the League’s mission of promoting voluntarism. JLW member Kyla Stone grew up in a remote area where there were no Leagues. Her mother grew up in England and was not familiar with the Junior League. When I reached out to her about whether or not she was a legacy, her reply was moving and truly embodied what it means to be a proud JLW member. “I unfortunately am not a legacy and am the first in my family to join,” Stone said. “We are from a remote town in North Carolina and there are no local chapters. I was drawn to the Junior League because of the young ladies’ passion and the difference they make in the community, and hope that I might be the first line of a legacy.” Members like Kyla are why the Junior League is able to continue its work in the community and beyond, and I know we all hope everyone will strive to leave that kind of legacy on the community they serve, the JLW and beyond. •

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& D E S S TO

D N U FO Growth and Success Through the Years By Jamie Teufel, Danielle Lee, and Katrina Valdes

Spring 2015

TOSSED & FOUND

he annual Tossed & Found sale is one of JLW’s signature fundraising events, bringing in thousands of shoppers from all over the Greater Washington Metro area. The event is well known for its amazing deals on quality goods, carefully curated by members of the JLW’s Tossed and Found committee from League member donations. Since its inception, Tossed & Found has grown exponentially. In 1993, the inaugural event raised $17,000 and by 2005, it had surpassed the $100,000 mark. Last year’s event raised more than $130,000. And since that first sale in 1993, Tossed & Found has raised more than $2 million in direct support of the League’s mission! In 2014, the Association of Junior Leagues International recognized the success of Tossed & Found by awarding the JLW its top fundraising honor, the Junior League Award for Fund Development. The award recognizes exceptional fundraising programs and campaigns that enable Leagues to operate effectively and to support their community impact and membership development initiatives. Here’s how it all works:

COMMUNITY PARTNERS Tossed & Found isn’t just a rummage sale. It’s a helping hand for our neighbors in need. As part of the Tossed & Found weekend, members once again had the opportunity to purchase a Community Cash Card. The Community Cash Card program, which has been in place since 2008, allows shoppers to purchase cards for deserving charities and individuals. Beneficiaries may then redeem the cards for merchandise at the sale. The program has provided more than 1,300 Community Cash Cards to JLW Community Partners and other area charities and neighbors in need to redeem for merchandise at the sale. These cards have facilitated the donation of over $50,000

worth of merchandise to deserving community partners and individuals. Additionally, Tossed & Found has increased its community impact by “freecycling” unsold merchandise to charities. One of those charities, and a long-time partner of Tossed & Found, is New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (NYAPC).

ONE REASON WHY TOSSED & FOUND IS SO SUCCESSFUL IS THAT IT IS MORE THAN JUST THE SALE. For more than 30 years, NYAPC has been welcoming men and women living on the street or in a shelter to a Sunday morning coffee hour. Today, the program has grown from a safe environment and a warm cup of coffee, to a room that includes a clothes closet where visitors can get clean clothes for job interviews, work, or to meet their basic needs. Many of those clothes have come from JLW donations to Tossed & Found. 3039M recently heard from Doug Norwood of NYAPC about the organization’s long-standing partnership with Tossed and Found: For us, it’s like Christmas in March. We are an all-volunteer, shoestring operation that relies almost entirely on donations to help our guests, and Tossed & Found really gives us a huge boost every year. The reality is that most of our guests don’t have the wherewithal to launder and store clothing, so the need for clean

clothing is constant. And it allows them to go on job interviews or to court or church, and it removes one of the more obvious things that separate them from everyone else. They no longer “look” homeless, and I think that’s huge. Every year, we thank the Lord for the Junior League!

THE NUTS AND BOLTS Tossed & Found has evolved over the years into the successful, award-winning event we all enjoy today. With roots back to the 1920s, when JLW began its first thrift shop, Tossed & Found has opened its doors all across our community, from the original sale site at the Falls Church City Civic Center, to a former Magruders in Rockville and vacated office space in Friendship Heights, to its current location in Crystal City. Through partnerships built with companies in the area, the JLW has secured donated space for the sale site since 1997. Over the years, Vornado/Charles E. Smith has been as a generous partner to the League, contributing vacated retail space in Baileys Crossroads in 2002 and 2003, and then vacated retail and office spaces in Crystal City since 2007. This year’s location has electricity, on-site restrooms, large windows for welcoming natural light and a private floor for the sale, which have not always been guaranteed at past sale sites. The event is so successful that it keeps committee members around for several years, including this year’s Public Relations Chair, Sara McGanity. McGanity began her tenure with Tossed & Found in 2009 as a mini-placement and has worked in various capacities in the years since. In 2015, McGanity headed the public relations effort for Tossed & Found. McGanity notes the location site as the most substantial change over the

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TOSSED & FOUND

Tossed & Found volunteers ring up shopper purchases.

years. “The event space makes a significant difference for both the committee and sale shoppers,” McGanity said. “It is because of the continued sponsorship of the Crystal City BID and Vornado/ Charles E. Smith that Tossed & Found is able to keep its operating expenses down – which enables us to give even more of our proceeds back to the JLW mission. This partnership not only helps JLW, but also brings many people to the Crystal City neighborhood - JLW and community members alike.” The Committee has also updated its donation drop-off process in recent years. JLW members can now utilize a “drive through” option, where Tossed & Found volunteers in green aprons lead members to the garage underneath the sale site and retrieve their donations from cars. This expedites the process for both committee members and those dropping off donations.

Spring 2015

Shoppers complete their purchases at Tossed & Found

A JLW MOMENT One reason why Tossed & Found is so successful is that it is more than just the sale. It includes numerous events in the lead up to the March 21 opening, which involve JLW members and community partners. The well-attended kickoff in January brought JLW members and their friends together at the Crystal City Underground for “Diamonds and Dessert,” which was co-sponsored by Crystal Couture and Naked Mountain Winery. The committee also hosted a clothing and accessories

swap in late February and a Children’s Trunk Show in early March. This year’s annual sale weekend began with a preview event on Friday, March 20, where attendees’ tickets gave them first access to this year’s sale. The “Hoops and Heels Preview Night” also included live and silent auctions on vacation packages, spa services and other luxury items donated by generous JLW supporters. Over the years, Tossed & Found has continued to improve the shopper’s experience and to adapt to the growth of the JLW and the needs of the community. And one thing is certain: the generous contributions from partners and the strong commitment of JLW membership will ensure the success of this event for many years to come. •

TOSSED & FOUND

TOSSED & FOUND A Look Back in Photos

1937

1995

1946

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WAYS & MEANS

2014 HOLIDAY SHOPS

A SMASHING SUCCESS! By Maggie Lyons

Holiday Shops 2014

he 56th Holiday Shops was a resounding success. The event continues to be a major fundraiser for the JLW, and an enjoyable event to attend for both League and non-League shoppers. Not only was the Holiday Shops Committee able to put on a fabulous weekend of events, they also raised over $120,000 in direct support of the League’s mission. More than 2,000 attendees enjoyed the sale, and the Breakfast honoring Sustainers and past presidents was sold out. Sixty total merchants participated in Holiday Shops, which made for the largest merchant pool the JLW has had during our time at the Sphinx Club. Attendees were impressed with the wide variety of items sold by venders this year, including “chalkboard” tablecloths and entertaining accessories from Annabelle

Spring 2015

Noel Designs, monogrammed items from Toggle and of course, a wide variety of jewelry and art. At the conclusion of the event, this year’s Holiday Shops cochairs Carly Rockstroh and Molly Boyl said, “We are so grateful for the support of all of our Steering and full committee members, as well as every active, new member, transfer and sustainer who volunteered. It was a privilege for us to co-chair Holiday Shops and we cannot wait to see what is to come for the 57th Holiday Shops with the very creative and classy Eleanor Worthy and Rynnie Cotter.” The success of this year’s Holiday Shops was evident to all who attended. Congratulations to the entire committee for representing the League so well by running such a successful event. •

WAYS & MEANS

SNEAK PEEK: HOLIDAY SHOPS 2015 HAS A

BRAND NEW LOOK By Elizabeth Lubben

The JLW’s 57th annual Holiday Shops will have a new location, a new show weekend and a new look. Holiday Shops 2015 November 5–8 The Renaissance Hotel 999 Ninth Street NW Washington, DC The League’s oldest fundraiser, Holiday Shops, has provided valuable training to League members while funding our mission for decades, and this year’s Steering Committee wants to continue that success – on a larger scale. The event’s new location, The Renaissance Hotel, is situated directly between CityCenterDC and Gallery Place, two vibrant hubs great for restaurants, shopping and events of all types. The Renaissance also provides a large space for shopping and special events, valet parking, easy Metro access and all of the typical amenities provided by a hotel venue. While the 2015 show will take place earlier than in recent years, running November 5–8, this date harkens back to the original Holiday Shops, which was held at the end of October. The earlier weekend will allow participants to kick off their holiday shopping with the JLW while maximizing their opportunities to order custom gifts. Further, holding the event in early November reduces scheduling conflicts with other holiday plans or events shoppers may attend. The 2015 Holiday Shops logo is also inspired by this storied event’s rich history. In 1958, the Washington Post referred to the first holiday show as the “League Yule Shop,” and the event’s colors were gold and white. The 2015 logo honors this history and celebrates our glowing present, embracing A Capital Collection of recent years – including the Capitol dome – and adding a bit of sparkle to illuminate the more than half-century old tradition. Co-Chairs Rynnie Cotter and Eleanor Worthy have put together a steering committee that is dedicated to making this year’s show the best yet. “Not many people know this, but we first met each other during our New Member year,” said Cotter and Worthy. “Looking back over the years, we are grateful for the friendships made and the many leadership development opportunities Holiday Shops has provided us.” “Now, as co-chairs of the 57th Annual Holiday Shops, we are eager to carry on the proud tradition of this storied fundraiser. Plus, what could be better than a placement that includes shopping, girlfriends and giving back to the community and the League?” •

A 2014 Holiday Shops vendor shows off her great products for sale

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AJLI

ZOOMING OUT/ZOOMING IN

LEADERS IN TRAINING By Elizabeth Lubben

Eleanor Worthy

Maya Shih

Spring 2015

art of the League’s mission includes a commitment to developing the potential of women. The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) provides Leagues leadership training at a cost through its Organizational Development Institute. The JLW funded eight volunteers to attend ODI sessions. Among JLW’s attendees were Holiday Shops rising co-chair Eleanor Worthy and Friends of the JLW Chair Maya Shih. After learning about the program and expressing interest in attending to their respective council directors, the Nominating Committee selected them to attend the trainings. While Worthy and Shih attended different weekends, their participation was driven by similar goals for their committees, and their experiences speak to the positive impact ODIs can have on leaders in training. Worthy’s ODI weekend took her to Grapevine, deep in the heart of Texas, where she joined 400 other delegates from 111 leagues. “As co-chair of the 2015 Holiday Shops, I was eager to attend the ODI conference to learn more about key fund development principles and best practices that I could bring back and share with JLW,” said Worthy. “I was also very interested in meeting and learning from women in leagues across the country. I had meaningful discussions with members from Fort Worth, Long Beach, Northern Virginia and Tulsa, just to name a few!” Last fall, Shih found herself in Kansas City, MO (while the KC Royals were playing in the World Series, no less!), with similar aspirations for her ODI experience. “I wanted to learn more about looking at fundraising more holistically,” Shih explains. “As the Chair of Friends of the Junior League, I had a pretty good understanding about how we raise personal donations, but I wanted to better understand how all of our fundraisers could work together and how we could expand to diversify our fund development.” Shih also noted the unique opportunity to hear from members of other leagues – 240 delegates from 87

leagues – and compare their challenges and successes to those of the JLW. “I have only ever been in the Junior League of Washington,” notes Shih, “so it was an extremely eye-opening experience to meet women from other leagues and to hear about the exciting things they were doing.”

ODI OFFERS THE CHANCE TO MEET AJLI STAFF AND TO LEARN ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION’S RESOURCES, INCLUDING WEEKLY WEBINARS, AVAILABLE ONLINE TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE JUNIOR LEAGUE. Worthy agreed. “The material was so engaging and relevant, I could not wait to share with my committee upon my return,” she said. When asked about a meaningful moment from their experiences, Worthy and Shih both referenced their track facilitators and the important advice they imparted. “Our instructor, JuWon Choi, talked about the donor development cycle and the steps necessary to raise money,” Worthy remembers. “Fundraising is really about selling the product, as the ‘ask’ portion of the cycle constitutes just 5 percent of time. I realized we are providing donors the opportunity to partner with a

RECIPE

long-standing organization and to support the community. It was a light bulb moment!” “Our facilitator, Carol Scott, offered great advice, such as ‘everyone should own every aspect of the mission’,” Shih added. “This was particularly meaningful to me because it is so easy to think about the League’s mission in terms of your current placement without extending it to the other areas… it helped me to step back and look at everything the JLW does as a whole.” Both women also learned a lot in conversations about why donors agree to give to leagues, rather than circumvent an often-perceived “pass through” organization and give directly to the community organizations we serve. “But the JLW is a community organization,” Worthy notes. “The League is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Our fundraisers are a vital part of achieving our mission. Not only does the money raised support our community through direct grants, but it is also a direct investment in each of us.” “I realized that, at the end of the day, people give to the Junior League because we are worthy, not needy!” Shih adds. “It can be easy to fall into the mindset of asking for donations as opposed to asking someone to support our amazing mission. But we all believe the JLW is worthy; otherwise we would not volunteer year after year. It is our duty to share that belief with prospective donors.” In addition to meeting women from other Leagues, ODI offers the chance to meet AJLI staff and to learn about the association’s resources, including weekly webinars, available online to all members of the Junior League. Worthy and Shih returned home feeling confident in the JLW’s fund development plan, but also recognizing opportunities for improvement – such as exploring strategies for turning patrons of special events into long-term donors – as part of growing the League’s culture of philanthropy. Moreover, each is armed with a new perspective on how to provide a meaningful placement experience for their committees. When asked to share their final thoughts, Shih said, “I think that I wouldn’t be me or true to what I learned at ODI if I didn’t plug supporting our mission through the Friends of the Junior League!” Worthy’s shared this enthusiasm, explaining, “After my ODI Fundraising training, I cannot help but make a shameless plug for Holiday Shops! I invite everyone to please join me November 5–8 for the 57th Annual Holiday Shops.” •

FROM THE

JLW COOKBOOK SESAME CHICKEN KABOBS As the weather warms up, we are planning our next outdoor get together. These Sesame Chicken Kabobs are perfect for a summer cookout! • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

¼ cup low-sodium soy sauce 1/3 cup olive oil ½ cup Vermouth ¼ cup light corn syrup 2 ½ tablespoons sesame seeds 1 tablespoon garlic paste 2 tablespoons lemon juice ¼ teaspoon ground ginger 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cubed 1 small pineapple, cut into 1-inch cubes 1 red pepper, cut into ½-inch squares 1 yellow pepper, cut into ½-inch squares ½ pound fresh mushroom caps 12 cherry tomatoes

Combine soy sauce, olive oil, Vermouth, corn syrup, sesame seeds, garlic paste, lemon juice, ginger and chicken in a resealable plastic bag. Marinate in the refrigerator overnight. Alternate chicken with pineapple and vegetables on skewers, beginning and ending with pineapple or a vegetable. Prepare a very hot grill. Grill kabobs, basting with remaining marinade, until chick is cooked through. Serve with rice pilaf. Yield: 6-8 servings

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LIVING THE BRAND:

HOW TO BE A JLW AMBASSADOR Jennifer Hemingway

Deidra Johnson

Spring 2015

By Elizabeth Lubben

very woman in the JLW, from New Members to seasoned Sustainers, has the ability and responsibility to act as a brand ambassador â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we should all be empowered to tell the JLW story. The concept of being an ambassador can be intimidating however, so 3039M asked President Jennifer Hemingway and Communications

& PR Council Director Deidra Johnson to share their tips, tools and best practices for living the brand and becoming an exceptional League ambassador. 3039M: How would you define the JLW brand? How is the League perceived in the DC community? Jennifer Hemingway: We are an organization of volunteer women leaders who, for 102 years and count-

MEMBER EDUCATION

ing, have used our time and talent to build a better Washington, D.C. During my Leadership Greater Washington training, I proudly remember a classmate asking me about the League and hearing someone answer the question for me, “the Junior League is the premier volunteer organization for women leaders.” Deidra Johnson: Our brand is strong because of the tremendous impact The Junior League of Washington (JLW) has had on the greater D.C. area for the past 102 years. Our legacy of philanthropic giving and community building has not only developed the leadership potential of the women who make up our organization, but also addressed countless societal needs.

BE PROUD OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND YOUR VOLUNTEER WORK, AND REMEMBER NOT ONLY WHY YOU JOINED, BUT ALSO WHY YOU REMAIN A MEMBER TODAY. 3039M: What characteristics does a successful brand ambassador for the JLW possess? How are these characteristics reflective of the League’s brand? JH: A women who proudly communicates her League story. I am honored to be a member of an organization that values each member and her contribution to our mission. DJ: Every woman in the League is a brand ambassador. When she is volunteering at the National Book Festival Pavilion of States; donating toiletry items for Horton’s Kids; attending a “Getting on Board” training; or just living her everyday life, she is an ambassador for the League. You never know when someone will ask you about being a member of The JLW; it recently happened to me in the cafeteria at work. Our brand is upheld and further bolstered because we have an extremely diverse membership base. The JLW is made of women from all over the world with a wealth of life experiences who are helping to reflect the community we serve and remain a vibrant, growing organization. 3039M: A big part of living the brand is refining your “pitch”— effectively communicating an idea in a short, 2-3 minute conversation. What is your pitch when speaking to someone unfamiliar with the JLW? JH: One of the oldest and largest Junior Leagues, JLW is a volunteer-run organization of 2,400 phenomenal women leaders. For 102 years and counting, we have used our time, talents, and treasure to build a better Washington.

DJ: My pitch is based on the mission statement. I usually tell people why I joined and transferred my membership when I relocated, and why, after more than a decade, I’m still an active member. 3039M: For someone aspiring to be a stronger JLW brand ambassador, what resources can she consult to become more familiar with this multifaceted, complex League and refine her own elevator pitch? JH: The JLW mission statement. More than 150,000 women are committed to the League mission through their membership, addressing the most pressing needs in the communities they serve. DJ: We have a number of great resources. I’d recommend reading our blog, LeagueLines, and 3039M, visiting our website, following the JLW on social media, and checking out our annual report (p. TK). And get active! Volunteer for a different placement, attend our special events and get to know other members. Personally, I have found tremendous value in hearing the experiences of other JLW women. 3039M: Can you provide an example where you or another member truly lived the JLW brand? JH: My placement this year has given me the chance to interact with so many League members who have taken ownership of their volunteer jobs with enthusiasm. In the last month alone, our women leaders have crafted an emergency response plan to protect the League and its members, persuaded the National Park Service to make the Bright Beginnings 5K course a priority for snow removal so the runners could take their marks, educated our youngest neighbors on the importance of a healthy lifestyle, welcomed our first JLW legacy, committed to 16 hours of formal training to further develop their non-profit management skills and worked tirelessly to offer creative opportunities for donors to fund our mission. DJ: There are countless examples from this year I could cite: leading a team of amazing women who promote the League daily as part of the Communications and PR Council, serving on the board of directors, buying goodies at a recent JLW Shops!, helping to sponsor a family during the Christmas season, recruiting two new members to the League and encouraging dozens of women to take on leadership roles… the list goes on and on. 3039M: Last one! To all those out there living the brand: what would your top recommendation be for being a better JLW ambassador? JH: Be proud of your membership and your volunteer work, and remember not only why you joined, but also why you remain a member today. Connect with your fellow members, and do what you say you will do. DJ: Make a commitment each year to truly “renew” your membership. Take time to remind yourself why you volunteer and share that passion by encouraging someone else to volunteer. •

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MEMBER EDUCATION

ALL ABOUT

JLW STRATEGIC PLANNING

By Stacie Andersen and Meredith Lowery

he Junior League of Washington Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) assists the Board of Directors and leadership in driving the organization along a path aligned with its mission and goals. A key responsibility of the SPC is to develop and manage the strategic planning process and associated assessments and evaluations. This includes the annual member survey, focus groups, as well as monitoring JLW’s progress against the Annual Plan – a roadmap established by the Board at the beginning of each league year to support the broader five-year Strategic Plan. The committee consists of, at a maximum, 10 members by way of the placement process. Those serving on the committee via the placement process must have previous experience in the Junior League – whether it is JLW or elsewhere. Additionally, the committee consists of other members who are presidential appointments. Liaisons from Finance Council, Nominating and traditionally the President-Elect, also sit on the committee. This year, 20 women serve on SPC in some capacity. The current Strategic Plan, established in 2012, will serve as the overarching roadmap for JLW leadership through 2017. There are three major focus areas: • Building Community Impact – The JLW is an active, vital community partner and is considered as invaluable to the community; • Building the JLW Brand – The JLW continues to invest in our brand by developing our story and leveraging our 100 years in the community; and • Building an Internal Sense of Community – The JLW has an invaluable resource in its volunteers and strengthened cohesiveness results in increased community awareness. The success of the SPC’s activities is very much driven by the support and participation of our membership in all its forms. The committee relies on New Members, Transfers, Actives, and Sustainers to help inform the Board of issues and trends that are vital to the continuing growth and success of the JLW. The membership helps by providing honest feedback and ideas by participating in the focus groups and the annual survey. The SPC is holding Sustainer Focus Groups to solicit feedback from our more experienced members.

Spring 2015

The SPC is very grateful to those who participated in last fall’s active member focus groups. Participants provided insightful feedback and great ideas for continued improvement. The committee also gathered invaluable information from the most recent survey. It is the SPC’s mission to coalesce information from all sources, compare it to previous years’ feedback, and provide honest analysis to the JLW Board to inform the decision-making process. It is an incredibly important function that makes our League stronger. •

MEMBER EDUCATION

AMPLIFY YOUR LEAGUE EXPERIENCE WITH

A SECONDARY PLACEMENT By Maggie Lyons and Tara Andersen

or the JLW woman hoping to deepen her engagement and learn about more about the ins and outs of our League, one great option is pursuing a secondary placement. A secondary placement provides interested members with an important opportunity to serve on a second JLW committee in addition to their primary committee placement. The secondary placement typically comes with a lower points requirement. Often, a JLW member will choose a secondary placement when she is interested in exploring another aspect of the League, when she hopes to diversify her experience or when she wants to dive back into the work of a committee she loves. For Laura Lieberman – whose primary placement is Historic Alexandria Docents (HAD) – doing a secondary placement on Targeted Grants and Volunteer Resources (TGVR) was an opportunity to contribute behind the scenes yet remain involved in the community through HAD.

A JLW MEMBER WILL CHOOSE A SECONDARY PLACEMENT WHEN SHE IS INTERESTED IN EXPLORING ANOTHER ASPECT OF THE LEAGUE “I decided to do a secondary placement because I wanted to have a multifaceted Junior League experience,” says Lieberman. “By being on both HAD and TGVR, I’m able to see both the direct interaction with the community and what all goes on behind the scenes in terms of supporting other charitable organizations in the DC area.” Ivy Williams Malone’s primary placement this year is the New Member Committee, but after having a great experience on the Archives Committee last year, she knew she wanted to continue with that work as well. In discussing her secondary placement experience, Malone says “Although I was seeking an opportunity to get to know more women in the League through New Member Advisors, I knew I wanted to continue to learn about our historical preservation practices through the Archives Committee.”

Membership Placement Resources Chair Melissa Pechulis explains that the process for setting up a secondary placement is very informal. If a member wants to join a committee for a secondary placement, Pechulis recommends that they contact the chair of that committee in the summer, after primary placements are announced. The Membership Placement Resources Committee is also a great resource for members who want to discuss their options. Ultimately, whether or not a committee will accept secondary placements is up to the chair and often depends on whether there is enough committee work to merit adding additional members. But Melissa explains that most chairs are really excited when members approach them about secondary placements. So should you do a secondary placement? “I definitely recommend it for people who have extra time,” said Lieberman. “So far I feel like it’s a great way to diversify my JLW experience, meet new people and get a better sense of all the different arenas within the League.” •

SAVE THE DATE:

NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

he 15th annual Library of Congress National Book Festival will take place Saturday, September 5, 2015, at the Washington Convention Center. The theme of this year’s festival is Thomas Jefferson’s quote, “I Cannot Live Without Books,” as this year marks the 200th anniversary of the Library’s acquisition of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library. Since 2003, the JLW has served as the Library’s main volunteer partner, providing more than 30,000 hours of trained volunteer support. Stay tuned for information on upcoming volunteer training sessions and shift sign-ups. •

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JLW 2013–2014 ANNUAL REPORT 2013–2014

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

ith more than a century of service under our belt, The Junior League of Washington (JLW) has helped to mobilize women for effective action by providing opportunities for each of them to live out the JLW mission: developing the potential of women, impacting the local community and promoting voluntarism. We have provided millions of volunteer hours and more than $5.7 million locally in support of our mission. As you read through this report, you will discover many of the great things we are doing to stay true to our mission and impact our community for the better. We hope you will join us in continuing our next century of service by either becoming a member, a community partner, a corporate sponsor or a friend and helping us keep our promise “to be a community of women changing our community.”

2013-2014 MEMBERS OF THE BOARD President Shiela Corley President-Elect Jennifer Hemingway Secretary Erinn Gray Treasurer Marie Hahn Vice Treasurer Brooke Horiuchi Communications & PR Kristen Soltis Anderson Youth & Family Community Placement Kim Tuomey Cultural Community Placements Nancy Margaret Adler

Adult Community Placements Stacey Hinton Tuneski Community Affairs Amber Huffman Membership Development Kelly Wilson-Pisciotta New Membership Amanda Walke Nominating Susan Marshall Strategic Planning Susan Michels Sustainers Erin Cromer Ways & Means Kimberly Linson

Sincerely, SHIELA CORLEY Junior League of Washington President 2013–2014

2013–2014 HIGHLIGHTS • The JLW won the 2014 ALJI Award for Fund Development for its Tossed & Found Sale, which has grown into an event that stretches the creativity and leadership skills of League volunteers, all while helping those in need in our community. • 3039M, the JLW’s new magazine was born, replacing the biannual Hotline newsletter. • 2013-2014 JLW President Shiela Corley established a “Mission Moment” campaign to help every member connect with our mission.

Spring 2015

• The League distributed 5,000 books through the RESOLUTION READ and RESOLUTION READ TO ME programs and helped open a Family Resource Center at Children’s National Medical Center Diabetes Care Complex so children can read books while receiving treatment. • Established a new training program “Second Cup of Coffee” for League Leaders. • Expanded the League’s “Kids in the Kitchen” program to include a special event at Children’s National Medical Center Diabetes Care Complex.

WOMEN IMPROVING THE WASHINGTON DC COMMUNITY SINCE 1912

THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF WASHINGTON’S SIGNATURE EVENTS AND FUNDRAISERS

MISSION STATEMENT

NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

The Junior League of Washington (JLW) 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.

For the 12th year, the Junior League of Washington supported the Library of Congress’s annual book festival by providing the majority of the festival’s volunteer force. Through the League’s nearly 3,700 hours of service in 2013 valued at $143,000, JLW members supported the 200,000+ attendees as they met and heard first hand from their favorite authors, had cherished books signed, took photos with mascots and story book characters and participated in a variety of learning activities.

OUR VISION The Junior League of Washington strives to be a vibrant presence in the lives of the women and children in the greater metropolitan area of the District of Columbia, serving as a resource throughout the community to effect positive change, seek common ground, and inspire hope.

OUR FOCUS The Junior League of Washington (JLW) is proud to focus our financial and volunteer resources on the complex issues of literacy in the greater metropolitan area of the District of Columbia. The JLW defines literacy as “an individual’s ability to read, write and speak English and to compute and problem-solve at levels of proficiency necessary to: function on the job and in society, achieve one’s goals, and develop one’s knowledge and potential.” (This definition is based on the definition from the National Literacy Act of 1991.)

HOLIDAY SHOPS The League’s oldest fundraiser features a wide variety of unique merchants for DC shoppers to find gifts that give. In 2013, more than 3,000 shoppers helped raise nearly $140,000 in the event’s 55th year in support of the League’s mission.

TOSSED AND FOUND Since its inception in 1993, Tossed and Found has raised more than $1.3 million. Each spring, the three-day sale draws shoppers with essential goods at a bargain price. League members donated 204 community cash cards allowing community partners and individuals in need to purchase nearly $8,200 of quality goods. In 2013, more than 3,000 shoppers helped the JLW raise more than $130,000.

OUR OUTREACH

KIDS IN THE KITCHEN

The Junior League of Washington (JLW) is an organization of women committed to honoring and celebrating diversity while focusing on shared values. The JLW strives to create an environment within the JLW in which any woman committed to improving her community, regardless of race, religion, or national origin, will feel welcome and be encouraged to join the JLW.

A national health and wellness initiative supported by Junior Leagues nationwide, these annual Spring events features designed to educate local children on eating smart and making positive, healthful lifestyle choices.

OUR MEMBERS At present, more than 2,400 women in the Washington, DC area are members of the JLW. The League organizes and trains these women for effective action and leadership in our community through orientations, seminars, and “hands-on” experience. Throughout our history, the JLW has provided millions of volunteer hours and more than $5.7 million to the community. Membership in the JLW today empowers all women to volunteer and help those in need through our selection of volunteer opportunities.

BRIGHT BEGINNINGS 5K The JLW organizes this annual 5K fundraiser to support Bright Beginnings, a center for homeless preschool children founded by the League in 1991. In 2013, a record 950 runners and walkers raised more than $55,000 for Bright Beginnings.

KITCHEN TOUR The League’s newest signature fundraiser, the Kitchen Tour, welcomes attendees into some of the finest homes and kitchens in the DC area, all while raising needed funds.

JLW SHOPS! Local, premier retail shops, offer special savings to JLW members and friends and donate a percentage of sales in support of the League’s mission. In 2013, the JLW partnered with more than four dozen merchants to raise thousands of dollars.

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JLW 2013–2014 ANNUAL REPORT

REVENUE AND SUPPORT Membership Dues, Fees and Fines - $428,536 Holiday Shops – $138,263 Tossed and Found – $121,160 Special Events – $28,657 Other Fundraisers/Events - $45,094 Rental Income – $71,392 Investment Income - $184,877 (includes $45,520 of net unrealized gains on investment) Other income - $245

Community Investment and Operating Expenses Community Partners - $482,718 (Expenses – program services minus grants) Grants - $84,389 Management and General - $61,785 Fundraising - $86,502 Total Investment and Expenses – $715,394 Increase in Net Assets - $305,576

Total Revenue and Support - $1,020,970

2013-2014 COMMUNITY GRANTS As an organization of active, involved, educated women, the Junior League of Washington strives to use its resources where we can have the largest impact. Accordingly, we have chosen to devote significant time and energy to combat a great challenge our community faces, illiteracy. Since 1999, the Junior League of Washington has focused its energies on literacy related programs. The ability to read, write, and communicate affects far more than a person’s knowledge of literary masterpieces. It changes their access to jobs, health care and transportation, and the way they raise their children. The JLW has adopted a broad approach to solving the literacy challenges our community faces by addressing the issue from many angles: adult, child, and cultural. The JLW is making a lasting impact on our community by focusing on three key areas to foster a passion for reading where it might otherwise not exist: the importance of reading out loud to children, placing age-appropriate books in the homes of children, and providing more books to schools and libraries, with an emphasis on District children most in need. We are honored to partner with more than 23 organizations throughout the DC area. 26DC American Cancer Society Bright Beginnings Calvary Women’s Services Capital Area Food Bank Carpenter’s Shelter Children’s Hospital Foundation Community Family Life Services Corcoran Gallery of Art

DC Public Library Foundation Higher Achievement Program Higher Achievement Program Hope House DC Horton’s Kids Horton’s Kids Horton’s Kids IONA Senior Services Jubilee JumpStart

Langley Residential Support Services Literacy Lab Little Lights Urban Ministries MedStar National Rehabilitation My Sister’s Place My Sister’s Place N Street Village

National Museum of Women in the Arts Pomona College Reading Connections SEED School of Washington University of CA Berkley Washington Jesuit

ANNUAL FUND DONORS Adler, Nancy Margaret Ahlberg, Nicole Airey, Lauren Ajdelsztajn, Brittany Alexander, Sarajane Anaya, Erica Andersen, Stacie

Spring 2015

Anderson, Kristen Anderson, Kristen Applegarth, Lora Arnold, Myralyn Bachner, Carrie Baker, Priscilla Balmer, Brittany Baranano, Susana

Baskette, Judith Bassett, Alexandria Baumbusch, Cherry Beatty, Patricia Beauge, Diana Benjamin, Elise Berg, Sarah Billig, Keri

Billingsley Harrell, Reagan Blackwelder, Laura Blair, Jane Block, Monica Bonavita, Laura Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.

Boteler, Page Boyd, Kara Boyl, Molly Brinker Kulis, Kirsten Britt, Meghan Bronnenkant, Sara

Brower-Thomas, Tina Brown, April Brown, Dyonicia Bryant, Sarah Bucher, Colleen Buckley, Lisa Buckley, Margaret

ANNUAL FUND DONORS (CONTINUED) Byrd, Catherine Cabral, Catalina Cannistra, Julie Carpenter, Joanne Carroll, Dorothy Cartwright, Carla Casher, Christy Caudill, Tracy Chambers, Melissa Chan, Leona Chapman, Kimberly Christakos, Constance Christopher, Virginia Clark, Amy Clark, Nancy Clark, Rose Cody, Susan Collins, Margaret Coloney, Barbara Comiskey, Sarah Corley, Shiela Cosby, Morgan Cotner, Mary Kelly Cotter, Kathryn Cromer, Erin Czerner, Ann Dale, Martha Davis, Jane DeLoach, Kelly Delp, Melissa Delp, Poontong Denning, Virginia Dent, Virginia Der Garry, Carol DeZee, Tiffany Donohoe, Abigail Dority, Brooke Doud Galli, Suzanne Doyle, Rachel Duff, Elizabeth Dungan, Susan Duvall, Kathryn Eddy, Liz Elliott, Lesley Ellis, Courtney Eskew, Noelle Expedia Express, American Farris, Alexis Feldman, Stacilyn

Fell, Patricia Fermoile, Julia 90 Flack, Tracy Forsten, Caren Foss, Heather Fowler, Eva Foy, Laura Fragale, Ann Gakhar, Ru Galvin, Elizabeth Gasho, Norby Gensler, Katherine Gilreath, Cameron Gladieux, Jennifer Gold, Lara Gonella, Ashton Gordon, Nicole Gottfried, Blair Graham, Dria Gray, Erinn Greer, Margaret Gremillion, Lillian Griggs, Amy Guirard, Ruth Gustafson, Shirley Hahn, Marie Hale, Helen Haley Ottenbreit, Alison Halpin, Sharon Hancock, Barbara Hanniford, Katherine Hanstad, Mary Harris, Emily Harris, Honey Harris-Wolking, Jessica Hayman, Laura Hazel, Anne Hemingway, Jennifer Henderson, Brooke Hernandez, Marta Hildreth, Anna Hodge, Jennifer Hogan, Brennan Hopkins, Kathleen Hougen, Susan Howell, Courtney Hughes, Roxane Humphries, Kimberly

Hurst, Dee Dee Inman, Sarah Jennings, Natalie Jezierski, Crystal Johnson, Deidra Johnson, Jessica Johnson, Katherine Johnson, Kathy Jones, Tracey Jordan, Sarah Juckett, Sarah Kanstoroom, Pamela Keaney, Elizabeth Kelly, Meredith Kenny, Helene Kettle, Kathryn Keys, Elizabeth Killeen, Sarah King, Michelle Kirby, Sophia Kittredge, Joan Klepper, Sophie Knott, Amber Kohler, Nancy Korengold, Kathryn Krieger, Heidi Krusius, Jennifer Krznaric, Lauren Ladwig, Stacy Lamie, Courtney Landry, Jill Lauten, Elizabeth Lawson-Zilai, Lauren Lebson, Diane Lee, Alicia Lee, Danielle Lee, Rita Leister, Meaghan Leiting, Stephanie Linthicum, Erika Lively, Mary A. Loba, Melanie Loovis, Katie Lowry, Carolyn Lussier, Lisa Lyons, Maggie Macy, Elizabeth Mak, Julia Malloy, Patricia Malone, DeAnn Mandel, Jessica

Marinos, Marisa Marks, Maria Marousek, Diana Marshall, Susan Masters, Anissa Mattern, Corinne Mazzeo, Elena McClendon, Shaniqua McCleskey, Caroline McCoy, Allison McDaniel, Miranda McGanity, Sara McIntye, Lisa McKillop, Suzanne McNamara, Meaghan Meadows, Carrie Vicenta Mellen, Jennifer Mertens Campbell, Amanda Mesmer, Courtney Meuwissen, Ana Michinock, Lindsay Mickits, Barbara Miller, Whitney Modica, Sarah Monahan, Laurie Monsour, Anna Moore, Tiffani Moore, Valerie Moran, Susan Moreland, Genevieve Morgan, Megan Morrill, Penny Morris, Tiffany Morrison, Janet Mueller, Jennifer Mundy, Alison Murphy, Kristin Murphy, Lee Narrigan, Elizabeth Nasif, Alexandra Neal, Melissa Neville, Somelea Nichols, Erin Nitta, Kendra Nolan, Julie Nordlinger, Lorraine O’Brien, Meghan

O’Connell, Sheri O’Keefe, Valerie O’Leary, Samantha O’Malley, Amy O’Neal, Felicia Onowho, Alycia Overton, Cynthia Patton, Laurie Pepper, Catherine Perla, Elizabeth Peter, Jania Petersen, Melissa Picard Soller, Aimee Pickens, Tyra Price, Kimberly Pruitt, Ashley Pugh, Anna Purcell, Francesca Quinn, Megan Quiroz, Eridani Rankin, Jessica Reed, Tyrenda Reever, Paula Reeves, Colleen Reichelt, Jennifer Reilly, Sabrina Richardson, Anne Riser, Anne Robinson, Lauren Rockenbach, Kristen Rockstroh, Carly Rogers Thorpe, Amanda Rosenberger, April Ross, Bethany Rourke, Danielle Roy, Emily Ruppe, Ann Russell, Katie Schieffer, Patricia Schulman, Mary Frazier Semans, Mary Lou Serrant, Sandra Sexton, Anne Sharp, Rasheedah Shih, Maya Shuart, Amy Shull, Laura Smith, Deena Smith, Gayle Smith, Janine

Smith, Kendra Snare, Susan Somerville, Elisabeth Spadaccini, Julia Sporck, Kasey Steely, Allison Stevens, Deborah Streat, Coretta Summers, Mary Sutton, Adrienne Swabb, Sara Talbott, Ellen Talley, Amber Taylor White, Jessica Thompson, Eleanor Thomson, Carolyn Thornton-Davis, MD, TraShawn Tidwell, Aj Tierney, Heather Tillman, Kariba Toggweiler, Casey Traxel, Pamela Tummarello, Kate Tuneski, Stacey Tuomey, Kimberly Tutwiler, Lucy Tyler, Mary Beth Urquhart, Helen Vance, Sallie Vergara, Bridgett Verizon Foundation Walker, Stacey Wall, Suzanne Wallace, Joan Ward, Erin Washington, Christine Watson, Louisa Westfall, Bridget Wilkin, Tessa Williams, Grace Williams, Jerona Williams, Tycely Wise, Julia Wright, Diana Dryer Wroblewski, Chandra Yedwab, Blake Yolles, Judith Zieman, Linyer

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3039 M Street, NW Washington, DC 20007

DATES TO REMEMBER MAY 14, 2015 JLW Annual Reception

OCTOBER 8, 2015 Georgetown Shopping Event

MARCH 5, 2016 Tossed & Found Children’s Trunk Show

MAY 17, 2015 Sustainers Brunch

NOVEMBER 5–8, 2015 Holiday Shops

MARCH 18–20, 2016 Tossed & Found

SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 National Book Festival

DECEMBER 8, 2015 Macy’s Shopping Event

APRIL 7, 2016 Bloomingdales Fashion Show

OCTOBER 2015 Holiday Shops “Fall Into Fashion” Bloomingdales

FEBRUARY 2016 Ring in the New Year

APRIL 16, 2016 Kitchen Tour

MARCH 1, 2016 2016/2017 Membership Dues Deadline