LeagueLines
The Newsletter of The Junior League of Austin September/October 2013
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT PLANTING SEEDS OF IMPACT 80 YEARS OF COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
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By Kelly Breeden, The Junior League of Austin President or some, heritage may be a cherished family heirloom, place or tradition. For others, it is the character, love and beliefs that come from those who came before us. My family is blessed to enjoy the rich heritage of my grandmother, Julia Sperry, alive in each of us. So rich was her love and commitment to her family and those around her that we all strive to honor her in the way we live our lives each day. In fact, my mother and sister are named Julia and Sperry, respectively, and my husband and I named our firstborn daughter Julia Sperry in her honor. The original Julia Sperry set a powerful example of the type of woman we aspire to be and the difference we can make in the world. We all want to make her proud of how we carry forward with the legacy she gave us. As The Junior League of Austin enters its 80th year, we celebrate the heritage that has been given to us by our League family. Our sisters who came before us not only worked hard to create a legacy for themselves, but also one that could be carried forward with pride by future generations. Our heritage proves that we are strong women who build strong communities. Our heritage shows that we have broken barriers for women and for the community we are so privileged to serve. It shows that we learn from the women who have come before us and are laying the foundations for the women who will lead us in the future. This year, we will reflect on the many ways that we have made an impact on the community we serve and on the members that make The Junior League of Austin our family. We will celebrate the ways that being part of this family and its rich history have afforded us opportunities that we wouldn’t have outside of these experiences. We will give thanks for our history of training, mentorship and service that has enabled us to be the community leaders that our city cherishes. Eighty years of community leadership is important not only to our own Junior
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League family, but also to our community that we love and serve. Additionally, we will look to the future for ways to make an even bigger impact on our community and the lives of the women who set the standard for what “making a difference” truly means. Thank you for helping us celebrate our legacy while we make plans for the exciting years ahead. You are the reason our sister members have worked to create a name for The Junior League of Austin over the past 80 years. Through your talent and dedication, we will be the women who honor this gift while creating an even better future for our members and the community that we call home. - Kelly Breeden