Lagniappe Winter 2021

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

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Contents 3 Letters from the President and Editor 4 Connecting Charitable Organizations with Those in Need

Winter 2021 LAGNIAPPE STAFF Editor: Shanelle Joseph

6 Human Trafficking

Assistant Editor: Michelle Michler

8 Heritage

Photo Editor: Katherine Crawford Andrews Writers: Melissa Kenyon, Michelle Michler, Caroline Young

On the Cover

JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Shannon Brice President Elect: Holly Paczak Secretary: Elizabeth Hubbard Treasurer: Nene Gianfala Assistant Treasurer: Nancy Kirkeby Business Council Director: Emily Liuzza Communications Council Director: Ashley Millet Community Council Director: Alyse Mouledoux Membership Council Director: Kimberly Allen

Heidi Haynes (member, Nashville Diaper Connection), Shannon Brice (2021-2022 JLNO President), and Brandi Jack (member, Nashville Diaper Connection).

Planning & Development Council Director: Ashley Llewellyn Ways & Means Council Director: Susan Kliebert Nominating Committee Chair: Ty Salvant Sustaining Advisor to the Board: Katherine Raymond, PhD

PUBLISHER STAFF

HOLIDAY SOCIAL AND SHOPPING EVENT Tuesday, December 7, 2021 Location: TBD

Editor: Topher Danial Art Director: Ali Sullivan Production Designers: Rosa Balaguer, Meghan Rooney Chief Executive Officer: Todd Matherne Sales Account Executive: Meghan Sumrall

Meghan@myneworleans.com

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JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

Letter from the President

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s we enter this holiday season, it is a perfect time to reflect on all that we have to be grateful for.

From the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation to parts of Louisiana due to Hurricane Ida, we’ve experienced some of the most challenging times of our lives.

But we are resilient. Resilient in our community and resilient in our families. Let’s take time over the Holidays to be intentional in showing up for one another. Holidays can be a stressful time for some, so check in on your neighbors, friends and family. A simple kind gesture can go a long way in making someone’s day.

We are at the halfway mark of the 2021-2022 League year. And in the spirit of being intentional to our community, I must take this time to thank the members of JLNO for showing up continuously to assist our community. In supporting efforts for disaster relief and providing volunteer hours to many community partner organizations, JLNO members always show up, and I am thankful to each and everyone of you. I am also grateful for all our community partners near and far who show up to collaborate with us.

It is because of all of you that we will continue to build a strong community.

Happy Holidays,

Photo by: Jessica Bachmann

Shannon Brice, 2021-2022 President

Letter from the Editor

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ragedy, natural disasters and calamity in other forms have always underscored the fragility of mankind. During such times, we think of our loved ones and wonder “What if…?” Who champions for the lesser informed or those without resources to support and advocate for themselves? Volunteers and special advocates who commit to being of service to others make the difference in the lives of those persons who may otherwise suffer tragedy unassisted.

There is no greater gift than love. Rather than a celebration of the holiday season, this issue of Lagniappe celebrates the spirit of humanity. Here at Junior League New Orleans, we honor those people who open their hearts to the virtue of giving.

When Hurricane Ida ravished the Gulf Coast, Nashville Diaper Connection generously extended support in the donation and delivery of over 40,000 diapers to families in need. Organized by past Junior League of New Orleans president, Erin Bell, the diaper drive was a success! Lagniappe writer and assistant editor, Michelle Michler, provides details and interviews discussing this impassioned act of kindness.

A global issue, human trafficking exploits tens of thousands of vulnerable children and adults each year, and the frequency of occurrences has continued to intensify in recent years. Louisiana’s Department of Children and Family Services reports that 58.6% of victims in this state are children aged 17 and under (dcfs.louisiana.gov). Three years ago, JLNO established a local extension of Junior League International’s Abolish movement. Founded by the Junior League of Tampa, Abolish is an effort which aims to raise public awareness and end the heinous act of human trafficking. Our league works fervently year-round to do its part in ending this terrible and inhumane crime. Volunteer Lagniappe contributor and JLNO member, Melissa Kenyon, discusses how Abolish has partnered with local social services organizations in the movement to decimate human trafficking.

There is no better theme for the Winter 2021 issue of Lagniappe magazine than this: Humanity is strengthened by the kindness of strangers.

Best,

Shanelle Joseph, 2021-2022 Lagniappe Editor

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

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Connecting Charitable Organizations with Those in Need

by Michelle Michler

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he resiliency of Southeast Louisiana was put to the test again this summer as the second-most damaging and intense hurricane to make landfall in Louisiana came ashore near Port Fourchon on August 29, 2021. Hurricane Ida left many Louisianians homeless and without the means to meet their basic needs, including the need for diapers. Diaper need is a cause that is near and dear to the heart of the Junior League of New Orleans, and in the aftermath of a disaster, JLNO is uniquely prepared to help meet that need. Through its Diaper Bank in Elmwood, The Junior League of New Orleans has provided over one million diapers to women and families throughout the metropolitan New Orleans area over the past two years.

In the wake of Hurricane Ida, many people across the country were eager to help those affected in Southeast Louisiana but were unsure of the most effective way to make a difference. Heidi Hayne, Program Coordinator for the Nashville Diaper Connection (“NashDiaper”), is one of those people. Heidi is a native New Orleanian who is now living in Nashville and was feeling helpless as she watched her hometown begin the recovery process after the storm. Through the National Diaper Bank Network, she discovered the JLNO Diaper Bank and decided that connecting with JLNO would be “the best approach to get the most diapers to those in need”.

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JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

Charmaine Caccioppi, COO and Executive Vice President and Aaron Bryan (United Way of Southeast Louisiana.

Heidi has a personal connection to JLNO as she is a native New Orleanian who currently resides in Nashville. Her family's friend and past Junior League of New Orleans President Erin Luetkemeier was able to connect Heidi and NashDiaper with the JLNO Diaper Bank. The two organizations began working together to get diapers from the NashDiaper warehouse in Nashville to the victims of Hurricane Ida in New Orleans and surrounding areas.

Heidi enlisted the help of Brandi Jack, Operations Coordinator for NashDiaper, and together they loaded 31,525 diapers into the NashDiaper van and headed down to New Orleans to participate in the JLNO Hurricane Ida Disaster Diaper Drive, which was held at the JLNO Diaper Bank in Elmwood on September 13,

Vivian Hayne (member, Nashville Diaper Connection), Shannon Brice (20212022 JLNO President), Heidi Hayne (member, Nashville Diaper Connection), Kristen Brooks (Membership & Operations Manager), and Brandi Jack (member, Nashville Diaper Connection).

2021. Being able to make a difference to those affected by this natural disaster meant a lot to Heidi. “I was really excited to bring the two worlds together,” she said.

Among the Junior League members volunteering at the Disaster Diaper Drive that day was Junior League of New Orleans President Shannon Brice. Shannon was thrilled for JLNO to be part of an event which would have such a huge impact in the community.

“I was overwhelmingly grateful to Nashville Diaper Connection for their generous donation” she said. “We were able to help so many families in the New Orleans and River Parish areas due to their generosity. It also shows the impact the JLNO is making in the community for an organization such as NDC to reach out and want to help Louisiana families through the JLNO Diaper Bank.

We are committed to making a difference.”

When asked what JLNO can do to connect other charitable organizations with those in need in our area, Shannon said, “It starts with a conversation. Fostering relationships with mission

aligned organizations and promoting a community work environment.”

Also volunteering at the Disaster Diaper Drive was JLNO member and Lagniappe magazine Editor, Shanelle Joseph.

Shanelle also expressed her gratitude to NashDiaper.

“Having witnessed firsthand that there are still great people who are genuinely concerned with the well-being and safety of strangers reminded me of my purpose and personal commitment to voluntarism,” she said. “The thought of parents feeling helpless as they struggle to provide for their children breaks my heart. I am grateful to JLNO and the Nashville Diaper Connection for providing me with the opportunity to be of service to those in need.”

Shanelle believes that articles like this (and readers like you) are great resources at the disposal of JLNO for connecting charitable organizations like NashDiaper with those in need.

“As Junior League of New Orleans’ 2021-2022 Lagniappe Editor, I am pleased to report that JLNO announces its diaper drive within Lagniappe’s quarterly bulletin board,” she said. “Lagniappe is delivered to over 5,000 homes and businesses in the Greater New Orleans and surrounding areas.

Interested (and potentially interested) persons are provided with awareness of League events such as holiday socials, retail markets, membership opportunities and most important – our humanitarian efforts such as the diaper drive. While JLNO receives generous donations of diapers throughout the year, we always welcome new donors as well as volunteers to assist with sorting donated diapers. Our community council and board of directors are staffed with League members who have made tremendous strides with connecting JLNO to other charitable organizations."

NashDiaper was not the only other charitable organization with whom JLNO partnered for the Disaster Diaper Drive.

Prior to the delivery of diapers by NashDiaper, Charmaine Caccioppi, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of the United Way of Southeast Louisiana, visited the JLNO Diaper Bank to pick up diapers and deliver them to the City of Love Church in Holly Grove. This is a great example of several organizations working together to get necessities like diapers from generous donors to communities in need.

Since its inception, JLNO has been committed to making a difference through voluntarism and community improvement.

That commitment is never more evident than in times of crisis.

The Junior League of New Orleans is a valuable resource for organizations like NashDiaper who are seeking avenues to get their donations to the people who need them most, as well as organizations like United Way of Southeast Louisiana who are seeking donations to bring to those in need. •

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

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Human Trafficking A Taboo Topic No More. Let’s Talk About It.

by Melissa Kenyon

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uman trafficking is considered a taboo topic—avoided not only because it makes us uncomfortable, but because the act of discussing the subject forces us to admit that it is real and happening right here in our own community. Junior League

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of New Orleans’ ABOLISH Human Trafficking Committee seeks to illuminate the problem and uplift the vital prevention and response work being done by local professionals such as Jennifer Ray, Coordinator for the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force.

Jennifer Ray, Coordinator for the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force

For those new to the subject of human trafficking, Jennifer refers to the Action-Means-Purpose (A-M-P) Model, which explains that human trafficking occurs when a perpetrator induces, recruits, harbors, transports, provides or obtains an individual through the means of force, fraud or coercion for the purpose of commercial sex or labor services.

“Traffickers deceive individuals who are poor, vulnerable and generally existing in an unstable environment, offering them false promises of love, a good job or a better life,” explains Jennifer. “They lure or force their victims into situations where they are made to work under deplorable conditions with little or no pay.”

Due to its coercive nature, it is difficult to pinpoint the reach of human trafficking. What we do know is that in 2019, the National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 11,500 cases in the U.S. By the end of 2020, 28 agencies in Louisiana provided data on clients served, confirming 759 prospective victims—a 18 percent decrease in victims identified in the previous year. Of the 530 juveniles and 198 adults reported,

94 percent were sexual trafficking victims, seven were victims of labor trafficking and nine were victims of both. For comparison, in 2020, the Greater New Orleans Task Force, Covenant House New Orleans, New Orleans Family Justice Center, Jewish Family Services of the Greater New Orleans and Eden House of New Orleans provided services to 227 clients.

“During the COVID-19 crisis, the lack of consistent and reliable data impacted service efforts and overall reporting of human trafficking in our country,” says Jennifer. “Without sufficient data, we cannot establish concrete trends, nor understand how victims are being affected. Survivors have given us some perspective through their shared experiences of increased isolation, job loss and financial instabilities—all threatening their individual safety and security.”

Becoming informed citizens is a necessary step towards eliminating human trafficking, and avoidance only perpetuates the problem. Jennifer Ray and ABOLISH invite the community to join the conversation in January, which is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Visit www.jlno.org/ ABOLISH to register for free programming hosted by the Junior League of New Orleans. More information about the work being done by the Greater New Orleans Human Trafficking Task Force can be found at www.nolatrafficking.org. •

"Stopping Traffic" Talk Wednesday, December 15, 2021 6 –7pm, JLNO Headquarters The community is invited to join Junior League of New Orleans in watching and discussing, “Stopping Traffic,” an inspiring documentary featuring heroes of the anti-sex-trafficking movement and bringing light to their efforts to raise awareness and provide solutions. Registrants should watch the film for free through Pluto TV or another online streaming service prior to the talk on Dec. 15. Participating in the online talk is Eden House founder and CEO, Kara Van de Carr, and moderator, Susan Dold, Systems Administrator for Truckers Against Trafficking.

Additional speakers to be announced.

If you or someone you know is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline. 1(888)373-7888

JLNO Lagniappe Winter 2021 | jlno.org

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Héritage Junior League New Orleans’ 1935 Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball

by Caroline Young

“Plans are well under way for the Junior League’s masquerade ball on Friday evening, March 1, which will be one of the gayest features of the Carnival and one which will be attended by numbers of fashionables of all ages.”

With publicity like that, who wouldn’t want to attend 1935’s social event of the Mardi Gras season?

The goal of the League’s masquerade ball was to provide outof-town guests an opportunity to see a carnival ball in action, and the ladies made sure this event did not disappoint. All publicity touted the glitz and glamour of the ball, which included “the who’s who and what not of N’Awlins.” Famed singer Bing Crosby was even rumored to have a ticket!

As New Orleanians knew, “attendance by invitation is one of the strictest rules” of any Mardi Gras ball, but the Junior League was determined to make their masquerade accessible to those who were not privy to the revelry of New Orleans organizations. Tickets were sold for $2, $3, or $5; five dollars would secure a reserved table seat. Costumes from various local groups were for sale at the Masquerade Costume Shop of the Junior League, as members hoped that those who would attend would be able to have the full Mardi Gras experience and appear in their own lavish ensembles.

In keeping with the mission of all Junior League endeavors, proceeds from the ball would go to support the many charities of the League; one such charity was the Community Center of the League, which was located on Bourbon Street. The ball itself was held at the Municipal Auditorium, and it lasted well past midnight as the Harry Sosnik Orchestra and famed Broadway actress and singer Helen Morgan entertained the crowd. Miss Elizabeth Eustis reigned as queen, and Miss Virginia Logan and Miss Jane Louise Grunewald served as her maids. Their costumes were quite elegant, and visiting royalty from other well-known New Orleans courts were presented to the queen. They all participated in the grand march, which was followed with dancing until dawn.

Society papers called the ball “brilliant,” and noted that it was “like a vast night club” attended by many visiting revelers who appeared in costume. Surely the guests at the ball were impressed with the colorful finery and entertainment of the evening!

Sadly, “the League spent so much money on its ball that it netted no great sum,” but it is certain that this event was one for the books, as “the important thing about the League’s first ball was that all who subscribed and attended were impressed with its beauty and its dignity. It was a real success.” •

LEFT: A publicity photo of Elizabeth Eustis in full regalia.

ABOVE: A lively shot of the ball!

RIGHT: Queen Elizabeth Eustice and King Adair Watters during the Grand March.

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