2023 Junior League of Greensboro EverGreene Magazine
JUNIOR
Advertisers Index
LThe Junior League of Greensboro 3101 West Friendly Avenue Greensboro, NC 27408
336-852-JLG2 (5542) juniorleagueofgreensboro.org
orem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Vivamus in urna felis. Fusce id tortor dictum, efficitur nibh nec, iaculis dui. Cras sed pharetra nisi. Nunc interdum hendrerit ex sit amet sagittis. Cras ullamcorper interdum risus. Duis blandit dolor sed suscipit ullamcorper. Pellentesque et pharetra lacus. Integer semper odio eu dolor varius, id malesuada libero ultrices. Spring 2023 Issue
EDITOR
Chantel Simpson
MAGAZINE DESIGN
Maggie Josey Tolodziecki
COMMUNICATIONS VP
Isabel Adams
COMMUNICATIONS CHAIR
Katie Karpinski
2022-2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Leigh Anne Bullin
President-Elect Susanne Hall
Executive Vice President Amy Mason
Treasurer Nicole Scallon
Secretary Michele Matthews
Nominating Chair Sally Cartwright
Director Brittany Blue
Director Jillian Davis
Director Afi Johnson-Parris
Director Debbie West
2022-2023 MANAGEMENT TEAM
Executive Vice President Amy Mason
Executive Vice President-Elect Becca Mead
Personnel Chair Kari Smith
Training Vice President Stephanie Blair
Treasurer-Elect Cristy Love
Membership Vice President Coretta Walker
Fund Development Vice President Libby Schinnow
Communications Vice President Isabel Adams
Bargain Box Chair Marisa Muñoz
Community Vice President Jenna Brubaker
Nominating Chair Elect Kisha Carmichael-Motley
Sustainer Co-Presidents Daniela Helms &
Jones
Character, Courage and Commitment!
CHANTEL SIMPSON , EverGreene Editor 2022-2023
FOR 95 YEARS, the Junior League of Greensboro has shown a demonstrated commitment to our community through its unending dedication to character building, courage to make change and commitment to bolstering the voices of women leaders throughout our region. These women are leaders, representing all walks of life from industry to academia, homemakers and even retireeseach bringing a passion for volunteerism and a vision for bettering our communities.
As we have entered our transition into a post-COVID world, the courageous commitment of the Junior League to supporting positive community transformation has never been more evident. This year, the women of the Junior League of Greensboro provided countless hours of service through community-oriented events such as Touch-A-Truck and our current partnerships with Community Housing Solutions, Kids in the Kitchen, Kellin Kids, and Backpack Beginnings.
This year, we were fortunate to have several partners provide space for us to meet and reconnect as we learned about upcoming events, news and exciting changes coming to
the Greensboro community. Our CONNECTions team helped us reconnect after the isolation resulting from COVID by getting us outside and together for hikes, Winter Wonderlights and wine-tasting events.
Our Women to Watch series saw a focus on leadership development and introduced a number of different leadership and problem-solving strategies to help women thrive in their environments.
The Bargain Box, the
JLG’s longest ongoing fundraiser, continued to prove its fruitfulness and value to the community by providing high-end consignment retail. We welcomed 30+ provisional members to the League and honored several women in our community for their continued dedication to our communities. Lastly, we closed out our year league with our Signature Fundraiser, the 2023 Designer Showhouse, which showcased North Carolina-based interior designers and provided fundraising support to continue the mission and goals of Junior League.
These past few years have been tough, but through it all, we have persevered, continuing to develop our character, exhibit courage and demonstrate our commitment to community through service and sisterhood.
Respecting the Past, Preparing for the Future!
LEIGH ANNE BULLIN , President 2022-2023
ICAN’T IMAGINE my life without time spent volunteering. Fortunately, during my search for a strong, volunteer-driven, community-minded organization to which I could give my time, I found The Junior League of Greensboro. It is not easy to find an organization that has been around for 95 years and is still going strong, doing many great things in the community, and training volunteers to go above and beyond!
Josephine R. Ward, President 1930-1931, said, “As we make history, we make progress.” The Junior League has definitely made history and yes, progress, throughout its time serving the Greensboro community. Over the past 95 years, the League has started some amazing organizations, including the Greensboro Science Center (now the Natural Science Center), the Cerebral Palsy School (now Gateway Education Center), Greensboro Pharmacy, and others. This year, as a way to show our respect to past League members, time was set aside during General Membership Meetings to provide members with fun facts about the League, including tidbits of information from our history. Community partners from the organizations we helped launch were also invited to meetings to talk about the work being continued today and into the future.
It is important that we also remember all of the Sustainers and past members who stood where we stand and volunteered their time to the community while holding down full-time jobs, raising families, and leading the way for a successful future. We are so grateful that the lessons they learned have been passed on to the next generation of active members, whether it was working with a community partner, planning the Follies, holding a Showhouse, or completing a shift at the Bargain Box. All of this hard work has greatly
contributed to the success of the League today! The 2022-2023 League Year was really exciting, as it was our Signature Fundraiser Year. A Signature Fundraiser helps us prepare for the future by raising the funds necessary to continue supporting our community partners and to train our membership to be better leaders and volunteers. This type of fundraiser takes the work of a lot of people to be successful and to accomplish the goal. The main focus of this fundraising year was the Designer Showhouse. The last Showhouse fundraiser was held in 2013, so we knew we had a lot of work ahead of us. Finding the house, relocating the homeowner and their furnishings before and after the event, getting sponsorships, seeking out designers, working on the logistics, and planning the parties took a massive amount of work – but it was well worth it. Imagine our excitement when we learned the Junior League of Greensboro was fortunate enough to use the historic home at 902 Sunset
Drive for Showhouse! The redesign of the home was completed by all North Carolina Designers using products from North Carolina manufacturers. “Summit at the Showhouse” was held at the house to continue training for our members and community. The Showhouse Chairs, working hand in hand with their various committees, did an amazing job getting this done. Attendees raved about the house and the events. Every-
thing turned out spectacularly! The success of the Signature Fundraiser this year was due in part to the decision to make our Community Partnerships a two-year commitment. Each of our Community Partners is excited for the opportunity to continue to work with us into the 2023-2024 League Year. Examples of successful community partner activities this year included:
• Working with Community Housing Solutions to build handrails, paint bathrooms, install fans and grab bars, trim bushes, weed flower beds, and more. We even had the opportunity to provide one homeowner with groceries!
• Supporting Kids In The Kitchen, which teaches kids how to “snack smart” with fun snacks at the Boys and Girls Club, Touch-A-Truck, and LeBauer Park.
• Spending Saturday mornings sorting and packing diapers and other baby donations at Backpack Beginnings Baby Basics Program. The team members also shopped for basic needs to supply to the program.
• Holding events with Kellin Kids at the Children’s Museum, Trampoline Jump Park, Greensboro Swarm Game, and Country Park, in support of Kellin Kids’ focus on encouraging children to find their passions and to discover how they can make a difference in their communities.
We also continued to support and grow the JLG Bargain Box, which, at 76 years old, is the League’s longest ongoing fundraiser. Many of our members (and even some of their significant others!) came together to complete a much-needed make-over of the store. A coat of fresh paint, new signage, thorough cleaning, and rearranging of merchandise has made this store more inviting to the public.
Our members are what make us The Junior League. Our “Shining Stars” are members that have been recognized for going above and beyond by fellow members. They were recognized in our meetings and given a gold star to wear on their nametag throughout the year to show their commitment. I may be partial, but I consider all of our members “Shining Stars.” We could not do what we do
without every member, every day!
What an awesome year it has been for the Junior League of Greensboro. As this year comes to a close, I am proud to say that these amazing women, working with our community partners, have continued to focus on finding ways to improve the lives of families and children in our communities. I am excited to see what next year will bring!
When I joined the Junior League over a decade ago, I did not realize I would meet and become friends with so many incredible, hard-working, community-focused women and receive such joy from serving our community alongside them. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to lead this great organization and look forward to our success in the future!
Sustainer President’s Message
DANIELA HELMS , Sustainer Co-President 2022-2023
AS
FAR BACK AS I
CAN REMEMBER
, Caroline Jones and I have been friends. We have traveled together and raised our families together—and we’ve shown up for each other when it mattered most. We met through our children, and we volunteered side by side in the Junior League “way back” in the 1990s (or, as our kids will tell you, in the 1900s). And look where we are now: best friends and Sustainer Co-Presidents for two years!
We said “yes” to this role because we are both passionate about the League, we love being and working together, and we have a limitless drive for making our community better year after year. I served as active president of our League in 2006-07, and Caroline
was president in 2009-10. We know what it takes to lead an organization that produces trained and effective volunteers and outstanding community advocates. The common thread that Caroline and I share is one of collective volunteerism and collaborative effort toward a shared goal: to have Greensboro be the best it can be.
The 2022-23 Sustainer year was a full one! Our year kicked off on a beautiful September afternoon with a Sustainer gathering for those interested in serving on committees. We were thrilled to see our sign-up sheet completely full by the gathering’s end. In November, we hosted the Fall Luncheon at Starmount Country Club, which was chaired by Ashley Staton Scott
“The common thread that Caroline and I share is one of collective volunteerism and collaborative effort toward a shared goal: to have Greensboro be the best it can be.”
DANIELA HELMS
Sustainer President 2022-2023
CAROLINE JONES
Sustainer President 2022-2023
and her committee: Jean Copeland, Trisha Edwards, Mary Ann Gerhard, Leslie Hertwig, Phyllis Lancaster, Julie Nelson and Mary Claire Thomas. At the luncheon, we collected three full cars of donations for Backpack Beginnings, one of the League’s current community programs. Local interior designer Kara Cox generated excitement for the Showhouse by sharing funny and challenging ‘behind the scenes’ stories about past designer showhouses! Before the holidays, we planned two pop-up shopping events, one at Watkins Sydnor (chaired by Carrie Cowen, Lisa Bobitt and Marissa Austin) and the other at Polliwogs (hosted by Sustainer Margaret White). Thank you to both of these local businesses, who donated a percentage of sales from the evenings back to our League.
In January, Pam and Dennis Stearns opened up their beautiful home for our “Twinkles and Twilight” couples cocktail party, which was spectacular and very well attended! It was a fabulous evening chaired by Pam Smith and Laura Wolf, along with committee members Alexa Aycock, Barbara Braswell, Mary Ann Gerhard and Fran Oxner. In March, the annual Wine and Cheese gathering was hosted by Well-Spring Retirement Community and was chaired by Leslie Conway and Kay Chestnut, along with committee members
Jeanne Blaisdell, RuthAnne Brame and Elizabeth Green. The grand finale, our Spring Sustainer Luncheon, was planned as an al fresco buffet at the Designer Showhouse in April! It was chaired by Pam Ring and Julie Longmire, along with their fabulous committee members: Barbara Braswell, Rhonda Bentz, Tonya Cockman, Pam Finn, Stella Jones, Pat Vreeland and Barbara Wales.
We could not be happier about the enthusiasm and energy of our Sustainer Members and at our events this year! In a post-Covid world, it is obvious that we crave gatherings and connection. Caroline and I have plans to reach out to Sustainers who have resigned and encourage them to reinstate—not only to support an organization they believe in, but also to become “active” as a Sustainer again and enjoy all of these incredible social events.
Caroline and I have been called a “dynamic duo” and a “dream team,” fun nicknames we are excited to earn over our two-year partnership. Our strengths complement each other, we share a passion for the League’s purpose and mission, and we will continue working toward getting more Sustainer friends active and excited. Thank you to everyone who helped make this a great year. We can’t wait for 2023–24!
General Membership Meetings
TORI POPE , Meeting Arrangements Chair 2022-2023
THE MEETING ARRANGEMENTS
COMMITTEE was thrilled to host members for fully in-person GMMs for the 2022-23 League Year.
We kicked off September at The Colonnade at Revolution Mill, where we were introduced to our new Bargain Box Manager, Cosina Moore, and received initial plans from the Signature Fundraising Committee for the 2023 Showhouse.
At the October GMM, members were welcomed back to Sherwood Swim and Racquet Club, where we heard from Chewan Moore, Director of Community Resources with the Women’s Resource Center, who discussed the first-hand impact that the partnership between WRC and the Bargain Box has had in our community.
Greensboro Day School courteously sponsored and hosted our November GMM on its campus. Tracie Catlett, Head of School, and the Junior League’s own Gillian Goodman, Lower School Director, provided
renovation updates. We also welcomed Carol Ghirsi from the Greensboro History Museum, who recounted the long-standing partnership between the Museum and JLG—right down to the first penny!
In January, Glenn Dobrogosz, CEO of the Greensboro Science Center, joined our virtual GMM to outline the Center’s plans for putting its newly granted $20-million bond toward “The Gateway Project.” We also endorsed our new Active and Provisional Members and approved our 2023-24 Leadership Slate Motion!
The March GMM returned to the Triad Stage for the first time in our post-pandemic world. We topped the evening off with a fantastic Après at The Bargain Box, where Showhouse attire was on full display and ready to be rocked!
Our final meeting of the year is always a personal favorite: we come together in May to celebrate a wonderful, impactful League year and to look forward to new opportunities in the next.
Community Housing Solutions
ASHLEY RICKS , Community Housing Solutions Chair 2022-2023
THIS YEAR’S PARTNERSHIP with Community Housing Solutions has been rewarding and inspiring for the members of the Junior League of Greensboro. We have built temporary ramps, permanent ramps and stair handrails; installed ceiling fans and grab bars; pruned and pulled weeds; replaced doors; fixed crawl space accesses; and contributed to the wellness and happiness of the elderly community here in Greensboro.
Our continued partnership with Community Housing Solution embodies the League’s mission of promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community: we are making homes warmer, drier and safer for those that live right here, in our neighborhood. The Junior League of Greensboro has assisted with projects that we hope have bettered the lives of several of our community members. What’s more, working with CHS has helped league members develop skills they otherwise would not have had the opportunity to learn.
I want to thank everyone who has participated in our four builds this year. These builds would not have been possible without the continued support of the League and its members.
Kellin Kids
CAROLINE WALKER , Kellin Kids Chair 2022-2023
THIS YEAR, the Junior League of Greensboro partnered with the Kellin Foundation in support of the Kellin Kids program. The Kellin Foundation seeks to strengthen the resilience of children, families, adults and communities through trauma-informed behavioral health services focused on prevention, treatment and healing. Kellin Kids focuses on encouraging children to find their passions and to discover how they can make a difference in their communities.
The first event of the year was the “Back to School Supply Drive” at the Greensboro Children’s Museum. Kellin Kids donated school supplies, and we participated in activities designed to help children develop coping skills and build resilience. And at Touch-ATruck in October, Kellin Foundation hosted a pumpkin-painting table,
which was a big hit!
In the winter, Kellin Foundation hosted a night with the Greensboro Swarm. Community children earned tickets to the big game by donating gifts for the Kellin Cares holiday toy drive. Kellin Foundation also hosted a card-making table at the game so that the kids could make cards to accompany the gifts or write ‘thankful cards’ to special people in their lives.
In the spring, Kellin Kids hosted
an event at Altitude Trampoline Park, where attendees made donations to and prepared supply bags for the Interactive Resource Center. The final event of the year, which supported BackPack Beginnings, was Pinwheels of Hope. At the event, participant made pinwheels in recognition of National Child Abuse Awareness month. Working with Kellin Kids has been rewarding and fun, and we look forward to our continued partnership!
Kids in the Kitchen
DANIELLE SOWELL , Kids in the Kitchen Chair
2022-2023
KIDS IN THE KITCHEN (KITK) has had yet another amazing year supporting youth across the Triad. KITK is the Junior League of Greensboro’s in-house program to teach children the importance of choosing healthy foods and lifestyle options. This fall, we partnered with the Boys and Girls Club and made snacks with more than 400 children over the course of four events. In September, we made rice cake bears with the children using rice cakes, Nutella, bananas, and blueberries. These were a hit, as were our mandarin orange cup pumpkins and apple sauce mummies in October. We finished up the year with two holi-
“The kids were ecstatic each month, and we loved seeing their creativity and imagination come to life”
day-themed snacks: in November, we used themed cookie cutters to make fun shapes out of cheese for crackers and in December, we made graham cracker reindeer with Nutella and pretzel antlers. The kids were ecstatic each month, and we loved seeing their creativity and imagination come to life during each program day.
In the spring, we hosted four KITK programs at LeBauer Park. This was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beautiful, warm weather and interact with so many people in the Greensboro community! League members stopped by with their children and families who were already playing at the park came over to join the fun. We made fruit pizzas, DIY trail mix, and more!
With that, another successful year of Kids in the Kitchen comes to a close. Our committee enjoyed coming up with snack ideas and getting out in the community to teach kids and their families that healthy eating can be both delicious and fun!
BackPack Beginnings
MEGAN LEFAIVRE AND MEREDITH HACKATHORN , BackPack Beginnings Co-Chairs 2022-2023
HISTORICALLY, the Junior League of Greensboro has been known for partnering with local nonprofits to help them start new programs or enhance those that already have good foundations. Over the years, the League has developed a collaboration routine with some of these organizations: we begin with all hands on deck, transition to supporting growth from afar for a few years, and then, when a new possibility for growth arrives, we are all hands on deck again. This is the cycle that brought us back to supporting BackPack Beginnings this year.
Thirteen years ago, Parker White started BackPack Beginnings because she wanted to help children in need in her community. She had no idea that a few boxes of food in her dining room and $8,000 from friends, family and neighbors would be the start of a multi-program organization that now serves more than 21,000 children in need and continues to grow annually. Last year, BackPack Beginnings moved to a new warehouse more than twice the size of their previous location. This new space allowed for the
creation of a Family Market, which brings the empowerment of choice to the families they serve: Guilford County families with children under the age of 18 can come once a month to gather the food and supplies that they truly need and want.
The JLG spent the year supporting one of the most in-demand categories in the Market, “Baby Basics,” which includes diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, and more. Our volunteers work in the warehouse one Saturday every month to sort and catalog baby items, and we use the Junior League funds allotted to this project to purchase items that are in high demand.
As we continue our partnership with BackPack Beginnings, we encourage you to visit the warehouse to see how one idea in a dining room became a catalyst for true change in a community. We had so much fun working on the Baby Basics program this year, and we look forward to all we will accomplish with them next year!
We <3 Trucks!
BRIDGET CROCKER AND SARA HOPKINS , Special Events Co-Chairs 2022-2023
ON OCTOBER 16, 2022, we hosted our 12th annual Touch-A-Truck event at Volvo Group North America’s campus. A beautiful fall day was the perfect backdrop for another successful event supporting our mission and bringing the Greensboro community together. Touch-A-Truck is a fun festival that provides an interactive, hands-on learning experience for families and children of all ages. The attendees have an opportunity to play games, to see and learn about all the vehicles and people that make our city great, and, most important, to have fun!
This year, we hosted more than 2,000 attendees and more than 30 different vehicles – a record breaking year!
We had several new trucks this year, including a full suite of landscape equipment, a dump truck, the Greensboro Parks & Recreation game trailer, a rideable excavator ball pit from Fun Size Equipment and many more. The truck drivers were eager to interact with everyone, and many—such as the EMS, the crane truck operator, and the Community Housing Solutions pirate—hosted interactive demonstrations throughout the day; they were a huge hit. Fan favorites, including the Volvo and Mack big-rigs, food trucks, magician, the Colgate Dental Bus, local vendors, city vehicles, also made repeat appearances. Dearly loved characters, such as Chase from Paw Patrol, Olaf, Elsa, Mirabel, and Doc McStuffins, greeted guests and were
available for neat photo-ops with the kids.
We could not do the work we do without the support of sponsors like Volvo Group North America, our community partners, our volunteers and the many others who supported this event monetarily or through active participation. Because of these efforts, the Junior League of Greensboro netted more than $22,000, surpassing our goal by more than $8,000! The funds raised go toward the mission of JLG and will allow us to support our community partners throughout the year and beyond.
Thank you to all our attendees, sponsors, volunteers, and the local Greensboro community – this event was such a success because of you. Our attendees left the 2022 Touch-A-Event smiling, happy and with a goodie bag of treats, which made this event even more worthwhile. We are already looking forward to seeing everyone again in October 2023!
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
BECCA MEAD , Executive Vice President Elect 2022-2023
THE DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING (DEIB) COMMITTEE, now in its third year, was formed to ensure that the Junior League of Greensboro is and continues to be a welcoming place for all women who support our mission. Throughout the 2022-2023 League year, we focused on listening to the voices of our current League members as we develop definitions and commitment statements that express what diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging mean to our League as well as our Greensboro community. In particular, our focus this year was on making the JLG a place where all women feel a sense of belonging.
Diversity, Inclusion and Equity are the words with which most people are familiar, but this year the JLG has focused on adding the word Belonging. A really great way to describe how DEIB works within an organization or company is this equation:
• Diversity – The presence of different and multiple characteristics that make up individual and collective identities, including race, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, socioeconomic status, language, and physical ability.
• Equity – The process of identifying and removing the barriers that create disparities in the access to resources and means, and the achievement of fair treatment and equal opportunities to thrive.
• Inclusion – Is creating environments in which any individual or group can be and feel welcomed, respected, supported and valued to participate fully.
• Belonging – A sense of being secure, recognized, affirmed, and accepted equally such that full participation is possible.
Belonging is vital in organizations because, as humans, we have a fundamental need to want to be accepted by our social peers. Belonging doesn’t just happen; it is an equation that needs to be fostered through diversity, equity and inclusion. Prioritizing belonging means everyone gets a seat at the table and feels heard, seen and recognized. As we move into the next League year, the DEIB Committee is committed to providing the resources and education necessary to ensure that the Junior League of Greensboro is a place of belonging for all women.
The Bargain Box
MARISA MUÑOZ , Bargain Box Chair 2022-2023
WHAT A YEAR at the JLG Bargain Box! We kicked it off with an amazing Fall Turnstock, raising $6,974.35! Shortly after, we welcomed Cosina Moore as our new store manager. The store has a new energy and verve, which has been noticed by our customers and members and can also be seen in our sales. This has been one of our most profitable years at the Mill Street location!
My goal for this year was to make the Bargain Box a go-to destination for our members rather than just a requirement to fulfill. I started raffling styling sessions at our General Membership Meetings to help our members find not only their personal styles, but also great deals and treasures. Each session includes a personalized shopping experience and a curated selection of items based on the shopper’s individual needs. I may have added in some extra fun things that helped them step outside their fashion comfort
“The store has a new energy and verve, which has been noticed by our customers and members and can also be seen in our sales.”
zone. I hope I have made some newly dedicated Bargain Box shoppers!
We also added special marking sessions to the roster this year in an effort to accommodate our members’ schedules. After all, coming in on Tuesday nights isn’t always feasible. We hosted a variety of these special sessions— from weekend brunches to Galentine’s to late nights—which allowed our members to fulfill their requirements, connect with other JLGers, and, of course, do a little shopping!
In November, we hosted our most successful Holiday Open House ever with a $2,432 profit. We received tons of compliments from customers, as well as promises to return and to spread the word about our amazing store and mission.
In preparation for our Annual Spring Turnstock in February, our store received some extra TLC: we painted the inside to brighten it up! We spent about 20 hours taping, prepping, moving,
covering, and painting. It was a lot of work, but it made a huge difference! Thank you to our volunteers, who pulled it all together within one week!
Many other retailers in the area, including VF Corporation, J.Jill, and BohoBlu, noticed all of our hard work and made multiple large donations in support of our partnership with the Women’s Resource Center. These donations provide more than $30,000 worth of vouchers to local women in need each year. We are excited to continue working with local businesses and providing services to our local community.
As always, thank you to all our volunteers and donors, who continue to make the Bargain Box the Junior League of Greensboro’s largest and longest ongoing fundraiser. Our biggest contributors are always our members and sustainers, who provide excellent items looking for new life. We couldn’t do it without you!
ON BEHALF OF THE 2022-2023 SIGNATURE FUNDRAISER COMMITTEE, we are pleased to share with you the resounding success of this year’s Designer Showhouse. With over one year of planning, this event featured the work of nineteen talented North Carolina designers, who transformed 902 Sunset Drive in historic Irving Park into a stunning display of creativity and style.
Each room of the house was thoughtfully curated by a different design firm, with a unique theme and aesthetic. From the chic and modern living room to the tranquil and airy daughter’s bedroom, each space had its own personality and character.
Some of the standout features of the Showhouse included the use of bold colors and patterns, the incorporation of hand painted wallpaper, and the careful attention to detail in every aspect of the design.
The Showhouse attracted a diverse crowd of design enthusiasts, industry professionals, and curious onlookers both from the Greensboro community and visitors traveling to the Triad for the High Point Furniture Market. Attendees were able to speak with the designers and learn more about their inspiration and creative process at our various events.
From self-guided tours, to parties, luncheons and a mini Leadership Summit, there
were several opportunities for guests to be immersed in the rich culture and style of the designs while also learning about and supporting the mission of the Junior League of Greensboro.
Our donor list included a wide selection of Triad businesses and community members, as well as an outstanding showing of support from our active and sustaining members. We are thrilled to use the funds raised to sustain our community impact over the next three years.
We are so grateful to our committee and Active and Sustainer volunteers, as well as our 2022-2023 Board of Directors and Executive Management Team for all of their support and the countless hours that went into making this event such a success.
Special thank you to Daniela Helms, Caroline Jones, and Beth Baker for leading the Sustainer volunteers and for spearheading the lovely onsite boutique. Their partnership with Aubrey Home not only provided a unique shopping experience for all attendees of the Showhouse, but also helped raise additional funds for the Junior League.
This fundraiser was a testament to the talent and creativity of the participating designers and the time and dedication of our wonderful members. It was truly a great success for all involved.
ReCONNECTing In Person
ISABEL ADAMS AND LIZZY TAHSUDA , CONNECTions Co-Chairs 2022-2023
AS OUR WORLD slowly progresses past the throes of COVID-19, we are all craving community. One of the pillars of the Junior League is friendship, and while virtual opportunities can be fun, nothing can beat in-person connection! We have had a blast this League year enjoying time together, meeting new friends, and reconnecting through events planned by the CONNECTions Committee.
Our goal this year was to host a variety of events that encouraged League members to bring their families, friends and sometimes even their pets! Our first event was a walk in Country Park, where we enjoyed the sunshine and the company. We then hosted a happy hour at SouthEnd Brewing, a popular downtown brewery with good beer and good vibes. We ended 2022 by gathering at the Greensboro Science Center’s Winter Wonderlights and admiring the lighted balls during a stroll in Sunset Hills.
In January, we laughed as we learned about South African wines during a wine tasting at Rioja. As the weather warmed up in the spring, we explored the great outdoors, enjoyed live music in LeBauer Park and continued to appreciate time with one another. No matter the venue or activity, we always leave with sore cheeks and warm hearts!
“No matter the venue or activity, we always leave with sore cheeks and warm hearts!”
Welcoming a New Provisional Class
LEIGH ANNE CHURCH , Membership Chair 2022-2023
THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE WAS THRILLED to welcome a diverse group of dedicated and passionate women to our League in the 2022-23 year! In both the fall and the spring, we hosted Provisional Members at the Junior League Headquarters for our “Super Saturday” Provisional Orientation. In addition to learning more about the Junior League of Greensboro, our newest members were able to hear from various League leaders about the inner workings of our organization. During our Provisional Meetings, we played JLG Trivia, enjoyed guest speakers from Special Events and DEIB, and gained insight into the Placement process. Provisional Advisors Caitlin Braxton, Heather Hazuka, Delane Mitchell and Lindsay Shaughnessy faithfully guided and supported our Provisional members throughout the year.
We have had amazing provisional meetings where the women have learned about the inner workings of our League. We are excited to watch these women grow and
continue to do great work for our League in the coming years. Welcome, ladies!
From completing Bargain Box shifts, to volunteering at Touch-A-Truck and the Designer Showhouse, to spending time together at our cheerful Holiday Social, these ladies have worked hard to learn all about the League and are already beginning to make their marks. We wrapped up the 2022-23 League year with an End-of-Year Social to celebrate both classes of newly Active Members! Our committee looks forward to watching each new Active Member grow as a leader and a volunteer in the years to come.
We are already gearing up for our Fall 2023 Provisional class! Interested women can apply at https://www.juniorleagueofgreensboro.org/join-the-jlg/. Questions? Email our Membership team at membershipjlg@gmail.com.
Thank you to everyone who has helped our Provisional Members in their journey to Active Membership!
2022-2023 Provisional Class*
Jennifer Beale
Ashlyn Bradshaw
Shaye Brockenborough
Sarah Caudle
Kathryn Corey
Mary Cunningham
Taylor Dale
Jillian Daly
Janice Davis
Ellen Devine
Houston Dixon
Jennifer Gorman
Katherine Griffith
Ashley Harris
LaSonya Holmes-Boulware
Christina Jessie
Brittany Larry
Grace Lay
Angela Liverman
Chandler McCummings
Sarah Perry
Kara Price
Kaye Putnam
Janelle Randall
Azmeena Salehani
Nina Shanahan
D’Vera Tune
Elizabeth Walsh
Felicia Winnix
Tamia Davis Wynn
*as of February 15, 2023
Women 2 Watch
SHANNON WILEY , Women to Watch Chair 2022-2023
“Leaders are not just born. Sure, some people are born with strong competencies and strengths for leading in certain situations, but it is very clear that leadership can also be developed. That means everyone can strengthen their skills and abilities to lead and influence.”
— Dr. Susan Madsen
DR. MADSEN’S WORDS sum up our Women to Watch series perfectly! This year, we set a goal to continue developing the competencies and strengths of women throughout the community. When planning our program series this year, we asked ourselves, “How do we continue to move forward in this post-pandemic time?” This question became the guiding theme of the 2022-23 Women to Watch Series, “Stepping out of The Box & Embracing the New Normal.” Facilitating this series, which was designed to support who we are as resilient women and unique leaders, has been such an exciting time.
Our first workshop, “Unpacking the Toolbox: Removing the Old & Leveraging Our Strengths,’’ forced us to think about change. Dr. Barbara Board led us in a dynamic discussion that revolved around the impact change has on us, the behaviors that help us master change, and the process of identifying our classic truths. Our second workshop focused on “Prioritizing Our Boxes: Identifying
what’s Important & Doing Something about It.” Mrs. Gillian Goodman and Dr. Dana Smith led a rich workshop on the Design Thinking Process, helping us to think deeply about defining our priorities. Dr. Chantel Simpson facilitated our third session, “Leading the Way: Reevaluating Our Leadership Style,” where we learned about leading from different perspectives and with different styles, as well as about how we can harness those differences to work more effectively with others.
For our fourth and final session, “Balancing the Box with Work & Life,” we heard from Dr. Chastity Warren, a professor of English at NC A&T University. Offering wisdom and helpful tools for creating and sustaining work-life balance, Dr. Warren’s session was the perfect way to close out the year.
We are grateful for all of the knowledge that was shared this year; we look forward to implementing what we’ve learned in our daily lives and as we move forward in the “new normal.”
Outstanding Women
Kathleen Price Bryan Award
CINDY RAMSAY
The Kathleen Price Bryan Award is given annually to an Active League Member who has demonstrated outstanding volunteerism, leadership and service to her community, both within and outside of the Junior League. The 2021-22 recipient was Cindy Ramsay.
Cindy has been a member of the Junior League of Greensboro for more than a decade. Throughout her tenure, Cindy has served in a wide variety of internal and external roles. Last year, Cindy celebrated her 10th anniversary with the JLG by taking on the role of Community Vice President.
Cindy’s volunteerism extends beyond the League: She serves on the Board of Directors at the Greensboro Science Center and as the Secretary of the Sunset Hills Neighborhood Association, and she is active in her children’s schools. Cindy’s career also demonstrates her clear dedication to education and community. A former high school teacher, Cindy is now a field instructor with Muddy Sneakers, where she takes fifth grade students into public lands to teach them about science through hands-on experiments.
Cindy performs many roles on a daily basis: she is an incredible daughter, a loving sister, a doting mother to James and Linnea and wife to Burke, an encouraging mentor and a fearless educator. The Junior League of Greensboro is lucky to count Cindy among its passionate and dedicated volunteers!
President’s Service Award
ELIZABETH ILLIG
The President’s Service Award is given each year to an Active Member in good standing for going above and beyond normal League voluntarism in her given placement or any other area of service within our League. The recipient of this award for the 2021-22 League Year was Elizabeth Illig.
In her placement as VP of Communications, Elizabeth worked tirelessly on behalf of the Junior League of Greensboro. She promoted events and initiatives, designed invitations and graphics, managed social media channels, and sent email communications to active members and sustainers. Elizabeth was proactive and reliable, never missing a deadline. She also took her dedication beyond the typical realm of Communications when she agreed to don the Olaf costume at Touch-A-Truck – a true volunteer in every sense of the word!
Beyond her ability to competently and confidently manage the League’s communications, Elizabeth’s positive attitude inspired her committee; she shined a happy light on everyone she touched this year. The leadership she exhibited is one of grace, passion, and compassion, and the Junior League of Greensboro is stronger for her dedicated service. We are so grateful to Elizabeth for her commitment to the League!
Sustainer Women of Distinction: 2020, 2021 and 2022
EACH YEAR, THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GREENSBORO AWARDS the JLG Sustainer Woman of Distinction Award to a deserving Sustainer Member who demonstrates tremendous dedication to both the JLG and the community at large. In the spring of 2022, the JLG recognized Margaret Benjamin, Cherry Callahan and Rebecca Schlosser as the Junior League Women of Distinction for 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Each of these women has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the JLG through decades of continued service and support — and has used her JLG training and skills to promote voluntarism while making a significant impact on our community.
Margaret Benjamin, the 2022 recipient, has been a member of the JLG since the early 80s. She was recognized as a Woman of Influence at the JLG Women’s Leadership Summit in 2018, was heavily involved in the 2017 Designer Showhouse and the JLG’s new headquarters,
and held placements such as the Community Research Committee. In Greensboro, Margaret is actively involved with the UNCG Board of Trustees, the Public Art Endowment at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, the Greensboro Public Library Foundation, and the Cone Health Cancer Center. She and her husband, Bill, were recognized in 2018 with the United Way of Greensboro Family Legacy Award.
Cherry Callahan, our 2021 recipient, grew up in a family committed to community service, which led her to join the JLG in 1980. Her placements in the League included the Training Committee, Planning Committee, Board of Directors, Community Vice President, and President. Outside of the League, Cherry served as Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs at UNCG until her retirement in 2017. She is currently involved with the Family Life Council, Greensboro History Museum, Greensboro Public School Fund, and more. Over her career, Cherry has been honored with several awards
MARGARET BENJAMIN
CHERRY CALLAHAN REBECCA SCHLOSSER
from UNCG, including the Professional Achievement Award. In 2017, Governor Roy Cooper awarded her the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.
Rebecca Schlosser, 2020’s recipient, has been deeply involved with both the JLG and the Greensboro community since moving here in 1983. The JLG led her to explore the nonprofits started by the League, including the Greensboro History Museum, where she volunteered and held several leadership roles. Even after becoming a Sustainer, Rebecca remained actively involved with the JLG, serving as Sustainer President in 2012. Outside the League, and in addition to her involvement at the History Museum, Rebecca’s commitment to Greensboro is wide-ranging. She has been president of the Junior Women’s Club, the Greensboro Legal Alliance, and the Guild of Family Service of Greensboro Foundation. She was a founder of the Greensboro Oyster Roast for Family Service and of Women to Women at CFGG. Rebecca was the recipient of the 2007 Julia B. Nile for Love of Family Award from Family Service and the 2021 GSG Golden Note Award.
“Each of these women has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the JLG through decades of continued service and support — and has used her JLG training and skills to promote voluntarism while making a significant impact on our community.”
All three of these incredible women were and continue to be shaped by their time volunteering with the Junior League of Greensboro. The leadership skills, community partnerships and friendships made through the JLG resulted in a lifetime commitment to community service that has made the Greensboro community stronger. We are grateful for their dedication and proud to name them Sustainer Women of Distinction. Congratulations!
2022-2023 Board of Directors
SALLY CARTWRIGHT Nominating Chair
AMY MASON Executive Vice President
NICOLE SCALLON Treasurer
SUSANNE HALL President-Elect
LEIGH ANNE BULLIN President
JILLIAN DAVIS Director
AFI JOHNSON-PARRIS Director
BRITTANY BLUE Director
MICHELE MATTHEWS Secretary
DEBBIE WEST Director
2022-2023 Management Team
MASON Executive Vice President
LIBBY SCHINNOW Fund Development Vice President
STEPHANIE BLAIR Training Vice President
MEAD Executive Vice President-Elect
JENNA BRUBAKER Community Vice President
CARMICHAELMOTLEY Nominating Chair Elect
HELMS Sustainer Co-President
CRISTY LOVE Treasurer-Elect
CORETTA WALKER Membership Vice President
Personnel Chair
JONES Sustainer Co-President
ISABEL ADAMS Communications Vice President
MUÑOZ Bargain Box Chair
KARI SMITH
KISHA
AMY
MARISA
DANIELA
CAROLINE
BECCA
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, INC.
2021-2022 Annual Report
Statements of Activities and Changes in Net Assets For the Years Ended
May 31, 2022 and 2021
■ Contributions
■ Bargain Box Sales
■ Fundraising Revenue
■ Membership Dues and Fees
■ Other
■ Bargain Box Expenses
■ Community Projects
■ Training and Education
■ Management and General
■ Other Funding Expenses
Special Thanks to Our 2022-2023 Individual Contributors*
Adair Armfield
Afi Johnson-Parris
Amanda Mazza
Annette Newingham
Allyson Boles
Ashley Powell Nosek
Ashley Ricks
Barbara and Rusty Hall
Becca and Phillip Mead
Beth and Tom Baker
Beth and Mark Skains
Beth Walsh
Beverly Brown Wright
Bonnie Bradham
Bonnie McAlister
Bridget Crocker
Brittany and Tom Blue
Caitlin Braxton
Carol S. Vercaemert
Caroline and Doug Alexander
Carolyn and Tony Liu
Catherine Henry
Catherine Hinken
Chantel Simpson
Charley Lanza
Coretta Walker
Cristy and Patrick Love
Danielle Sowell
Deborah Staton
Delane Mitchell
Ebony Williamson
Elizabeth Phipps
Elizabeth “Boo” and Mark Stauffer
Emma Millard
Evelyn W. Fisher
Garland Turner
Grace Hollifield
Grace Lay
Heather Hazuka
Houston Dixon
Isabel Adams
Jackie Pearce
Janelle Randall
Janice “Smack” Mack
Jenilee Fleetwood
Jenna and Mike Brubaker
Jennifer Every
Jessica and Andrew Ketner
Jillian Davis
Judith Mincher
Julia Brown
Julie Copeland
Julie Olin
Kari Smith
Kathleen Duckworth
Katie Elbakidze
Kaye Putnam
Kayleigh Bullard
Kelly and Jim McKee
Kenneth Page
Kisha Carmichael-Motley
Kristen Redman
LaSonya Holmes-Boulware
Lauren Bondurant
Lauren Reinking
Leigh Anne Church
Libby Schinnow
Lindsay Brock
Lindsey Russ
Lori and Kevin Redding
Marisa Munoz
Martha Newton
Mary and Art Winstead
Mary and Rodney Ingram
Megan LeFaivre
Meredith Hackathorn
Merrill and Chuck Keeley
Michele Matthews
Nancy G. Hines
Nancy Luick Bryan
Nancy Fuller
Paige Butler
Pam Sprinkle
Patricia Byrne
Sara Hopkins
Sarah and Chad Hilty
Sinead O’Doherty
Stella and Charlie Jones
Stephanie Blair
Stephanie Wilcox
Susan and Charlie Davis
Tammy Lea-Hill
Todd A. Sutton
Tori Lea-Humbler
Tory Bowers
Tuisha Stack
Tyson Strandberg
Vicki M. Vaughan
Special Thanks to Our 2022-2023 Individual Contributors at $1K or Above*
Amy and Barry Southern
Amy and Erik Mason
Angie Hager
Ann and Russ Robinson
Ashley Staton Scott
Barbara and Bob Braswell
Beth Harrington
Betsy and Mitchell Oakley
Bill and Trisha Edwards
Bob and Judy Wicker
Brittany and Kyle Midyette
Cara and Peter Derounian
Caroline and Duncan Jones
Catherine and Garson Rice
Cherry Callahan
Christon Halkiotis
Cotten and Thomas Moring
Cristal and Eric Snow
Debbie West
Dianne and Richard Shope
Dixie and Ken Culver
Ellen Devine
Emily and James Faucher
Fran Oxner
Frances Bullock
Georgette Galloway
Gillian Goodman
Griffin Family Foundation
Haynes and Ginger Griffin
Heather and Allen Oakley
Jane and Chris Trevey
Janie Burnett
Jeri K. D’Lugin
Jean and Doug Copeland
Jeanne Blaisdell, Realtor Carolina Home Partners
Jim and Sally Weeks
Kappie Yates
Kay Chesnutt
Ken and Kirt Austin
Kim and John Riley
Kim and Rick Ehrhart
Kris and David Cooke
Laura and Gary Wolf
Laura and Robert Green
Leign Anne and Stan Bullin
Lenny Peters and Diva Otalora
Leslye and Marshall Tuck
Lisa Ann Anderson
Lisa Newsome and John Chapman
Louise and Chip Bristol
Loyce Pickett
Maddie Weierbach
Maggie and Justin Napier
Margaret and Bill Benjamin
Margaret Montana and John Owen
Marian and Jim King
Mary and Mark Reynolds
Mary Lane Smith and Don Smith
Mary S. Fisher
Martha and Brad Peete
Matthew and Allison Manning
Mitzie and Joe Weatherly
Nicole Scallon and Mike Henson
Pam and Dale Finn
Pam and Dennis Stearns
Pam and John Smith
Pamela Ring
Pamela Truesdale
Patrice Hinnant
Paul and Mary Gayle Mengert
Phil and Charisse Kleinman
Phyllis and Rick Lancaster
Rebecca and Michael Schlosser
Robert and Leslie Ketner
With Gratitude to Our 2022-2023 Corporate Contributors*
ABBA Design
Alpha-Lit Triad
Arch MI
Ashley Home Furniture
Asphalt Paving Co. of Greensboro
Beaucoup Swoozies LLC
Bowden Construction Management & Electrical
Canterbury School
Cardinal Law Partners
Carley Mann - RE/MAX Realty Consultants
Carolina’s Finest Feast
CC Snow Home Inc.
Deuterman Law Group
D.H. Griffin Companies
DMJPS
DUCK Labs
Duke Energy
Epes Transport
Fiber-Seal of the Triangle & Triad
Fink’s Jewelers
First Bank
GIA Eat Drink Listen
Greensboro Center for Pediatric Dentistry
Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Services
Happy Tails Emergency Veterinarians
Havana Phil’s Cigar Company
Havana Phil’s Vodka
Helms Mortgage
Henson, Talley & Scallon LLP
IcePacc Inc.
J&L Landscapes
Kara Cox Interiors
Kendra Scott Friendly Center
Koury Corporation
Lawn Care Barber Service
Master Plumbers Heating & Cooling
Melissa Read Photography
Modern Day Hypnosis
Moe’s Dogs
Northwest Pediatrics
Olympic Products LLC
Otis & Wawa
Pinto Coates Kyre & Bowers PLLC
Pope Family Dentistry
Preferred Childcare Inc.
Principal Financial
Primrose School of Irving Park
ProCover Exteriors
Rod and Christy Speight
Sally Cartwright
Sally Cone
Sandy and Pat Vreeland
Sarah Perry and Paul Kern
Sue and Neil Lutins
Susan and Jerry Schwartz
Susanne Hall
Tamara and Jim Slaughter
Tiffany Franks
Vanessa and Nick Rodulfo
Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Pure Barre Greensboro
Reidsville Orthodontics
Romo Fabrics and Wallcoverings
Shores Fine Dry Cleaners
Stahr Custom Contracting, LLC
Taco Bros LLC
Taco Mama
Terminal Tap
The Cemala Foundation
The Colonnade at Revolution Mill
The Fresh Market
The Principal Foundation
The William A. Stern Foundation
Triad Stage
Tuggle Duggins P.A.
Tyler Redhead & McAlister, LLC
Vintage 82 Wines
Volvo Group North America
Watkins Sydnor
Weeks Hardwood Flooring, Inc.
Well-Spring Retirement Community
Wise Builders
Zuraw Financial Advisors
*Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of this information. Any errors or omissions were not intentional. Individual and corporate contributors reflect contributions made as of April 1, 2023.
