3039M Fall 2017 Edition

the official magazine of the

3039M Junior League of Washington

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

Thriving in Service

FALL 2017 WHAT’S INSIDE

Pawsitively Speaking Impact 2022 Sustainers Emeriti

LETTERS

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LETTERS

elcome to the fall 2017 issue of 3039M and our 105th Anniversary year! We look pretty good for 105, don’t we? As we move into this milestone anniversary year, we have a lot of celebrating to do. Throughout this issue, you will see examples of the wonderful work of our League and many of the reasons that we have to celebrate this year.

This year, we will celebrate who we are as a League. We are a vibrant, sustainable, thriving, 105-year-old organization with a mission to develop the potential of women, to promote voluntarism, and to improve our community through the effective action and leadership of our trained volunteers. You’ll see our mission in action through stories highlighting a unique style of leadership, new opportunities for women to connect, and ways our development programs help members advance their personal and professional lives.

We will celebrate who we are as members. We number more than 2,300 volunteers who represent five different generations threaded together by a common belief in the same mission and the conviction that, together, we will fulfill it. You’ll see spotlights celebrating our longest-standing members, our furry companions, and our League through the years.

We will celebrate our presence in the community. We directly impact more than 20 different community organizations in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area through volunteer and financial support. In this issue, we highlight the work of our members to support our community partners, such as Bright Beginnings and A Wider Circle.

And we will celebrate the bright future in front of us. Our 20172018 League year kicked off with the launch of a new Strategic Plan, Impact 2022. We will challenge ourselves to continue evolving to meet the needs of all members where they are. We will continually examine the needs of the community and how we can best meet those needs. We will remain committed to developing the potential of women. What a powerful statement that is. We have a feature on Impact 2022 and where it is driving the work of our league this year.

I am so honored to serve as our president during this, our 105th anniversary. I look forward to celebrating alongside each of you this year.

Enjoy the issue!

AIMEE PICARD SOLLER President, 2017-2018, Junior League of Washington Our cover features photos from our 105th celebration at the National Museum of Women in the Arts taken by Jonathan Shimmons and Sadie Cornelius.

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hen the ladies of the Magazine Committee were asked to draft story pitches for the fall 2017 issue of 3039M, one theme was readily apparent: our story.

As we celebrate the Junior League of Washington’s (JLW) 105th Anniversary, we are honored to spotlight encouraging stories about our inspiring members and our magnificent history.

Aimee’s letter perfectly captures the importance of this milestone year and offers a taste of the articles you will find in this issue.

Through Brittany Higdon’s article, “JLW Through The Years: Three Firsthand Accounts,” you will get to know three Sustainers Emeriti. Their dedication to voluntarism and our community has only increased over time and we are grateful for the wisdom and stories they shared. Katelin Hatfield, Elizabeth Petrun Sayers, Jamela Black, Stephanie Gajda, Mary Beets, and Melissa Richards wrote fantastic articles about our current work with community partners, while Bonnie Louque, Sadie Cornelius, and Ashley Nelson’s articles take us back in time to view JLW throughout history. Erin Williams’ mustread interviews offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of hosting a JLW Kitchen Tour and Alex Sarp’s “Pawsitively Speaking” provides a rarely seen side of JLW: our members’ beloved pets.

Given the 105th anniversary focus on our members, I would also like to highlight a few very special ladies. Maryam Hatcher, our Vice Chair of Editing, spent countless hours poring over each draft, ensuring that each piece was ready for publication. As the Vice Chair of Photography and Design, Rebecca Prybell took on the arduous task of managing our photos, graphics, and captions, as well as editing the final magazine proofs. Sadie Cornelius, a professional photographer and graphic designer, stepped in wherever needed to create graphics, take photos at JLW events, and design advertisements.

Stacy Tsakeris, our committee’s Rising Chair, has managed this magazine process every step of the way and without her thoughtful, daily support, this magazine would not be possible. Our friends on the PR Council, Marta Hernandez and Tara Andersen, worked tirelessly to assist with editing, budgeting, and everything in-between. Last, but certainly not least, we owe a massive thank you to the many women throughout the League who answered our emails and phone calls for interviews and requests for photos and information. I am eternally grateful to work with such a wonderful team.

PHOENIX ARIANA VICTORIA RICKS Editor

IN THIS ISSUE

IN EVERY ISSUE

IN THIS ISSUE MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

IC Letters BC Dates to Remember

13 Advisor Love 14 Pawsitively Speaking

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FEATURES

2 Sister Mary Bourdon, RJM, MSW:

26 We Need More Women in the

House… and the Senate! How D&T Is Equipping Members

28 Servant Leadership: A New Way to Serve in the League

16 Celebrating 105 With a Focus on

Embodying the Spirit of Courageous Women

Members

29 A Summary of Results from the 2017 Annual Survey

ABOUT OUR LEAGUE

4 A Closer Look at A Wider Circle 6 CFLS Connections Nights:

Connecting Literacy and Life Skills

7 Online Registry Expands Horton Drive

8 Getting to Know Bright Beginnings 10 15 Moments in JLW’s 15 Years with the National Book Festival

20 21 22 23

30 Q&A: Introducing Impact 2022

New Technology Comes to JLW Holiday Shops Has History

SUSTAINERS

The [Market] Place to Be

31 JLW Through The Years:

Changes in Esprit Committee Add Function to Fun

SAVE THE DATE: KITCHEN TOUR

Three Firsthand Accounts

24 The Woman Behind the Painting

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

12 Meeting Miriam’s House

IMPACT 2022

33 Home to JLW’s 2018 Kitchen Tour 35 Hosting Kitchen Tour

25 Junior League Washington Receives

Award For Leadership Development

MAGAZINE COMMITTEE Phoenix Ricks Chair Stacy Tsakeris Rising Chair Jacqueline Bauer Mary Beets Jamela Black

Mary Castleman Sadie Cornelius Suzanne Doud Galli Stephanie Gajda Maryam Hatcher Katelin Hatfield Brittany Higdon

Bonnie Louque Ashley Nelsen Elizabeth Petrun Sayers Rebecca Prybell Melissa Richards Holly Roberts

Alex Sarp Elizabeth Shipp Erin Williams Mini Placement Sarah Valerio Kelsi Oliver Janay Eyo

facebook.com/jlwdc @JLWDC jrleaguewdc

Junior League of Washington jlwdc.blogspot.com @JLWDC

Members are encouraged to tag the League’s accounts when posting photos from JLW events. As with all social media sharing, please use #JLWvol as the main hashtag.

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD President Aimee Picard Soller

Treasurer Frazier Schulman

President-Elect Tycely Williams

Vice Treasurer Molly Boyl Fromm

Secretary Courtney Mesmer

Communications & Public Relations Marta Hernandez

Youth & Family Community Placements Sarah Berg

Adult Community Placements Kate Tyrrell

Cultural Community Placements Jennifer Lackey

Community Affairs Lauren Wilk

Membership Development Anna Pugh

Strategic Planning Sara McGanity

New Membership Jessica Taylor White

Sustainers Carol Der Garry

Nominating Genevieve Moreland

Ways & Means Joy Shepard

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SISTER MARY BOURDON, RJM, MSW:

EMBODYING THE SPIRIT OF COURAGEOUS WOMEN

By Stephanie Gajda

“IN THE SPIRIT OF COURAGEOUS WOMEN”

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his is the mantra that students at the Washington School for Girls (WSG) recite every day. WSG is an all-girls middle school in DC’s Anacostia neighborhood with a mission to teach “faith, courage, and perseverance” to all students.

In 2015, the Junior League of Washington (JLW) began a partnership with WSG through a multi-year grant.

September 2017 marked WSG’s 20th anniversary as well as the retirement of the school’s founder and first head of school Sister Mary Bourdon, RJM, MSW. Sister Mary is an inspiration to women who seek to make a difference, but who do not always know where to begin.

Sister Mary started from humble beginnings, growing up in a large French-Irish Catholic family in the mill town of Woonsocket, RI. One of eight children, she grew up playing on neighborhood streets, flirting with boys, and striving to outshadow her six jockish brothers in school and athletics as a three-sport varsity athlete. She went off to college at American University to study sociology and psychology. As she prepared for a career, she felt a strong calling to dedicate her life to serving God and people, especially young women. She joined the order of The Religious of Jesus and Mary (RJM) and became a “plain clothes nun” to serve communities in Washington, DC, who needed help and direction.

After earning a Master’s degree at Loyola University Maryland in Counseling, Sister Mary worked at several posts in greater Washington, DC, as a high school educator and family therapist. Still, she found herself yearning to serve in different way, as she had a dream to address the needs of girls in DC’s Wards 7 and 8. Through her service, in some of the district’s economically depressed neighborhoods, she recognized the acute vulnerability. Middle school girls who could be pressured by gang members to leave their education behind and

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Sister Mary reads with students engage in riskier behaviors. She set out to develop a program that could insulate girls in at-risk Washington, DC, neighborhoods from negative external pressure by focusing on high school and college completion, and professional career development.

She began networking and creating partnerships to achieve this mission. In 1997, she gained the support of developer Chris Smith and his real estate firm William C. Smith Company, whose basement apartment housed Bourdon’s first after-school program. From there,

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the growth and demand was exponential until complete school programming became a reality for 7th and 8th graders, including a faculty of experienced teachers.

So began WSG, a tuition free school for girls. The school is based in the Catholic faith as Sister Mary believes in the importance of balancing a traditional education with religious values. Still, the school remains independently funded through outside philanthropy to avoid pressuring the girls or their families to practice Catholicism or attend Catholic services during school hours. Parents are involved in the school and must attend mandatory service hours where they can shadow their daughters in class, come to an evening seminar on teen pregnancy, or help teachers prepare materials.

These investments appear to be worth it, as the school finds itself sustainable after 20 years, serving grades 3-8 and witnessing high school and college graduation rates for their alumna that far exceed Washington, DC, public school expectations. WSG has become an educational model for young girls from lower-income backgrounds to focus on other ways to help the community and improve educational opportunities for families in the area.

The 2017–2018 school year marks a new beginning for WSG with a new scholarship fund offered to girls at the school in Sister Mary’s name, as well as the transitioning in of Beth Reaves as President.

WSG Board Chair Pamela Johnson believes Ms. Reaves is a perfect

fit, stating, “From the first interview, it was clear that she embodies the WSG motto ‘In the Spirit of Courageous Women’ through her steadfast dedication to serving students, families, and teachers and fostering personal and spiritual growth in all those who cross her path.” Ms. Reaves has a background in education, having served previously as Head of School at Friends School Mullica Hill, in various adjunct professor positions, and as part of the administrative team at Wilmington Montessori School. She also worked at Cigna, where she was the Director of Marketing and Strategy. She holds a MBA from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctorate of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix, and recently participated in the Klingenstein Fellowship Program for Heads of Schools at Columbia University. Ms. Reaves joins WSG at a pivotal time in the school’s history as it begins a full year-round academic calendar.

As JLW grows its partnership with WSG, members can all be inspired by Sister Mary, the school and hardworking faculty, and of course the interactions with the girls of WSG. Just as Sister Mary does, League members should continue to aspire to put in the extra effort, no matter how small, to help those around the Washington, DC, area by dreaming big, acting courageously, and trying to make a difference. •

TOGETHER, WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CHILD TRAFFFICKING. Visit our website to learn more, donate, and help us protect children!

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Founded in 2005, Innocents at Risk is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded to fight child exploitation and human trafficking. Our mission is to educate citizens about the grave issue of global and local human trafficking. We are dedicated to protecting children from all forms of abuse, and work to end child exploitation and child trafficking everywhere.

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A CLOSER LOOK AT A WIDER CIRCLE

By Jamela Black

A Wider Circle’s Founder and CEO Mark Bergel speaking to JLW Day of Service volunteers

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unior League of Washington’s (JLW) circle of volunteers recently got a little wider (pun intended). As JLW’s only placement in Maryland, JLW’s A Wider Circle Committee kicked off an exciting inaugural year in 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 looks to be no different.

Dr. Mark Bergel, a health professional and part-time faculty member at American University, was startled by the depth of poverty, inadequate access to health and wellness care, and general inequalities he witnessed in the Washington, DC, region. So in 2001, without seed money, Dr. Bergel started A Wider Circle (AWC) with a strong conviction that he, along with the help of others could do better for those living in poverty. Charged with the mission to help get children and adults out of poverty, today the AWC has served over 160,000 children and adults through its educational programs and the provision of urgently needed beds, dressers, cribs,

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clothing and more. What started in Dr. Bergel’s living room has now expanded into an owned, 38,000 square-foot center with a staff of over 50 members, 15 interns, and 15,000 volunteers each year and growing.

AWC provides a wide array of services and programming to those in need, including home goods to those in need (the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program), professional development and attire, wraparound support to address barriers to independence, and holiday gifts and food (Hope for the Holidays).

The members of JLW’s AWC Committee assist AWC’s efforts in a variety of ways. The Committee leads a ‘refresher’ workshop each quarter that focuses on various issues and aspects of job searching and job readiness. Refresher workshops and mock interviews are offered to participants who have completed a rigorous Boot Camp with AWC, and are intended to provide additional, issue-specific resources

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to job seekers. JLW volunteers also participate in AWC’s Neighbor-to-Neighbor program by volunteering one Saturday morning a month to assist with sorting and bundling books for children, which are then made available to families with children who pick up items from AWC. This activity directly supports JLW’s literacy-focused mission. Often, the books bundled and prepared for AWC’s families are the only books to which they have access and the only books in their homes.

The League also participates in Hope for the Holidays program by decorating “The North Pole” at AWC, which offers a space for parents to select holiday gifts of clothing, books, and toys for their children as well as assists with the gift drive for families.

In May 2017, AWC served as one host for JLW’s inaugural Day of Service, where more than 50 JLW volunteers helped sort and bundle children’s books as well as sort women’s professional clothing, to be donated to AWC families. In late April 2017, JLW’s AWC Committee served as the only volunteer group for AWC’s annual 5K fundraiser.

A WIDER CIRCLE HAS SERVED OVER 160,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGH ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM AND THE PROVISION OF URGENTLY NEEDED BEDS, DRESSERS, CRIBS, CLOTHING AND MORE. Looking ahead, JLW is incredibly optimistic about our budding partnership with A Wider Circle, as we firmly believe that together, we can significantly reduce poverty, illiteracy, and unequal access to resources in the DC region.

“I’m really excited for the Junior League to partner with A Wider Circle for a second year,” said Stephanie Hoehn, AWC Committee Chair. “Through the hard work of our volunteers – planning professional workshops, staging mock interviews for job seekers, and sorting children’s books and professional clothing – the JLW relationship with A Wider Circle is continuing to deepen.” •

2016-2017 Chair Heather Brown (right) speaking to volunteers

2016-2017 Junior League of Washington President Elizabeth Keys and Targeted Grants and Volunteer Resources Committee Chair Christina Prevalsky present A Wider Circle with a Targeted Grant for their Workforce Development Program at the JLW Annual Reception on May 11, 2017

JLW volunteer Sarah Modica bundles books at A Wider Circle

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CFLS CONNECTIONS NIGHTS:

CONNECTING LITERACY AND LIFE SKILLS

By Katie Hatfield

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iteracy is at the heart of the Junior League of Washington’s volunteer efforts. But what does literacy mean to you? Reading comprehension? Sure. The ability to read at the appropriate age level? You’re not wrong. But as both members of the League and the District of Columbia community will attest, JLW is more than just book drives and after-school tutoring programs. While those are both admirable efforts and causes we eagerly champion, what is the full meaning of “literacy” and what are the lesser known components of the definition?

Citing the Literacy Act of 1991, 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.”

JLW partners with the nonprofit Community Family Life Services (CFLS) to hit all of these points. Since 1969, CFLS, Inc., located at 305 E Street NW, has held a two-fold primary objective to “provide short-term crisis and emergency assistance,” as well as help individuals and families improve their lives positively by providing them with the tools necessary to rise above poverty and homelessness.

Beginning as a book club approximately a decade ago, JLW’s CFLS Committee has morphed over the years into its current iteration. Targeting the women – many of them single mothers – and the children living in the CFLS-sponsored Trinity Arms apartment building, the committee provides necessary personal development to help them thrive and pull themselves up from previous life circumstances. The committee gathers donations for Thanksgiving meals and purchasing holiday gifts, but the real spotlight service the committee provides are its Connections Nights.

Two Thursdays a month, from September until May, the CFLS Committee hosts life skills programming for the adults. Topics typically include but are not limited to: self-esteem, decision making, healthy versus unhealthy personal relationships, responding to trauma, reading with children, goal setting, African American history, financial education and budgeting, computer competency, and yoga/ mindfulness. In addition to this valuable education, there are also themed activities for the children including storytelling and reading

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aloud, festive arts and crafts, African American history, and positive affirmations, among others.

“Connections Nights are an opportunity to meet participants where they are, be responsive to their needs, and supplement the skills they have in a safe space. By understanding the needs of the participants early in the planning process, we’re able to tailor our connections events to prepare women for success, either through reflective journaling activities, vision boards to inspire future activities, resume and job interview preparations, etc,” said Jessica Pavel, CFLS Committee member.

“LITERACY SKILLS ARE THE FOUNDATION UPON WHICH ONE BUILDS HIS OR HER CAPACITY TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE, GROW, CONNECT, AND ANALYZE THE WORLD AROUND THEM.” -JESSICA PAVEL Through offering these families support across such a diverse range of topics, JLW helps broaden their life skill literacy and increase their opportunities for success in work, in the classroom, and at home.

“Literacy skills are the foundation upon which one builds his or her capacity to effectively communicate, grow, connect, and analyze the world around them. This is an essential skill that, if cultivated, can provide limitless opportunities for personal success,” said Pavel. •

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ONLINE REGISTRY EXPANDS HORTON DRIVE

By Brittany Higdon

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he best of both worlds” was how Horton’s Kids latest toiletry drive was described by Junior League of Washington (JLW) member and toiletry drive co-organizer Julia Richardson.

Why? Because technology, convenience, and charity came together seemingly perfectly using an Amazon registry. When Horton’s Kids, a JLW community partner founded by a Capitol Hill staffer, requested toiletries for people in need, JLW members and friends rose to the occasion, collecting a grand total of 1,811 items.

In a busy city like Washington D.C., people have long commutes, work even longer hours, and frequently volunteer or have side-jobs to afford the high cost of living. While the idea of in-kind donations, which are the donation of goods or services, rather than money, sounds appealing to many people, the logistics of buying and delivering goods is less-than-convenient for the many Washingtonians with hectic schedules.

For the Horton’s Kids drive, traditional collection boxes were set up at JLW Headquarters, in Navy Yard, and on Capitol Hill. However, the overwhelming majority of the donations came from the Amazon list that Richardson, along with co-organizer Stami Williams, set up. “People liked it because it was concrete. It’s similar to giving

Horton’s Kids participants outside of the Community Resource Center

Campers arriving at a summer camp sponsored by Horton’s Kids money, but people feel like they’re making more of an impact,” Richardson explained. The Amazon registry worked like a traditional gift registry by allowing JLW members and friends to choose items from a list, ranging from an $8 box of feminine products to a $50 box of soap bars. When the selection was made, the items were shipped directly to Horton’s Kids. This saved donors time because they did not have to buy and deliver the items themselves.

While in-kind donation drives are not a new thing for the JLW Horton’s Kids Committee, the most recent drive was a resounding success. “[The co-organizers] did a really great job and came up with things I never would have thought of,” said committee chair Corey Cooke.

Not only was the use of technology a creative way to gather items, but Williams, Richardson, and Cooke also incentivized members to come together to boost enthusiasm. The ladies organized a happy hour for committee members and friends, as well as designed a poster to distribute to increase donations. “[Donors] felt like they were making more of an impact,” said Richardson, and the numbers speak for themselves. While in-kind donation drives are an ongoing tradition, the use of online registries provide a new and convenient spin. •

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GETTING TO KNOW BRIGHT BEGINNINGS

By Mary Beets

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n April 28, 2018, the annual Bright Beginnings 5K will take place in East Potomac Park. When members of the Junior League of Washington (JLW) think of Bright Beginnings, it is generally the annual spring 5K race that comes to mind. While the race only lasts one morning, the spirit of voluntarism for those in need in our community lasts all year long at Bright Beginnings. I spoke with Michele Harttree and Ellen Locke of JLW’s Bright Beginnings Committee to get a better sense of the organization, JLW’s involvement, and what volunteers can expect this year.

FOCUS ON LITERACY Located on the first floor of the Perry School Community Service Center, the Bright Beginnings facility serves as a one-stop shop for the homeless and disadvantaged in the DC area. Around 150 children receive child care and preparation for kindergarten while their parents can take educational workshops to learn skills such as resume building and professional development. The primary focus for the children is literacy; through the dedication of teachers and JLW volunteers, the children develop a love for it. This can be greatly attributed to the generosity of JLW; according to Harttree, partnering with JLW’s Resolution Read, “We provide each child with three books: one from each literacy night [one in fall, one in spring] and one from the holiday party.”

With books to claim as their own, the children get more excited for reading.

“We can’t read enough to these kids,” Locke remarked. “They bring you book after book. And it’s great when they bring you books you recognize from prior literacy nights.”

It is this exuberance that fosters relationships between children and volunteers, which in turn facilitates the learning process.

experienced volunteer] in the classroom to help navigate activities.

We would never throw someone in cold without guidance.”

For those who do not interact with children on a regular basis, going into Bright Beginnings can be daunting, but Harttree’s advice to volunteers is comforting: “My biggest piece of advice is to jump in – you can’t get it wrong. It’s normal to have anxiety on the first day of school.”

Fortunately, in her experience, that feeling of anxiety very quickly yields to “warm and fuzzy feelings” from the kids, who are always excited to see volunteers.

Locke echoed similar sentiments. “I had a moment of thinking, ‘I can’t mess up that badly’” when she realized the staff is always there to help. “You just need to come with your enthusiasm.”

Attitude does seem to be half the battle, and a positive attitude comes naturally at Bright Beginnings. “I can come in with the worst day ever, walk in, and the kids completely brighten my day,” Locke said.

JLW VOLUNTEERS: READY AND WILLING Volunteers with Bright Beginnings, like all JLW volunteers, receive thorough training and ample opportunity for learning before they dive into their service. As Harttree noted, “We try to have [an

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JLW volunteers cheering on 5K participants

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While positivity may be contagious, Harttree says that it is equally important to approach volunteering at Bright Beginnings with openness. Working with homeless children and parents should foster sensitivity but should not change behavior. “The parents and kids we work with do not fit any preconceived notions of homelessness. Any parents you interact with are homeless second and parents first…It doesn’t change the love they have for their children,” she said.

WHAT CAN LEAGUE MEMBERS DO TO SUPPORT BRIGHT BEGINNINGS? Each December, the Bright Beginnings Committee plans and hosts a holiday party with performers, books, and, of course, a visit from Santa. In conjunction with this event, JLW members have the opportunity to sponsor a child and buy items from their wish lists. It is the generosity of League members that makes this event so special to the attendees. As Locke remarked, “It is so heartwarming to see the community come together.”

JLW members can also start fundraising teams for the spring 5K. Money raised at the race goes back into Bright Beginnings’ work for the community and fosters a healthy competitive spirit and voluntarism on the part of participants.

Bright Beginnings Committee poses together

PLANNING FOR THE SPRING 5K The planning behind the 5K is far more extensive than often expected. Locke noted, “Planning for 2018 started about one hour after the last runner crossed the line in the 2017 race.”

Various subcommittees work throughout the year to ensure the success of the event we know and love, including in-kind donations, corporate sponsors, food and water, and special events.

Coordination with the National Park Service is one of the biggest drivers for the long lead-time. The day following the 5K, the Bright Beginnings Committee puts in the park service application for the following year to reserve the spot. Waiting for a response from them can take as long as a couple months because they cannot give their approval until they know what other big events need space throughout the year. Spring is peak time for races, which explains the response lag time. Sometimes either date or location must change based on availability; this year, date was given priority over location, hence the switch to East Potomac Park.

Between reserving space, selecting a DJ, announcer, and coordinating deliveries for items such as water, organization is key. Consequently, work on Bright Beginnings subcommittees can start long before the League year really begins.

As Harttree explained, “You really need to have your subcommittees lined up so you can hit the ground running…With all the time commitments and planning involved, it’s like planning a wedding.”

It is thanks to the coordinated efforts of subcommittee members that we can experience a fun race day. According to Locke, “It’s really a testament to the strength of the committee members that the day of [the race] it all flows. All thanks to a year of prep.” •

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15 MOMENTS IN JLW’S 15 YEARS WITH THE NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL

By Maryam Hatcher

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or the past 15 years, the Junior League of Washington (JLW) has partnered with the Library of Congress to support the annual National Book Festival. Since that time, JLW members have spent more than 40,000 hours volunteering at this event and have made a lot of wonderful memories in the process. Below are our top 15 moments (in no particular order) of the past 15 years at the National Book Festival.

and their guests. As a sponsor of the National Book Festival, JLW is gifted a few invitations to this once-in-a-lifetime event.

4. FROM A WEEKEND FESTIVAL TO A SINGLE-DAY EXTRAVAGANZA Though originally a single-day event, from 2011 to 2013, the National Book Festival grew to a two-day festival. In 2014, the Library of Congress returned to a single-day model, packing 12-hours of book loving into a single day.

1. JLW MEETS NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL In 2003, two years after the National Book Festival’s inception, JLW began officially partnering with the Library of Congress by committing to providing volunteer time each year. Most JLW members volunteer at the National Book Festival during their new member year, and many return as volunteers in subsequent years. As one of the earliest partners in the annual festival, JLW is proud to be an integral part of the event’s history.

2. FROM 25,000 FESTIVAL GOERS TO 200,000+ In its first iteration back in 2001, the National Book Festival attracted approximately 25,000 attendees.

In recent years, that number has ballooned to over 200,000.

3. THERE’S A GALA, TOO Each year, in addition to the festival, the Librarian of Congress hosts a gala for all the amazing authors attending the festival

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JLW volunteers posing with Hidden Figures author, Margot Lee Shetterly, at the 2017 National Book Festival

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5. JLW’S GOT A BRAND NEW BAG In 2013, JLW rolled out its “I Love to Read” tote bags, which were provided to children participating in JLW’s Resolution Read events. JLW continues to hand out these very popular tote bags each year at the festival.

6. THE FESTIVAL EXTENDS FROM DAY TO NIGHT In 2014, the festival introduced nighttime activities, which included a slam poetry contest. That year’s festival was aptly themed “Stay Up With a Good Book.” JLW volunteers continue to staff the book-signing lines until 8 p.m.

12. NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL - THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT In 2015, the Library of Congress rolled out a free National Book Festival app for iOS and Android devices. This app has allowed users to navigate the festival’s venue as well as its vast schedule of events. It has also been an invaluable resource for JLW members as they answer all sorts of questions about the National Book Festival.

7. THE OUTDOOR FESTIVAL TAKES COVER AT THE CONVENTION CENTER In 2014, the National Book Festival moved to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center from the National Mall.

13. JLW VOLUNTEERS WALK THE WALK JLW volunteers often spend hours on their feet during the festival, but they are not usually standing still for long! In 2015, some of JLW’s festival volunteers entered a friendly competition to see who could take the most steps during the day of the event.

Most of the members walked over 20,000 steps, and the winner surpassed 26,000 steps – approximately 13 miles!

8. JLW IS FEATURED ON THE NATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL POSTER AND THE EVENT T-SHIRTS Each year, the National Book Festival poster features a beautiful illustration related to the year’s theme. In 2015, JLW was recognized on the poster for the first time in festival history.

In 2016, JLW had its logo added to the event staff T-shirts worn by volunteers in recognition of dedication to the National Book Festival.

14. CHILDREN’S AUTHORS ARE ALWAYS A BIG HIT While hugely popular authors participate in the National Book Festival each year, JLW is continually surprised by the love and devotion of children and teens for their favorite authors. Authors such as John Green, Suzanne Collins, Judy Blume, R.L. Stine, Dav Pilkney, Katherine Paterson, and Tomie dePaola draw some of the largest crowds to the book-signing lines managed each year

by JLW.

9. AN OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG WRITERS TO SHINE In 2012, the “A Book That Shaped Me” contest was launched. It allows rising fifth and sixth grade students to write essays about how a book has personally impacted them. The winners read their essays at the National Book Festival.

15. 2.5 MILLION MOMENTS AND COUNTING In its 15 years volunteering at the National Book Festival, JLW members have spent approximately 2.5 million minutes (worth over $1.2 million) serving the community by volunteering at the festival. The 2017-2018 Literacy Events Planning Chair Carolyn Wilson noted: “Every year I am amazed at the number of JLW volunteers excited to be at the festival. I will never get tired of hearing all the awesome stories and experiences of the volunteers.” As 2018 approaches, we can all eagerly anticipate many more moments to come. •

10. THE FESTIVAL TAKES A ROMANTIC TURN In 2012, JLW volunteers played witness as a couple – Mike and Rebecca–became engaged in a book-signing line. While waiting for the author to arrive, Mike gave Rebecca one of the author’s books and asked her to open it. When she did, she found that the middle of the book had been hollowed out to fit a ring box with Rebecca’s engagement ring inside! The graphic novel artist, Craig Thompson, wished the happy couple well by drawing an illustration of the couple on their special engagement book/ring box.

11. THE #NATBOOKFEST TWITTER PARTY For the past three years, the Library of Congress has hosted a Twitter Pre-Party for the National Book Festival, which allowed festival authors and eager attendees to share their thoughts on books and discuss their anticipation for the festival. JLW participates each year as a way to share League eagerness for the upcoming festival day. #Amazing!

JLW Volunteers in JL formation at the 2016 National Book Festival.

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COMMUNITY IMPACT

MEETING MIRIAM’S HOUSE

By Holly Roberts

T

his year, the N Street Village Committee of the Junior League of Washington (JLW) will be trying something new while the N Street Village location undergoes renovations; they will head to Miriam’s House.

Miriam’s House seeks to provide a community, both physically and emotionally, to women living with HIV and/or AIDS. Approximately 25 women live in Miriam’s House, each with unique personalities and stories. Some of the women live separately from their families, on little to no income, often without additional health considerations. The League has long been a part of the N Street Village family, but until now JLW women have not had the opportunity to meet the women where they live.

“I’m really excited that the Junior League was open to switching gears,” said Heidi Gauthier, Associate Director of Corporate Partnerships and Volunteerism at N Street Village. “When you get used to doing something, you find your groove, and some organizations are then not flexible or open to changing that. It was really nice to hear ‘okay, we’ll try it!’”

Kate Weinograd, N Street Village Committee Chair, is also excited about the opportunity. “We want to build a better relationship with these women,” Weinograd said. “We want to sit down with them and be a part of their community.”

Indeed, JLW will serve Sunday night dinners to the women at Miriam’s House with

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just that goal in mind – to be a part of their support system. Furthermore, JLW women will also get to participate in celebrating life events with the women of N Street Village, such as anniversaries, birthdays, job interviews, and achieving personal goals.

“We come in on Sundays and have two goals,” Weinograd said. “One is to provide a healthy, flavorful, and interesting meal that people will enjoy. The other is to provide an activity that helps foster a sense of community.”

To aid in this mission, the committee chooses a theme and activity for each dinner. Past favorites included a baked potato bar, a Super Bowl tailgate theme, and a holiday dinner. Additionally, the committee

hopes to amp up the activity portion by offering things like yoga or bingo following each meal.

When asked about the long-term vision for the arrangement, Gauthier shared that she hopes the Junior League will really like Miriam’s House because, as she explained, “it is its own place, has its own building, and its own specific set of needs.” She hopes the engagement continues after the year as fostering a sense of community is important for all N Street Village community partners.

“We really want to plug in volunteers at sites like Miriam’s House,” Gauthier said.

“It not only benefits the women, but it benefits the volunteers as well.” •

Miriam’s House resident Nataki, DC Department of Housing and Community Development Director Polly Donaldson, and N Street Village Chief Executive Officer Schroeder Stribling cut the ceremonial ribbon at the completion of Miriamís House renovations.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

ADVISOR LOVE

By Holly Roberts

N

ew Member advisors wear many hats in order to guide new Junior League of Washington members through the first year. Phenomenal New Member advisors also benefit the League by providing members with a new family and support system in Washington, DC. “My advisor, Summer Bravo, went above and beyond with our New Member group. On our first New Member meeting at her condo in Shaw in September 2014, she gave us all the cutest welcome gift bags with personalized notebooks with our names, candle, and Eos chapstick in them. She also made sure we were always the first to know about when registration opened up for popular programs like membership credit events and placements.

During a New Member event she hosted at JLW Headquarters in late spring, she mentioned she was moving. Since I loved her place so much from our first meeting, my husband and I saw her place that night and put an offer in the next day before it went on the market, and we’ve been happy first-time homeowners ever since and couldn’t have made that dream a reality without the JLW connection and my amazing advisor Summer Bravo!” – Sadie Cornelius “Catharine Montgomery was an outstanding advisor! As a Transfer this past spring, I arrived in DC just days before orientation. Catharine was welcoming, always available to answer any question, and planned an excellent variety of events to introduce us to DC and JLW. I’m thrilled to be working with her this year on the Transfers Committee to help others have the great experience I did!” – Brittany Smith Shimer “Allison Rafti’s passion about JLW was contagious to everyone in our New Member group. She always had high energy and a great attitude, even after a long, rainy work day. Allison was extremely helpful in taking us under her wing as we started to learn the ins and outs of JLW. She always knew where we stood with meeting our new member requirements and helped us map out how to meet them.

Allison was also very flexible with me since I became a new mom during my provisional year. This made me value JLW even more!” – Ali Newsome

“My advisors were Nesha Oates and Aurora Tice. They were very supportive and communicative. They even planned fun events like cupcake decorating and pumpkin carving. I always think fondly of my JLW New Member year, and it was because of Nesha and Aurora.

They fostered my love of the League, and I love sharing that with others.” – Sarah Cathryn Bryant •

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Dr. Doud Galli is an active member of JLW Washington DC 3 Washington Circle, NW Suite 401 Washington DC 20037 202-828-8383

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

PAWSITIVELY SPEAKING

By Alex Sarp

I

was on my morning walk to work as I saw a woman pushing a stroller in front of me. She stopped in front of a tree, leaned down, then picked up a hefty English bulldog and set him on the ground to relieve himself. I couldn’t help but laugh, expecting her to be comforting a baby instead of carting around a large dog. Later that week, I found myself in a similar situation, when I rushed home to close the blinds for my cat before the solar eclipse, after a co-worker had warned that pets may go blind when looking directly at the sun. While strollers and rearranging schedules may seem excessive for an animal, people will do just about anything for their pets these days.

In fact, it is estimated that one in five pets have their own social media accounts. Many Junior League of Washington (JLW) members are joining the trend of Social Petworking.

“She is proud to have way more Instagram followers than her mom,” JLW Communications & PR Council Director Marta Hernandez said of Gracie, her four-year-old Shih Tzu poodle (you can follow her, too: @therealgraciebelle).

Gracie, Marta Hernandez’s Melissa Miller’s Pitbull mix, Shih-Tzu poodle. Gracie’s favorJ.R., and Romina Kazandjian’s ite hobbies include playing fetch British Shorthair, Marx, can and eating human food. be found searching the Instagram hashtags #jrbunny and #marxthecat. “I often joke that Marx is my favorite person,” Kazandjian said.

According to San Diego State University psychology professor Jean Twenge, people are increasingly viewing pets as a replacement for children.

“They’re less expensive. You can get one even if you’re not J.R., Melissa Miller’s Pit Bull mix. ready to live with someone or get married, and they can He keeps his parents busy with still provide companionship,” weekly hikes and swims Twenge said. in Rock Creek Park.

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Even if they aren’t surrogate children, fur babies are capturing hearts everywhere and are increasingly becoming just like any other family member with needs to be met. From filtered water bowls to Halloween costumes, pets are, part of the family.

For Sarah Yacoub, the word “momma” has a parSteve, Sarah Yacoub’s rescue Pit Bull ticularly special meaning mix. Steve discovered neglected neighafter her rescue pit mix borhood dog Momma and was the Steve sounded the alarm catalyst for Momma’s Law being on a neglected dog named implemented in DC. Momma in the Petworth neighborhood. Momma had been left outside in freezing temperatures, hungry and shivering. After Yacoub and her neighbors had seen enough of the abuse, they reported it to the Washington, DC, City Council which crafted emergency legislation addressing the issue of animal cruelty. From this, “Momma’s Law” was born; the law would prohibit animals from being left in the cold without blankets or some mechanism for warmth, as well as being left in the heat with no way to cool off.

“We want to make sure that we continue to make life better for dogs like [Momma] in this district,” Yacoub told ABC7 News in an interview. The legislation was passed by the DC City Council on Tuesday, October 3 and will be signed into law by Mayor Muriel Bowser.

As many of us are attached to our furry friends (and non-furry ones, as Jeni Pastier has reminded me, with her pet turtle, Knemo), perhaps your committee can consider a pet-friendly meeting or social. • Knemo, Jeni Pastier’s turtle and faithful sidekick since September 1998.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Kevin, Ashley Corcoran’s rescue cat. Scratch between his ears and he will fall asleep in your lap!

Boston Bailey, Holly Roberts’ nine-year-old fur baby. Boston is sassy, fearless, and a quintessential lap dog.

Baloo, Taylor Jackson’s five-year-old Bernese mountain dog. You’ll never find him without a smile on his face.

Neve, Brittany SmithShimer’s Siberian Husky. Neve’s favorite activities include neighborhood watch from the window and exploring Capitol Hill.

Penelope Brie, aka Penny, Natalie Hales’ French Bulldog. Penny enjoys short walks in the park, long naps in the sun, and eating avocados.

Animal, Alex Sarp’s Exotic Shorthair cat.

Follow him on Instagram: @catnamedanimal.

Lincoln, aka Linky, Erika Mendoza’s Maltipoo. Since the day he came home, Erika has only spoken Spanish to him.

Marx, Romina Kazandjian’s British Shorthair cat.

Marx is very helpful with grading students’ papers.

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FALL FEATURE

CELEBRATING 105 WITH A FOCUS ON MEMBERS

By Jacqueline Bauer

T

he Junior League of Washington (JLW) is marking our 105th year by celebrating the steadfast service of our members. With more than 2,300 new, active, and sustainer members, our League is one of the largest in The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI), giving us the opportunity to take on a multitude of projects and causes.

“The sheer breadth of talent within our organization’s membership is impressive beyond belief,” says 105th Celebration Committee Chair Sarah Hudson. “It is always exciting to see how the JLW committees are able to grow and evolve to fit the needs of our community each year.”

Our membership as a whole has a strong spirit of voluntarism, craving opportunities to be involved in the community. This has helped us build a reputation within the DC area of having a smart, skillful, diverse, and fun collection of women who are dedicated to service. Hudson points to our relationship with the Washington School for Girls (WSG) as just one recent example of why we should be proud: “In particular, the success of our partnership with the Washington School for Girls has been a different and exciting way to partner with schools in the community and hone in on our literacy focus. The consistency that we have been able to build with the children who attend that school to the point that they ask for certain JLW volunteers to return to work with them is such a special honor. To that point, many of the shifts for volunteering at WSG filled so quickly that there was an online race to sign up for new shifts as they opened. As a result, WSG came to JLW with a request to expand the partnership to include additional volunteer opportunities and to make it a permanent placement with a dedicated JLW committee.”

Dedicating time and resources to JLW through our committee placements is what allows our League to build these impactful relationships within the community.

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“We want our members who spend countless hours planning, organizing, and volunteering to understand that they are both needed and appreciated,” says Hudson. “That is why we will mark our 105th by celebrating achievements through a social media campaign highlighting members committing 105 Acts of Service through their JLW committee placements.”

Here is how you can be involved: Use social media to capture a photo of your JLW friends and committee members volunteering. In your post or through your pictures, be sure to tell us a story of how the person featured is making a positive impact on our League or community.

Simply add the hashtag #JLWacts105. This will alert our communications team and the 105th Celebration Committee that a post has been made. Submissions can also be sent to ActsOfService@jlw.org if a member doesn’t want to post the content on her personal pages.

The JLW official Instagram handle @3039M will post and re-post 105 submissions throughout the League year highlighting how we are giving back to the community.

FYI: There is no limit to how many posts a person can make. Organizers hope to see many hundreds, as every post is an opportunity to highlight members of the League who are making an impact.

In addition to the social media campaign, JLW also hosted a anniversary celebration on October 27. This event took place at the location of one of our cherished community partners, the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA). The celebration was both a reflection of the dynamic and expanding partnership between NMWA and the League and a symbol of an appreciation for and commitment to the dozens of JLW women who volunteer every week to help tell the stories of the women who have made significant contributions to the arts.

105 years later, members of our 105th Celebration Committee think JLW founders would be very proud of all that we have to celebrate. •

FALL FEATURE

Photos from our 105th celebration at the National Museum of Women in the Arts taken by Jonathan Shimmons

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ABOUT OUR LEAGUE

105 Years of Philanthropy: SERVICE NEVER GOES OUT OF STYLE

First Coll progra South K

By Sadie Cornelius & Bonnie Louque

Although trends have come and gone in the past 105 years, one common thread of the Junior League of Washington remains: improving the Washington, DC, community. Whether it be a fashion show gala, showing off secondhand garments for Tossed and Found, or shopping for a cause at Fall Into Fashion, the ladies of the JLW have always found a way to weave together fashion and philanthropy.

In honor of the League’s 105th anniversary, here’s a look back at some fashionable milestones in the League’s history along with some notable cultural events over the years.

Miss Elizabeth Noyes founds the Washington Chapter of the Junior League with a group of friends from her sewing circle. This initial group was active in supporting the welfare of children, as well as the homeless and the sick, across the District. Members held fundraisers and other social events that raised awareness, interest, and money to support their charitable investments across the region. During this year, the first two cherry trees are planted in the District by First Lady Helen Taft and Viscountess Iwa Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador, and women’s fashion grew from Edwardian-style dresses and upswept hair to more natural and free-flowing dresses and skirts.

1924 Valentine Cabaret Ball makes

$8,681

Ford replaced the Model T with the Model A; Lindbergh flies Spirit of St. Louis from NY to Paris in 33 hours.

JLW Circus makes

$7,000

The Junior League Regional Conference takes place in DC, Penicillin is discovered & first air-conditioned building is built.

1912 with 13 members, the

Junior League of Washington was founded New Home: $2,750 New Car: $941 Milk: $.08/quart Bread: $.05/loaf Eggs: $.30/dozen

1

Cabaret Ball at Willard nets

$6,315

Self-winding watch, Wheaties, and Kleenex first sold.

1927 1928

1 1927 Costume Ball

JLW

JLW

1928 Valentines Ball

1934

B Street SW is renamed Independence Avenue, the Great Dustbowl sweeps across the United States and erodes western farmland, and Hitler declares himself leader of Germany.

JLW Fashion Through The Years.indd 2-3

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1934 Wear Something New Ball Committee

Wear Something New Ball at Mayflower with Eleanor Roosevelt in attendance. JLW Club House moves to 2001 Massachusetts Avenue.

Cente

:

ABOUT OUR LEAGUE

Thrift Shop, Outgrown, and Carnival support the Welfare Fund of

$20,000

First JLW “Christmas Shop” takes place in 1958 (later renamed “A Capital Collection of Holiday Shops”). JLW writes, produces, and airs its own TV program with educational programming for children. North Korea invades South Korea, which begins the Korean War and China occupies Tibet, while Tibet’s Dalai Lama flees the invasion.

1963

ague w o py. the

Loughborough House opens on M Street with an reception and becomes new home to Junior League’s Shop on first floor. President John F. Kennedy is assassinated, and Martin Luther King, Jr. delivers “I have a dream” speech.

1986

nded

Christmas Shops Gala Anniversary Ball nets

$40,000 1984 Christmas Shop

5

er

use

1950s Fashion from Outgrown Shop

JLW celebrates its 75th year at the Mayflower Hotel

Funds raised to date total $2.6 million.

In 1987, JLW refined its focus areas to youth at risk and women in crisis. which ultimately led to the founding of Bright Beginnings. Apple releases its first personal computer, the Macintosh.

.

all

1950s

1991 150 tickets sold to 2

sold-out fashion shows

1987 Fashion Show Fundraiser

1992 1st time Rummage Sale brought in $15,000 The Church of England approves the ordination of female priests.

1999

JLW gains new focus on literacy for volunteer efforts Nelson Mandela becomes the first black president of South Africa.

2003 JLW begins partnership with National Book Festival

2012 Centennial Year, JLW distributes 100,000 books

at Nordstrom to benefit building renovation & Bright Beginnings, Inc. first opened its doors. The Gulf War ends & the Soviet Union formally dissolves.

1994

Newly named “Tossed and Found” makes

$32,000

JLW conducted more renovations to HQ including structural strengthening and improved electrical and HVAC systems.

2005 Tossed & Found raises

$100,000 in one year 2017 Celebrates 105 years with an Instagram campaign #JLWacts105

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ABOUT OUR LEAGUE

NEW TECHNOLOGY COMES TO JLW

By Rebecca Prybell and Ashley Nelsen

T

echnology is changing the way the Junior League of Washington (JLW) does business. From new applications to enhance the attendee event experience to new collaboration tools allowing League members to work more efficiently and effectively, the League is integrating technology across many councils and committees. While some of these new technology tools are specific to one League event, other tools are slowly being integrated League-wide.

The Membership Development Council and the Leadership Institute are at the heart of the development, testing, and distribution of several new collaboration tools. “The Leadership Institute and the Membership Development Council are always looking for ways to better engage members and leaders,” said Kimberly Price, Assistant Council Director of the Membership Development Council. “We want to provide leaders and members with tools and technologies that make it easier to have successful and fulfilling League experiences.

We also want to help bring efficiencies to committees as leaders and members transition each year. By investing in industry standard and new technologies, we are looking to set the League up for growth and sustainability today and in the future,” Price added.

Over the last two years, the Membership Development Council piloted several new tools before the Leadership Institute took over as custodian in order to continue testing and development, and to ensure each of

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Fall 2017

Screenshot of the Kitchen Tour app home page

Screenshot Example of the Kitchen Tour app digital goodie bag

the tools works best for the League. Carly Mitchell, Chair of the Leadership Institute Committee, said that many ideas for new tools come directly from League members.

“After a need is identified, we look for tool options and compare what is out there to our requirements and available budget,” said Mitchell. “Generally, we then pilot the tool in a few different ways within our council before looking for ways to open it up to others.”

Other committees have developed their own technology to meet the specific needs of their respective committee. For example, Kitchen Tour, working with an app

company, developed its own app called JLW KT. The app is available for download in the iTunes App store and allows the Kitchen Tour Committee to enhance the experience of all Kitchen Tour attendees. Mary Margaret Hart, Co-Chair of the Kitchen Tour Committee, said that the app allows Kitchen Tour attendees to get a sneak peak of each home on the tour, gives them more information about the League, and has other special features like a “virtual goodie bag.”

On the flipside, the JLW KT app allows the Kitchen Tour Committee to send messages to attendees, remind attendees to post about Kitchen Tours on social media,

ABOUT OUR LEAGUE collect data on what is popular on the tour, and support vendors and sponsors by offering coupons and advertisements in the virtual goodie bag. Hart added that the Kitchen Tour Committee aims to continue expanding the content on the app and improve its functions every year.

For its silent auctions this year, the Holiday Shops Committee used an iOS and Android app called Handbid. This app provides the opportunity to bid on auction items from smartphones and computers.

The Handbid app instantly lets its users know when they have been outbid so they can enjoy their evening without needing to be near the auction table. After attending last year’s Tossed and Found’s Hoops & High Heels Preview Night Party, where the app was first used successfully, Suzie Sinno, Co-Vice Chair of the Auctions Subcommittee for Holiday Shops, was confident

“So if a leader can’t attend, they can pull up the training later and watch it.” Price also mentioned that the Leadership Institute is working with the Development and Training Committee to integrate this technology into more training opportunities.

Smartsheet is another application the Leadership Institute is testing for collaboration and work management. The platform assists with assigning tasks, tracking project progress, managing calendars, sharing documents, and managing other work.

“Smartsheet is a really powerful tool for helping us stay organized and can help with records retention and knowledge sharing year after year,” said Mitchell. “This year, the Leadership Institute has partnered with Strategic Planning to use it to track progress on our Annual Plan, and we are also using it to help with processes such as membership credit requests.”

“WE WANT TO PROVIDE LEADERS AND MEMBERS WITH TOOLS AND TECHNOLOGIES THAT MAKE IT EASIER TO HAVE SUCCESSFUL AND FULFILLING LEAGUE EXPERIENCES.” - KIMBERLY PRICE it would be a success with Holiday Shops.

“We [were] excited to use the app, which allow[ed] everyone to participate, even if they [were] unable to attend the silent auction at the Holiday Shops Grand Opening Party in person,” she said.

Some League committees are teaming up with the Leadership Institute to test new technology as well. “We’ve just started rolling out use of GoToMeeting for other committees. For example, the Literacy Events Planning Committee used it as a way to do a training refresher for the National Book Festival,” said Mitchell. “GoToMeeting also gives Leadership Institute the ability to record these trainings,” added Price.

HOLIDAY SHOPS HAS HISTORY

By Ashley Nelsen

The Junior League of Washington (JLW) held its first “Christmas Shop” in 1958 and raised approximately $5,000 for the Children’s Hospital Teen-Age Clinic (now DC’s Children’s National Medical Center). The Christmas Shop event, held at the Sheraton-Carlton Hotel (now the St. Regis Washington), was decorated in “antique gold and white” and featured a 10-foot, white Christmas tree with gold ornaments. The event was decorated by League member Mrs. Gray, who was a display decorator at Lord & Taylor in New York before she moved to Washington, DC. The patronesses included none other than First Ladies Mamie Eisenhower and Pat Nixon.

Thirty years later, Christmas Shop was renamed “A Capital Collection of Holiday Shops,” and then renamed “Holiday Shops Presented by the Junior League of Washington” in 2012. While the Holiday Shops name has evolved through the years, it continues to highlight the League’s tradition and commitment to raising funds for the Washington, DC, community. •

Some technology will have wider application across many League events. “Slido is a crowdsourcing technology that the League used last year to engage members at the General Member Meetings and Leadership Training,” said Price. “It allows members to ask questions as well as provide real time feedback on questions asked of the membership during meetings.”

Mitchell and Price agree that the goal of introducing new technologies to the League is to enhance the experience of League members, improve the efficiencies of the work done by the League, and make the year-to-year transfer of knowledge between members easier. •

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ABOUT OUR LEAGUE

THE [MARKET] PLACE TO BE

By Alex Sarp

I

t’s no secret that JLW members love to shop, and thanks to the Marketplace Committee, plenty of opportunities exist to snag some great merchandise and give back to the league, with a portion of sales going directly towards supporting our mission in Washington, DC There are a lot of good things in store for JLW members – literally! Ongoing Partnerships, a subcommittee of the Marketplace Committee chaired by Sara McAlpin, aims to have five partnerships secured by May 2018. Current benefits for League members include a gift with purchase at Lilly Pulitzer Georgetown and discounted tickets at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Keep in mind that some retailers may require you to show your member card to receive a JLW discount, which can be downloaded by visiting the Member Benefits tab once logged into the JLW website.

As part of the Ways and Means Council, Marketplace is another way to bring in funds for League initiatives while also securing some great perks for members. At the beginning of the year, businesses are selected based on goals from the League’s strategic plan. Formal communication templates are created, and the Marketplace Committee works with other committees that may also wish to connect with the proposed business partners. Internal communication is key in order to make sure leadership and involved parties are on the same page and partners can expect professionalism and a positive experience.

In September 2017, Marketplace partnered with Esprit to offer the unique “Sip and Screen” event, where members enjoyed discounts, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktails at Brooks Brothers Georgetown before heading to a nearby movie theatre for a screening of House of Z. “I thought the head stylist on hand and the Georgetown staff were absolute professionals. They understood my style and knew exactly what work environment attire means in DC,” attendee Desiree Carey, said. The event checked in at full capacity.

The Ongoing Partnerships Subcommittee, which was formed in 2015, is composed of five League members and is led by vice chair Melissa Miller. Be on the lookout for future partnership opportunities to take advantage of as a JLW member, including benefits at nearby workout studios and retailers. •

JLW members pose for the camera while shopping at Brooks Brothers Georgetown during a fall Marketplace and Esprit event

From left to right: New members Erin Nanovic, Amy Royle-Reznikov, and Kate Reynolds stop for a photo while mingling at Brooks Brothers Georgetown

WHERE TO FIND MEMBER BENEFITS: 1. Log into jlw.org 2. Use the menu to navigate to Resources and click on Member Benefits & Marketplace 3. View Benefits & Download your Member Card

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ABOUT OUR LEAGUE

CHANGES IN ESPRIT COMMITTEE ADD FUNCTION TO FUN

By Katie Hatfield

‘Esprit de corps’ is defined as the mutual feeling of enthusiasm, pride, and camaraderie held by members of a group or organization.

This undoubtedly captures the spirit of the Esprit Committee of the Junior League of Washington (JLW). Established as a committee on February 11, 1987, the original intent of Esprit was to host social events and networking opportunities to bring members together and foster new relationships.

Now in its 30th year, the Esprit Committee seeks to make some improvements. No longer just happy hours, Esprit has sought to appeal to the diversity of member tastes and preferences by expanding the variety of its offerings across five different categories including food/wine, exploring DC (i.e. museum tours or activities specific to Washington), trivia/game night, health/fitness, and creative club (i.e. calligraphy lessons, flower-arranging classes, etc).

Inspired by some of the changes made by former chair Alex Corby in the 2015-2016 year, which resulted in positive feedback from JLW Board members after the committee hosted a record-breaking 57 events, Jackie Frederick-Maturo, current Esprit Committee Chair, hopes to keep the committee’s momentum going with a whopping 70 unique events this year. Additionally, Frederick-Maturo has proposed a three-pronged approach to help reshape the committee.

“Don’t get me wrong, happy hour events are a lot of fun, but they aren’t the best at facilitating member connections. It’s intimidating to arrive at a happy hour and not know anyone, so members tend to avoid them unless they know of someone that is attending. We want JLW members to meet new people, not just connect with the same five friends over and over,” said Frederick-Maturo.

Ultimately, Frederick-Maturo foresees that these changes will not only make the Esprit Committee a vital member retention and recruitment tool, but will also allow JLW to cultivate relationships with local businesses within the community.

The first phase of Frederick-Maturo’s proposed changes includes cooperation with as many committees within the League as possible to better utilize Esprit for their own purposes.

“We hope that by increasing our work with other committees, that will increase our exposure to the membership, and help the other committees reach their goals for the year,” added Frederick-Maturo.

Illustrating this viewpoint was the Esprit Committee’s first event of the year: a Jazz in the Garden event on August 18 for New Members and Transfers co-hosted with both the New Member and

Esprit event at Paper Source Transfer Committees. The event was a grand success, attended by over 70 active, new, and transfer members.

The second phase aims to increase Esprit’s work with local businesses in order to foster long-term relationships between them and the League. By establishing relationships with these businesses, both the League and the proprietors stand to benefit. First, access to a 2,300-person membership of potential customers is very valuable for businesses. Secondly, the Ways and Means Council is able to rely on these relationships and highlight the number of new customers we bring to a business when reaching out with fundraising requests.

This approach is a more effective way to fundraise, Frederick-Maturo believes, as opposed to cold-calling.

The third phase is for the members of the Esprit Committee to become ambassadors of both the Esprit Committee and JLW. Through incentivizing committee members to attend as many events as possible, meet at least two new members at each event, and fine tune their JLW elevator pitch, the chair hopes for each committee member to help the League increase member engagement, member retention, and recruitment efforts.

While Esprit events may appear to be all about having fun on the outside, they do serve a greater overall purpose: forming connections.

Current members have the opportunity to form connections with people of similar interests across different committees they might not have otherwise met. At the same time, potential new members see both the connections JLW has to the community and the connections members have with each other. Who knew that something as simple as a ‘Shop and Share’ event could have such a ripple effect! •

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ABOUT OUR LEAGUE

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE PAINTING

By Erin Williams

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his artistic rendering of the Junior League of Washington’s (JLW) Loughborough House will soon be making its debut. The woman responsible for that beautiful piece is Christine Chapa. Chapa is a licensed artist and architect and owner of Landmark Renditions in Annapolis. Chapa relocated to the Washington, DC, area several years ago from her home state of Texas.

It is no coincidence that Chapa was the artist asked to do a rendering of the Loughborough House, as her love for public service is what brought her to the DC metropolitan area. Several years ago, Chapa decided to take a break from architecture and came to DC for a service project with a group of women. That trip challenged her in ways she did not think possible, and at the end of the project she had an epiphany: Chapa found her “real life” and her authentic self by helping others. At the end of that experience, her artistic side emerged.

“All I wanted to do was draw and paint,” she said.

At this point, she decided to make the DC her home and has never looked back.

Chapa’s first encounter with JLW was at Holiday Shops, where she was a vendor selling her art prints. Every year since, Chapa has donated artwork to support the JLW mission. When asked about the process of painting the Loughborough House, Chapa said that it took approximately one month

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Christine Chapa’s rendering of JLW Headquarters to complete. Her first step was to visit the house to take photographs and observe -- to get a feel for the energy surrounding it. Next, she made a few drawings of the building with the help of historical photographs provided by JLW, which helped her to complete her sketch of the house.

Once the final sketch was complete, Chapa painted it in watercolor. The final product is a beautiful watercolor painting that is now a JLW treasured gem.

For more information about Chapa and her work, please visit her website at www. landmarkrenditions.com. •

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

JUNIOR LEAGUE WASHINGTON RECEIVES AWARD FOR LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

By Elizabeth L. Petrun Sayers

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n May 2017, 2016-2017 Junior League of Washington President Elizabeth Keys, on behalf of the JLW, accepted the 2017 Leadership Development Award from The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. (AJLI) at its annual conference in Minneapolis, MN. For this award, AJLI reviews submissions and selects one League that has exemplary member training and development programs. The award also comes with a $10,000 grant that JLW will use to support leadership development and training programs for members.

It is not surprising that JLW members want to know how to lead.

In a Sheryl Sandberg “lean-in” world, Washington members are eager to do their part and brush up on their leadership skills. In order to meet this need, JLW has been busy developing programming to make sure members are ready to tackle both internal and external leadership opportunities and challenges. This work paid off in the spring when JLW won this prestigious award.

JLW was recognized for programs like Get On Board and Nuts and Bolts, which are part of the Leadership Institute, as well as for Rising to the Challenge, the Assistant Council Directors roundtable, and our Development & Training (D&T) curriculum.

Leadership training remains an important benefit for members.

In 2014-2015, 36 percent of members reported that leadership training is a top reason for their League membership. The next year, this number jumped to 46 percent. Leadership training continues to rank, along with opportunities to serve the community, as one of the top two reasons for continued JLW membership.

“This has been a big focus of the League, increasing training opportunities, and developing our women,” Courtney Mesmer, former Member Development Council Director, said.

Leadership training builds skills that members apply within the League, across the community, and in their professional and personal

lives. Women enrolling in leadership programs range from current to aspiring leaders, and of the 32 D&T sessions offered last year, “they [were] almost always sold out,” Mesmer said.

“Receiving the award this spring was a fantastic way to end a fantastic year,” Keys said.

With continually growing and improving training opportunities, JLW members stand to benefit from what’s to come. Watch the website, read League Lines, and keep up on social media to reserve a spot in a D&T session or apply for a Leadership Institute offering that is of interest to you.

“We are transforming training and development and making an impact,” Mesmer said. •

Pictured left to right: Tycely Williams, President-Elect; Elizabeth Keys, 2016–2017 President; Carol Scott, President of the Association of Junior Leagues International; Aimee Picard Soller, President

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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

WE NEED MORE WOMEN IN THE HOUSE… AND THE SENATE!

HOW D&T IS EQUIPPING MEMBERS

By Elizabeth L. Petrun Sayers

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Ashley Carter addresses the room during the D&T session

id you know that women only comprise about 20% of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate? Even though women make up half of the population, we are still underrepresented at all levels of government. Many women may choose not to run for office because they feel they are not qualified or don’t have the right tools.

Luckily, JLW’s Development and Training (D&T) session, “How to Run for Public Office,” offered Junior League of Washington (JLW) members the opportunity to learn more about the process and gain confidence and inspiration to run for public office.

Holly Roberts, a second-year active member originally from Atoka, OK, attended the session in fall 2016. With the impending election in November, she was interested in learning more about the process behind the politics. Roberts adds, “I also saw that Ashley

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Carter from the League was going to be attending the session, and I thought it would be informative to hear from someone who is running.”

Carter successfully ran for the D.C. State Board of Education last fall. “Running for office is a unique experience. I was proud to share what I learned on the campaign trail to help develop the leadership potential of our members,” says Carter. “We need more women to run for office and I’m glad to help pave the way for more JLW members to become strong community and civic leaders in DC and around the country.”

The session also featured guest speaker Clare Bresnahan, the Executive Director of the She Should Run organization. Bresnahan framed her discussion around three major points: (1) encouraging women to run for public service, (2) eliminating barriers, and (3) education, campaign execution, and resources for the journey.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

“I learned that you don’t have to be an expert in everything,” Roberts said. “You can have a few topics you’re passionate about and then you can surround yourself with others who are competent in issues you don’t know as well… A lot of times women think they can’t run for office because they don’t know everything, but you just need to collaborate!”

Each year, D&T offers around 30 sessions that typically reach capacity due to their popularity with members. In fact, leadership training along with opportunities to volunteer in the community are the most popular reasons listed for continued membership in JLW. When asked what Roberts plans to do next with her new perspec-

“ I’M GLAD TO HELP PAVE THE WAY FOR MORE JLW MEMBERS TO BECOME STRONG COMMUNITY AND CIVIC LEADERS IN DC AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.” - ASHLEY CARTER tive on running office, she says, “I am open to opportunities. I don’t know what the future holds! I might be interested in running for something local, like a mayor.”

“I have a lot on my mind, but I would like to work on issues I really care about like promoting equality, education, and finding ways to help smaller towns flourish,” Roberts said.

Perhaps one of Bresnahan’s engaging activities, such as creating a list of experts you could ask for advice and brainstorming who you could ask for financial support, will motivate Roberts and others to run for office in an upcoming election.

In addition to sessions like “How to Run for Public Office,” recent D&T sessions have covered how to run a business, volunteering with underserved populations, conflict resolution, developing your personal brand, and navigating negotiations.

Members have a growing number of member development opportunities to choose from – you just have to sign up before they fill up! Check out JLW’s website (www.jlw.org), League Lines, and JLW social media to reserve a spot in an upcoming D&T session. •

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LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

SERVANT LEADERSHIP:

A NEW WAY TO SERVE IN THE LEAGUE

By Rebecca Prybell

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he Junior League is a community of women who volunteer, serve, and lead in many different ways. This summer, the Leadership Institute hosted the Summer Session training for Junior League of Washington (JLW) leaders that focused on a new style of leadership: servant leadership, a mission-driven, member-focused way to lead.

Vicki Clark, the owner of Building the Capacity of Organizations, facilitated several trainings for League members focused on servant leadership. Clark has worked with Junior Leagues across the country on strategic planning, volunteer resource development, leadership, and communications skills. She sat down with 3039M to talk about how all League members can incorporate servant leadership into their service in the League.

“Servant leaders are focused on the development of other people,” said Clark. “They lead through their concern for others and desire to help others.”

Clark described servant leadership as a philosophy that works for all aspects of life, from the workplace, to home life, and to membership based organizations, like the Junior League.

Servant leadership emphasizes 12 principles: listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, growth, community building, calling, and joy. Each of these principles explain a different aspect of the concept of servant leadership.

“Each of the 12 principles work anywhere,” explained Clark. “The first is listening, and that concept works anywhere. Stay-at-home moms, for example, must practice listening to their children. It also applies in a workplace; we must listen to colleagues and have empathy for what they say.”

Clark described servant leadership as a concept that works well for all members of the Junior League. She said that League members do not have be in traditional leadership positions or trying to transform an entire organization to be successful servant leaders. “New Members can be servant leaders to other New Members by encouraging people, lifting other[s] up, helping people if they miss something,” said Clark.

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The League strives to develop and train members to be effective leaders and volunteers in the community. The goals of servant leadership are in line with these goals as they encourage listening, respect, and focusing on others.

Clark encourages New Members who are interested in becoming a servant leader to take the time to read up on the concepts and make a commitment to incorporating them into daily life. Individuals and companies who have embraced these concepts have seen real results.

“It is harder to do servant leadership than traditional leadership, but it is worth it,” said Clark. “Servant leadership leads to true engagement and builds relationships.” •

Vicki Clark leads a discussion on Servant Leadership at the Summer Session 2017 for League leaders

IMPACT 2022

A SUMMARY OF RESULTS FROM THE 2017 ANNUAL SURVEY

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ast year, the Strategic Planning Committee invited new, active, transfer, and sustaining members to complete the Annual Survey.

The survey provides an opportunity for members to share their thoughts about the Junior League of Washington’s (JLW) values and impact.

These results were used when shaping Impact 2022, the League’s new five-year

By Melissa Richards

Strategic Plan, which went into effect this summer and will run through 2022.

Results suggest that since 2015-2016, JLW members have seen an increase in their satisfaction overall, specifically with our leadership. Friendship, volunteering, training, and making an impact were aspects of League involvement that members valued most. Most women stay active within the League for access to volunteer

opportunities, to gain leadership training, and to maintain a professional network.

Members also expressed their appreciation for training opportunities in leadership and time and resource management.

The Strategic Planning Committee is busy implementing this feedback through Impact 2022 (check out our Q&A with Strategic Planning Chair Sara McGanity). •

Important findings from the JLW 2017 Annual Survey.

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IMPACT 2022

Q&A: INTRODUCING IMPACT 2022

By Melissa Richards

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ara McGanity, 2017-2018 Strategic Planning Committee Chair, is leading the charge on the Junior League of Washington’s (JLW) new Strategic Plan, Impact 2022. Here, she gives members a quick summary of Impact 2022’s goals for this year and beyond.

Can you summarize Impact 2022?

What is it?

Impact 2022 is a five-year Strategic Plan lasting for the 2017-2022 period. It was built out of the spirit of our successes and expands on our most recent five-year Strategic Plan. Impact 2022 has three major goals: impacting our community; impacting our brand; and impacting our internal sense of community. Each year, we will roll out an Annual Plan that will help us achieve Impact 2022’s large-scale goals in phases.

We are really looking forward to some of the future elements of the plan, such as celebrating the diversity of our 2,300+ members and applying the vast talents and experiences of our Sustainers.

Why is there a Strategic Plan?

Having a plan allows us to come up with specific, tangible items that we can work towards in order to advance the League’s mission and goals. The plan also allows us to track important data and metrics to ensure that we are serving all women in the League. By creating this plan, we also are allowing for thoughts and collaboration across councils, which is essential in a large, member-based organization. It is important to develop a multi-year plan because, in some cases, you need a couple of years to fully implement an initiative and see results.

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How was the plan developed?

Development of the plan was a collaborative process between women on the 2016-2017 committee. This group was composed of members who joined after signing up at the placement fair, as well as ladies who were appointed by the JLW president. We really wanted to have a collective and diverse group of women around the table to make sure we represented the brand, community, and membership of the League in Impact 2022.

We created a draft plan that was forward-looking, while also building upon our 20122017 Strategic Plan. Then, we presented the draft to the JLW Board of Directors in spring 2017, made final tweaks, and then resubmitted the plan to the Board for adoption in June.

The three major goals of Impact 2022, JLW’s new five-year Strategic Plan.

What are the goals for Year One? In this first year of Impact 2022, we are busy educating League members on the plan’s major goals and themes. We met with a variety of council and committee leaders this summer, and look forward to getting the word out and educating to more members about Impact 2022 throughout the fall.

In addition to this, during 2017-2018, each council (instead of the Board) will create goals to achieve Impact 2022, thereby empowering committees to contribute to the Strategic Plan in a meaningful way.

We believe this will subsequently lead to more active and passionate involvement in the plan’s implementation. We have also encouraged our committee leaders to craft

metrics that will help us measure our goals.

We plan on assembling their ideas and data, and using them as a transition tool so that we know where to put our time and effort during Year Two. I am excited to see the creative ideas that we develop together!

What are ways that JLW members can contribute to this plan and get involved?

Members will be participating whether they realize it or not it or not! Whether working shifts for her placement, attending events, or participating in our celebrations across the League’s 105th year, each member will have a chance to get involved. We also encourage members to give their council and committee leaders input when working on Impact 2022. Completing our annual member survey also helps gauge the effectiveness of Impact 2022 each year. •

SUSTAINERS

JLW THROUGH THE YEARS:

THREE FIRSTHAND ACCOUNTS

By Brittany Higdon

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had the opportunity to sit down and speak with three Junior League of Washington Sustainers Emeriti. The term “Sustainer Emeritus” refers to women who are Sustainers and have reached 80 years of age. One thing that struck me about all three of these women was the passion that they still have for giving back to their communities. Here, they share their stories about how League membership has changed over the years and how their years in the League helped to form them into the women they are.

PAGE HART BOTELER When Nashville native Page Hart met Washington, DC, native, Chuck Boteler during her senior year at Bryn Mawr College, Hart never imagined that that moment would bring her to the nation’s capital. Boteler, who was studying at Haverford College after serving in World War II in the Marine Corps, was a fifth-generation Washingtonian with strong ties back home. He had also received an offer to play for the New York Giants, which he turned down. The pair graduated in June 1947 and married the following New Year’s Day at an Antebellum home in Nashville.

While the idea of Hart’s new husband and life in Washington was exciting to her, she did not know anyone besides her husband. To help her make friends in DC, Hart Boteler’s aunt, who was the founder of the Junior League of Nashville, invited her to join the Junior League with the intention of transferring to the Junior League of Washington (JLW) to do her provisional course.

“I presented myself to the Junior League of Washington in 1949,” explains Hart Boteler, now living in a retirement community in Montgomery County. “I don’t think I would have met anybody [otherwise]... My first meeting with the Junior League of Washington was at the provisional meeting in March 1949 at their headquarters in a brick town house on 20th Street – only a couple of blocks from Dupont Circle.” Hart Boteler was a member of the “Professionals Group” of Provisionals (Editor’s Note: JLW members often now refer to this as “New Members”), who met both for the provisional course as well as to volunteer in the evening because they were among the few members who had day jobs. The provisional course consisted of information about the history and life of Washington, DC, and

ended with all participants having to write an in-depth, “sufficient” paper. During Hart Boteler’s first few years in the Junior League of Washington, she volunteered with the Marionette Committee, which performed puppet shows for worthy causes throughout DC in the evenings.

A few years later, when Hart Boteler was expecting her third child, the then-President of JLW asked her to be treasurer, to which she responded, “You’re desperate, aren’t you?” Hart Boteler graciously accepted the position, saying, “That’s how I got into the ‘day world’ of the Junior League.” From there, Hart Boteler became the Provisional Chair, which she said was the most difficult of all of her positions in JLW. “[The provisional year] was very rigid, and, as Provisional Chairman, I had to be at [every event], which were all on weekends.”

As chair, Hart Boteler also had to make the assessment as to whether or not the participants’ papers were sufficient, which she admitted was not always the most pleasant task. She recalled one time in which a Provisional Member did not write a sufficient paper and was therefore not invited to become an active member; Hart Boteler still feels badly about it. During Hart Boteler’s active years, the Junior League membership met only once a year at Chevy Chase Country Club. The program included all committee reports and installation of officers. In 1967 Hart Boteler became the Vice President of JLW before she became a Sustainer, which automatically happened for all Junior League members at age 40 at this time.

Hart Boteler’s sustainer status did not stop her from continuing to volunteer. When America’s bicentennial rolled around, JLW was asked to compile a book that came to be entitled, The City of Washington, DC, an Illustrated History. “I did the marketing, boxes, and mail orders,” Hart Boteler explained, beaming with pride. “The book was a great undertaking.” Hart Boteler’s name adorns the credits page in the book, which, while out of print, is still available on many vintage book websites.

As a Sustainer, Hart Boteler also volunteered with the Junior League Christmas Shops, which started when she was appointed as the Christmas Shops Committee Treasurer. “There was a diverse group of stores in a hotel ballroom, and they would give a percentage of their sales to the Junior League. I would supervise and get daily reports from the stores.” Hart Boteler was very proud of the fact that the Christmas Shops, now known as Holiday Shops, is a continuing tradition.

“Junior League has always been primary in my life,” Hart Boteler said with affection. While the League has changed drastically since her provisional year in 1949, she wrote in a follow-up email, “I have

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applauded the fact that nice young ladies now simply ‘apply to’ the Junior League and no longer have to have their potential membership ‘approved’ (by a JLW group of young ladies). It has certainly given it a wonderful vibrancy with 2,300 lovely members.”

throughout the country, her passion for volunteering has not waned.

From the Midwest, to the East Coast, now to the Mid-Atlantic, it is safe to say that Boynton’s volunteering service is far from over.

JANE BOYNTON

It was 1947 when the recent Kappa Alpha Theta University of California - Berkeley graduate, Mary Patricia “Patti” Harvey (now Schneider), received an invitation to join the Junior League of Los Angeles. A third-generation resident of Beverly Hills, Schneider was also the graduate of Marlborough School, an all-girls’ school in Los Angeles. At Marlborough, Schneider said that she learned the importance of volunteering, a passion that has followed her throughout her life. Even today, Schneider volunteers in leadership positions at her retirement community and maintains an active social life.

When Schneider received the invitation to join the Junior League, she was working at I. Marnin & Co., a department store in Los Angeles. She said she was invited because many of her friends were members of the Junior League, and her mother was thrilled that her daughter would be given such an honor. In 1957, Schneider moved with her new husband to Alaska, where he worked as a newspaper editor, and she, now taking a leave of absence from the Junior League, learned how to sew. In Alaska, the couple also welcomed their daughter, Nancy, who arrived six months before Alaska became a state. Schneider recalls the celebration that ensued when Alaska was granted statehood, full of cheering and celebrations in the streets. From Alaska, Schneider and her husband then moved back to California, this time to Santa Barbara, where they had another baby, Clifford, and later, they moved to Sherman Oaks, CA. Difficulty then followed Schneider, as her sister was tragically killed in a car accident, and she and her husband divorced. However, an interesting twist was about to come Schneider’s way.

Schneider flew to her sister’s funeral and was greeted by her mourning brother-in-law, Bill Schneider, an Army Colonel and 1946 graduate of West Point, who was left with five children. She had a strange feeling that she was going to marry him, an inkling that came to fruition shortly thereafter. Now the mother of seven children, Schneider and her new mixed family lived in El Paso, TX at Fort Hood for a year before Bill was asked to become the U.S. Army attache in Moscow, Russia, which was where they lived for the next three years. The couple’s 1971 return to the United States brought them to the Mount Vernon area because they thought a call to the Pentagon was imminent. However, Bill was asked to go to Omaha, NE, instead, which was where Schneider became active in the Junior League again as a Sustainer, with the encouragement of her neighbor, Dorothy.

In the Junior League of Omaha, Schneider played bridge with fellow Sustainers, a hobby that she continues to this day. There, she also served on the American Cancer Society board, and served as hostess at many Army functions. When Bill and she moved to the DC area, she continued her involvement with the Sustainers of JLW. Even though the Junior League has certainly changed throughout the years, Schneider still feels the same honor her mother felt when she was asked to join in 1947. •

Nearly 60 years and six Junior League chapters later, Jane Boynton is still a proud and active Sustainer Emerita of JLW. Boynton joined the Junior League in Rockford, IL, in 1958, where her mother was a member until her death at the age of 102. From Rockford, life brought Boynton to Evanston, IL, where she completed her provisional year with the Junior League of Evanston. During her provisional year, Boynton recalls learning about the different agencies with whom the Junior League volunteered. From Evanston, Boynton moved with her new husband to Cleveland, OH, where she joined the Junior League of Cleveland. Next up, she moved to the Junior League of Philadelphia, and then the Junior League of Bronxville, NY, before finally landing in Washington, DC, where she remains a member of the JLW. Throughout her years in many Junior League chapters, Boynton volunteered in many different capacities. Without hesitation, she said that her favorite volunteer opportunity was teaching foreign women when she was with the Junior League of Philadelphia. Boynton’s “students” were doctors’ wives who did not speak English, so Boynton used the Sears catalogue to teach them the names of everyday items.

She also enjoyed volunteering at local elementary schools here in the DC area. Both of these volunteer experiences sparked her love for teaching, which led to Boynton’s 41-year teaching career. Boynton’s most recent job was at Washington Episcopal School, where she taught Computer Science and led the Robotics Team to four state trophies.

Today, Boynton enjoys the social aspects of the Junior League, and continues to volunteer. As an active Sustainer, Boynton has enjoyed the Dining Out Club and has hosted Sustainers for coffee at her home in Bethesda. She also loves attending a vintage game night with other Sustainers at the Woodrow Wilson House, and helped secure White House Pastry Chef, Roland Mesnier, to speak at a Sustainers’ event at the Washington Golf and Country Club. Boynton makes it a point to attend the National Book Festival every year as well as Holiday Shops. This year, Boynton enjoyed hearing J.D. Vance, author of The Hillbilly Elegy, speak at the National Book Festival. She is an avid reader, and a member of two book clubs. Even with her bustling social life, Boynton still finds plenty of time to volunteer.

Even though she did not volunteer at the National Book Festival this year, she plans to continue volunteering in the future since she enjoys it so much. On Tuesdays, she can be found answering phones at the White House, and on Fridays, she volunteers at the Hillwood Estate, home to Marjorie Merriweather Post.

Though life has brought Boynton through Junior League chapters

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PATTI SCHNEIDER

SAVE THE DATE: KITCHEN TOUR

A TASTE OF BROOKLAND:

HOME TO JLW’S 2018 KITCHEN TOUR

By Sadie Cornelius

PHOTO OF MONROE STREET MARKET ARTS WALK BY DANIEL LOBO

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estled in the northeast quadrant of Washington, DC, and accessible via the metro rail system’s Red Line, the up-and-coming neighborhood of Brookland will be home to the Junior League of Washington’s 2018 Kitchen Tour. The tree-lined streets and quaint storefronts of DC’s “Little Rome” make it a popular place for those who want more space paired with DC history

and culture. From Romanesque stone monasteries to a vibrant arts scene, Brookland has everything from coffee shops to cater to the collegiate crowd to a thriving and passionate artist community.

Large, single-home lots and ample outdoor spaces have facilitated an active gardening community, and new retail, dining, and housing developments over the past decade have made Brookland an attractive option for families and young professionals.

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Map of Brookland with highlights below

Here are some highlights of the area: (numbers correspond with the map above) 1. CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY: The 193-acre campus was established in 1887. Its annual enrollment is around 7,000 students, and notable alumni include Maureen Dowd, Ed McMahon, Susan Sarandon, Jon Voight, and Brian Williams.

2. BASILICA OF THE NATIONAL SHRINE OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION: The largest Roman Catholic Church in North America has hosted three papal visits, including Pope Francis in 2015. It is one of the 10 biggest churches in the world and holds the largest collection of contemporary ecclesiastical art.

3. FRANCISCAN MONASTERY OF THE HOLY LAND OF AMERICA: Founded in 1899, the Byzantine-style Church is surrounded by cloisters, a garden with hundreds of roses and replicas of Holy Land shrines like the Grotto of Lourdes.

4. MONROE STREET MARKET ARTS WALK: Overseen by the nonprofit CulturalDC, the gallery is home to 40-plus local potters, painters, and artists. The nearby brick-paved pedestrian street has regular film screenings, festivals, and a Saturday farmer’s market.

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5. DANCE PLACE: Operating for 30-plus years, it hosts more than 100 performances throughout the year, from contemporary choreography to South American salsa.

6. THE NEWTON THEATER: Originally built in 1937, this art deco-style building-turned-CVS is on the National Register of Historic Places and was a popular spot for soul legend Marvin Gaye, who also recorded music in the basement of Brookland resident Bo Diddley’s house.

Mark your calendars for this year’s JLW Kitchen Tour on Saturday, April 21, 2018, and keep an eye out for details on Kitchen Tour’s preview event, Toast of the Tour, in late winter / early spring.

The seventh annual JLW Kitchen Tour will feature the homes of more than a half-dozen kitchens paired with food and drinks from buzzworthy chefs and mixologists. All proceeds from this event directly support the Junior League of Washington’s Mission of developing the potential of women, improving the community, and promoting voluntarism. For the first time, JLW will be accepting applications for this year’s home tour kitchens. More information can be found at www.jlw.org/kitchentour. •

SAVE THE DATE: KITCHEN TOUR

HOSTING KITCHEN TOUR

By Erin Williams

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very year, the Junior League of Washington (JLW) puts on a Kitchen Tour, where we house hop while feasting on appetizers, desserts, and cocktails from the well known chefs and mixologists. The women who open their homes to us often go unnoticed or unmentioned. Two members, Robin Jones and Zoe Louise Jackman, volunteered their homes in spring 2017 and were willing to share their Kitchen Tour experience with us.

Jones became involved with the Kitchen Tour after reading in League Lines that Kitchen Tour was going to be in her neighborhood. She was instrumental in getting her neighbors to participate.

She describes her decorative styles as more traditional and formal with a color scheme of gold, red, and green. Jones went undercover to hear guests’ remarks about her home.”It was a pleasant surprise to hear what others thought,” she said. To get her home ready for the event, she displayed her collection of Junior League cookbooks from various cities she has visited. She also rearranged some furniture to allow for the 400 glasses of wine and Stella Artois beer that were served to guests touring her home.

Jackman got involved with Kitchen Tour when Jones, her friend from the League and the neighborhood, talked her into it. She describes her style as “pretty Southern Living/Lilly Pulitzer-inspired.

Whenever friends turn onto my street, they always say they don’t need to remember the house number because they just look for the hot pink monogram on the front door! My home style reflects my personality. There’s lots of pink, books, bright colors, and baking supplies!” Her favorite thing about hosting was getting to meet so many new JLW members and seeing old friends. Her advice to those who want to open their homes next year to the Kitchen Tour is to “Relax and have fun! Plus, go look around everyone else’s house early so you can sample all the other fun treats.” Jackman contributed to the treats sampled along the tour by baking mini chocolate cupcakes.

Feel inspired? Learn more about volunteering with the Kitchen Tour on the JLW website.

ZOE LOUISE JACKMAN 1. HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE KITCHEN TOUR? Robin Jones coerced me! We are friends both from the League and the neighborhood, and since a number of League ladies are in the neighborhood- and many of us serve on Holiday Shops together! - we all agreed to do it. We were excited to show off our neighborhood community.

2. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DECORATIVE STYLE AND THE STYLE/ DESIGN OF YOUR HOME? It’s pretty Southern Living/Lilly Pulitzer inspired. Whenever friends turn onto my street, they always say they don’t need to remember the house number because they just look for the hot pink monogram on the front door! My home style reflects my personality. There’s lots of pink, books, bright colors, and baking supplies!

3. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT HOSTING? Getting to meet so many new JLW members and seeing a lot of old friends. Everyone who came through was so complimentary about the house, which was really sweet. Plus, my mother came to visit and got to play docent and meet a lot of my JLW friends after I have talked her ear off about the League numerous times, so that was fun!

4. WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET YOUR HOME “KITCHEN TOUR READY?” Clean! I really just planted my front garden early...and baked some mini chocolate cupcakes!

5. NORTHEAST DC IS AN “UP AND COMING” AREA (AND MANY WOULD SAY IT HAS ALREADY ARRIVED)...WHAT MADE YOU MOVE TO NE? I lived in NE when I first moved to DC, and I knew I wanted to stay in the neighborhood. It’s such a wonderful community. Plus, the new restaurants on H Street have been a big plus.

6. WHEN YOU PURCHASED YOUR HOME DID YOU DO ANY RENOVATIONS? IF SO, WHAT DID YOU DO? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? Yes. I was lucky that a lot of the house was renovated, but I repaired all the floors upstairs with my dad, as well as repainted the whole house, did minor repairs, changed out all the lights, and put in a lot of built-in shelves, especially those in the living room. I had a full-time job and a part-time job, plus the JLW, so my dad and I really just did the work on weekends when I was free, so it all took about a year for me to really feel like I was done. But, as any homeowner will tell you, you are never really “done” with your house!!

7. ANY ADVICE FOR NEXT YEAR’S HOSTS? Relax and have fun! Plus, go look around everyone else’s house early so you can sample all the other fun treats.

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SAVE THE DATE: KITCHEN TOUR

ROBIN JONES 1.

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH THE KITCHEN TOUR? I read in League Lines that the 2017 Kitchen Tour was going to be along the H Street Corridor. I love my neighborhood and was happy to talk about the Kitchen Tour with other neighbors (some JLW members, some not) about participating in the Kitchen Tour.

2.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR DECORATIVE STYLE AND THE STYLE/ DESIGN OF YOUR HOME? I’m slightly on the more traditional/formal style with a theme of golds, reds, and greens. My family room has more casual furniture styles. The bedrooms are slightly more preppy/shabby chic. Hints of green run throughout the house.

3.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT HOSTING? When it was my turn to tour my own home (I was undercover!) and listening to other people’s remarks. It was a pleasant surprise to hear what others thought.

4.

WHAT DID YOU HAVE TO DO TO GET YOUR HOME “KITCHEN TOUR READY”?

I’ve somehow managed to collect Junior League cookbooks from various cities and towns that I’ve visited. Before the Kitchen Tour I displayed all 17 on my kitchen table. It was fun to display those and thanks to Carolyn Wilson for giving me some book display cases. I was a drink stop - so with enough wine for 400 glasses and a Stella-rator, I did have to rearrange some furniture, but it was all really easy.

5.

NORTHEAST DC IS AN “UP AND COMING” AREA (AND MANY WOULD SAY IT HAS ALREADY ARRIVED)...WHAT MADE YOU MOVE TO NE? I lived on Capitol Hill (SE) for about six years and finally realized that I was going to be in DC for awhile. I wanted to buy a house in a neighborhood that I could walk to dinner, but still feel like a neighborhood. The H Street Corridor met those requirements.

6.

Sushi making during the JLW 2017 Kitchen Tour at Robin Jones’ house

Zoe Louise Jackman with her Mom during the JLW 2017 Kitchen Tour

WHEN YOU PURCHASED YOUR HOME DID YOU DO ANY RENOVATIONS? IF SO, WHAT DID YOU DO? HOW LONG DID IT TAKE? My house was fully renovated when I purchased it (over 6 years and I still haven’t even painted. I did do a major renovation last year to the basement that included excavating under the porch and converting the garage to a bedroom. It made for a great family/tv room.

ANY ADVICE FOR NEXT YEAR’S HOSTS? Enjoy the day! I left my house when the first guest arrived and just enjoyed taking the tour. Have fun! • Cookbooks displayed at Robin Jones’ house during the JLW 2017 Kitchen Tour

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Fall 2017

3039 M Street, NW Washington, DC 20007

DATES TO REMEMBER

JANUARY 15 Day of Service

JANUARY 31 General Membership Meeting FEBRUARY 12 Diamonds and Desserts

APRIL 28 Bright Beginnings 5K