Fall General Membership Meeting: A Book Drive In Honor of Literacy

FALL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING: A BOOK DRIVE

IN HONOR OF LITERACY

By Molly DiGiammarino

The Junior League of Washington (JLW) 2019-2020 league year celebrates 20 years of focusing our volunteer and financial resources on improving literacy in our community. JLW is celebrating and commemorating this important milestone in ways deeply tied to our mission: service, developing the potential of women, and community impact.

To celebrate the milestone, the Fall General Membership Meeting featured a literacy-themed program and an opportunity for members to give back.

As part of the focus on literacy, the Membership Outreach and Literacy Anniversary Project Committee partnered for a book drive and collected new and gently-used books at the meeting. The book drive was part of the anniversary initiative, Readers2Leaders, which focuses on working with children and adults to use reading and literacy skills to empower them in their personal and professional lives.

The featured speaker, Martha “Martie” Kettmer, is a JLW pastpresident and an integral part of JLW’s founding of the nonprofit organization Bright Beginnings, Inc. The organization operates early childhood and

Former JLW president Martha “Martie” Kettmer.

More than 100 children’s books were collected in support of Bright Beginnings at the Fall General Membership Meeting.

family learning centers for children and families experiencing homelessness in Washington, DC. Kettmer spoke to members about the impact JLW has made through the founding and continued support of Bright Beginnings.

The Children’s Book Drive raised 70 books for Bright Beginnings. Readers2Leaders activities celebrating 20 years of literacy will continue throughout the year. •

President-elect, Jessica Taylor White, former JLW president Martha “Martie” Kettmer, and current JLW President, Carly Mitchell at the fall general membership meeting.

Former JLW president Martha “Martie” Kettmer and current President Carly Mitchell talk about Bright Beginnings and the 20th anniversary of literacy-focused volunteer programs at the Fall General Membership Meeting.