Capitalines Spring 2020 Issue

CAPITALINES Spring 2020 | www.jlaustin.org

A PUBLICATION BY THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN

WOMEN'S STORYBOOK PROJECT

of Texas

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Capitalines Through the Years

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CONTENTS IN THIS ISSUE League news and updates, our impact, 2020 Austin Entertains and more

CONNECT 6 Letter From the Editor

13

18

10 Letter From the President Elect

IMPACT Development Institute (ODI) By: Danielle Lobsinger

34 Capitalines: Through the Years

Celebrating the History and Evolution From a Small Newsletter in 1934 to the Professional Quality Magazine it is Today.

By: Jennifer Angenend McKeon

15

20 Financial Impact Report By: Stefanie Bertram

LEGACY

22 Community Impact Report By: Haley Gardiner

18 Remembering Doris

20 The Junior League of

Austin Projects & Community Advisors

28 The League Cares (TLC)

By: Jennifer Angenend McKeon

30 Austin Entertains Fellowship Grant

32 A Night at Austin Entertains

13 Organizational

Women’s Storybook Project By: Paige Richards

FEATURES Supporting Entrepreneurs and Innovative Women at our Headquarters.

By: Danielle Lobsinger

12 Letter From the President-

15 Community Partners: The

SPRING 2020

By: Jennifer Angenend McKeon

26 Beyond Active

34

30

Membership By: Jennifer Angenend McKeon

40 Letter From the Sustaining President By: Casie Wenmohs

41 Past Presidents 46 Volunteer Extraordinaire By: Laura Lee Daigle

GIVING IN EVERY ISSUE 6 Letter From the Editor 8 Board of Directors & Masthead 10 Letter From the President 41 Past Presidents

4 The Junior League of Austin

44 Sponsors & Donors

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CONNECT LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

My year serving as 2019-2020 Capitalines Editor feels like a full circle. I made my first “appearance” in Capitalines in the Spring 1991 issue from 1990s A Christmas Affair. I was four years old then and at the time Palmer Events Center was “the round building with the green roof”. Fast forward nearly 30 years, I’m a proud member of The Junior League of Austin where volunteering has brought me outside of myself. This year has been an incredible journey, with personal growth and increased knowledge as I took on my first in-league leadership role. Thank you for your continued support of the volunteers who create Capitalines. By reading Capitalines, you support The Junior League of Austin (JLA) and are helping the Austin community.

In the Spring 2020 issue of Capitalines, many of our articles focus on the topic of change. Change can be stepping out of your comfort zone or adjusting to our growing city and skyline. Change is something I can personally relate to as this year’s Editor. While I have a background in journalism, I never quite appreciated what it takes to pull together a full-print publication until working to create Capitalines. I am extremely grateful for the JLA’s rapid training in printing, editing, advertising, as well as the unity of a team that understands that “we win together, we lose together”. Unity has been rewarding in the sense that each member on this committee has established their own new skill sets while creating bonds with each other. You learn a lot from one another in such a short period of time and rely heavily on each other to pull this publication together.

Photos by: Cat Mattingly Photography

"I am extremely grateful for the JLA’s rapid training in printing, editing, advertising and the unity of a team that understands “we win together, we lose together”.

Speaking of change, our feature article Capitalines: Through the Years on page 34 shows how Capitalines has experienced its fair share of name changes - 10 to be exact - before becoming Capitalines. Researching and collecting facts and photos from archives has been an enjoyable experience for this year's committee. In our research, we discovered that past committees created witty songs about the difficulties of publishing content and humorous pictures of JLA members’ heads pasted onto cartoon bodies. Year after year, change is something the Capitalines committee has never been afraid of and this publication has certainly faced its own evolution.

One of JLA’s newest community partners, the Women’s Storybook Project, allows children to connect with their incarcerated mothers through literature. Children are able to listen to their mother’s voices and follow along the story with their book. You can read more about this remarkable program on page 15.

As we wrap up our spring year, the world has been challenged with a pandemic that has altered how we live our lives. Many members are now working from home and practicing social distancing, while trying to remain close to their loved ones. The title of our fall issue was The Strength of Women and the women of JLA know how to manage through difficult times. I’d like to thank the 2019-2020 Capitalines committee for putting in more hours than they ever anticipated and JLA members who contributed content this League year. We moved into a new headquarters, are the first Capitalines committee to utilize the Publications room at the Community Impact Center and our Advertising Team made record-breaking sales!

Thank you!

Sheridan Butler Binford Capitalines Editor 2019-2020

6 The Junior League of Austin

2019-2020 Capitalines Committee

S

INSTRUCTIONS:

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D e h t e v a Half Page Ad a

2. Right click the page in the “Pages” panel then click “Override all Master Page Items: 3. Delete this Text Box

4. Select the Frame, then click “File > Place.” Select the ad and it will paste into the frame.

Felicidad

A C H R I ST M A S A F FA I R 2 02 0

PRESENTED BY THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN

Sharing happiness with Austin for 45 years

Half Page Ad

INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Apply master to page 2. Right click the page in the “Pages” panel then click “Override all Master Page Items:

NOVEMBER 18-22, 2020 3. Delete this Text Box

PALMER E VE N TS C E N T E R 4. Select the Frame, then click “File > Place.” Select the ad and it will paste into the frame.

LEADERSHIP 2019-2020

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CAPITALINES EDITORIAL Editor Sheridan Butler Binford Editor-Elect Rekha Roarty Editorial Director Jennifer Angenend McKeon Design Director Stacy Reed Ad Sales Director Victoria Huffines Bohn Photography Director Mildred Hammond Sustaining Advisor Gay Puckett

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Danielle Lobsinger and Paige Richards

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNERS Laurie Ebers and Megan Nyitray

AD SALES ASSISTANTS Ana Willingham and Melissa Tait Photo by: Cat Mattingly Photography

The Junior League of Austin Board of Directors inside the Community Impact Center’s lobby.

To advertise in the fall issue of Capitalines please email capitalines_adsales@jlaustin.org.

PRESIDENT Carrie Semple PRESIDENT-ELECT Lyndsey Crawford TREASURER Michelle Lupton RECORDING SECRETARY Laura Lee Daigle COMMUNITY VP Haley Gardiner ADMINISTRATIVE VP Claudia Legarreta COMMUNICATIONS VP Dionne Barner FUND DEVELOPMENT VP Stefanie Bertram MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT VP Nicole Elliott MEMBER-AT-LARGE Deanna Manford-Schobey MEMBER-AT-LARGE Yvette Ruiz Krumhansl SUSTAINING PRESIDENT Casie Wenmohs BYLAWS Jennifer Kalinowski TREASURER-ELECT Abby Raines NOMINATING CHAIR Laura Robinson STRATEGIC PLANNING CHAIR Earind Carter TECHNOLOGY CHAIR Kristen Reynolds ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT Jolie Cypert

8 The Junior League of Austin

OUR MISSION The Junior League of Austin is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

CONNECT

Welcome to the Spring Issue of Capitalines. It has truly been an extraordinary year as judged by our accomplishments as well as the challenges we have faced and overcome.

LETTER FROM THE

As we wrap up this League year, I look back and see so much to be grateful for, including all the opportunities I have had to be challenged and to grow.

First, this year saw the roll out of our new membership initiative – The League Cares (TLC). This committee has been a dream of mine for several years – ever since Stephanie Potter brought up the idea in a Placement Committee meeting back in 2014. The League Cares seeks to be a resource for members – to celebrate personal achievements, as well as to provide support during times of struggle. We also used TLC this year to raise funds to support our beloved employee, Doris Nanez, during her final fight with cancer.

PRESIDENT

I am grateful for an extremely successful A Christmas Affair fundraiser. The A Christmas Affair Committee took calculated risks this year - and they paid off! This was the first year for food trucks instead of a tea room and for a more shopping centric preview party – which was praised by attendees and merchants alike.

As you all know, Coats for Kids follows quickly after A Christmas Affair. This year, through placing an emphasis on direct service to schools who had the greatest number of disadvantaged children, the Coats for Kids Committee was able to ensure that six schools plus the Austin Area Urban League received a full allotment of coats for their entire student body, a new model that we hope means more kids who need coats will receive coats each winter.

Photo by: Cat Mattingly Photography

"I am proud the League was able to respond to this unprecedented disruption to the greater Austin community by adapting our funding model to be more flexible so that we could support our community partners during this time of greatest need."

10 The Junior League of Austin

After years of saying “just wait until we can host Austin Entertains at our own building”, we were finally able to do just that this February. Our most successful Austin Entertains to date, the event took place on February 27th at the Community Impact Center and raised a record amount of funds in the history of this fundraiser. We also awarded the inaugural Austin Entertains Fellowship to Krystal Craig of Intero. The fellowship awards grant money as well as in-kind services provided by League members to a winner.

Despite an extremely successful fall and winter, the Junior League year was greatly impacted by the COVID-19 virus that saw our Austin community experience school and business closures as well as a mandate to shelter-inplace. During this time, I am proud the League was able to respond to this unprecedented disruption to the greater Austin community by adapting our funding model to be more flexible so that we could continue to support our community partners during this time of greatest need. Additionally, we remained committed to supporting families in the Del Valle Independent School District through our Food in Tummies program – continuing to provide much needed food as well as supplies during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also responded internally to the crisis by creating a Dues Assistance Fund, with the hopes of offsetting dues through waivers granted to members who were financially impacted by the pandemic.

Of course, all of this happened just as we were settling into our new headquarters – the Community Impact Center. As we celebrated its opening last October, who could have guessed what was to come? However, as Junior League of Austin members, we are taught that true personal growth only comes through challenge. As we have faced adversity this spring, I have marveled at how our members have come together to support each other during this crisis and to support our community.

As a whole, the 2019-2020 League year will be remembered as a year when we had extremely high highs and also some low lows. But as leaders The Junior League will continue to lead on and I am confident that the brightest days of our organization are ahead of us. I cannot wait to see what we accomplish in 2020-2021.

Carrie Semple President, 2019-2020 The Junior League of Austin

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CONNECT LETTER FROM THE

PRESIDENT-ELECT

The past 12 months have seen great change for The Junior League of Austin (JLA).

In August, we packed up multiple boxes and countless memories, left our home of 37 years and moved into our new headquarters -- the Community Impact Center (CIC). As is anticipated when one moves, we’ve had to adjust to new realities and expectations: new processes and security systems, new financial obligations and old JLA traditions having to “fit” into new spaces. In October, we opened our doors and welcomed our first guests into the CIC. Our newest endeavor brought with it many changes to how we work day-to-day, how to plan for our future and gave us the opportunity to live out our mission of training, development and improvement.

Change can be difficult and scary. It can challenge you in ways you never anticipated and shake the ground you stand on. When faced with such change, it is essential to have a strong foundation. This year, our President Carrie Semple was this strong foundation. Carrie took her time and made thoughtful decisions, always putting the best interest of the League first.

No matter the situation, Carrie served the League with strength and dedication, consistently putting her head and her heart into every decision.

When everything felt unfamiliar and on days our hearts were heavy she was calm, organized and kept us all moving forward. With her leadership we stood strong and continued to raise money for the mission, to develop and train our members and to improve the community around us.

Photo by: Cat Mattingly Photography

"We are all facing this uncharted territory together; you are not alone."

As we look ahead to 2020-2021, we are faced with new challenges. With the COVID-19 global pandemic, the transition into the new League year is presenting itself in new ways. For many of us, we seek comfort in our schedules and plans. When the familiarity of our plans and processes are disrupted, we can feel anxious and afraid. These feelings are normal, but know we are all facing this uncharted territory together; you are not alone.

The League’s support of the community is more important now than ever.

As new challenges arrive we will continue to be flexible and creative when finding ways to serve our community and each other.

Though our meetings may move to a virtual platform and our transitions may take place over the phone, The Junior League of Austin will remain strong and continue to get the essential work done.

We will continue to build on the vision of our Community Impact Center.

We have only brushed the surface of what this building will mean for our members and our community. We will continue to find ways to be intentional about our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion. Diversity and Inclusion is not a box to be checked, but something to plant deep into our league culture, in our daily processes and who we strive to be in the future.

Every woman has value and we will work to develop and empower not only our members but all women in our community.

2019-2020 was a transformative year for The Junior League of Austin.

Each of us should be proud of what we have accomplished, the strength with which we managed change and the work we are set up to do in the future. Thank you to Carrie Semple for her leadership, strength and heart.

It is due to her leadership and the dedication of our members that we are stronger than ever and will be able to face whatever comes our way. I truly believe the best growth comes during times of struggle. These coming days of uncertainty will only prove to make a stronger JLA community and better prepare us to enact positive change. I look forward to being your President in 2020-2021 and to facing these moments together.

We Got This!

Lyndsey Crawford President-Elect 2019-2020 12 The Junior League of Austin

IMPACT

Organizational Development Institute (ODI)

What is ODI and how can it Help you Lead?

League Members from Coast to Coast Gather Together to Lead Forward.

By: Danielle Lobsinger

JLA members Amanda Prater, Jennifer Holt, Zenette Dorsey and Haley Gardiner gather together at ODI.

T

wo to three times a year, members from Junior Leagues across the nation gather together to develop and enhance their leadership skills in areas that are critical to the healthy functioning of a League.

These leadership development meetings are known as the Organizational Development Institute (ODI). ODI is hosted by the Association of Junior Leagues International.

This past October, four ladies in a variety of leadership roles from The Junior League of Austin (JLA) traveled to Grapevine, Texas for ODI, which consisted of three days of speakers, breakout training and innovative thinking.

With sessions such as “Advancing Diversity and Inclusion: A Blueprint for Stronger Junior Leagues” to “Membership Development: Creating Tomorrow’s Community Leaders”, there is an opportunity to learn and grow leadership skills, for life both in and out of the League.

Page Sponsored By: Victoria & Ryan Bohn

Haley Gardiner, JLA Community Vice-President, was one of this year’s attendees. “It was exciting to hear other League’s perspectives and how they approach governance and strategic planning. I’m a planner and love learning more,” said Gardiner. One key focus of ODI is an emphasis on leading the League to be more diverse and inclusive.

Zenette Dorsey, Admissions Liaison and ODI attendee, said it best: “Diversity and Inclusion is paramount to the survival of the League. Each and every one of us has a responsibility to ensure we are equitable and inclusive in everything we do within the League, from admissions to nominating.” Through the close of the weekend, after a tremendous amount of networking, JLA ODI attendees learned many things. One piece of advice stuck out: to speak up and to lead. “This training instilled in me the courage to speak up and use the knowledge I learned to help others,” said Dorsey.

"It was exciting to hear other League’s perspectives and how they approach governance and strategic planning.

I’m a planner and love learning more.”

Haley Gardiner, JLA Community VicePresident

ODI is an amazing opportunity for JLA members looking to take on a leadership role within the League. For more information, please email placement@jlaustin.org.

The Junior League of Austin 13

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IMPACT

Community Partners

Helping Children Make Connections Through Literature Women's Storybook Project Allows Children to Make Connections With Their Incarcerated Mothers Through Literature.

By: Paige Richards

M

Photography By: Sun Connor

any children don’t enjoy their nightly bedtime routine. They fuss about having to take a bath, can’t stand the idea of brushing their teeth, don’t like the pajamas that were picked out and aren’t ready to slow down. However, when asked to choose a bedtime story, their attitudes quickly change. With the overhead lights turned off and the bedside lamp flipped on, their anticipation of a bedtime story comes to life.

They divert their eyes to the pages in front of them as the parent reads, forming a strong parent-child bond.

The bedtime routine mentioned above isn’t the same experience for all children. What about the children whose parents are incarcerated? Will they be able to form any sort of relationship with their mother? When will they be able to see her next or simply hear her voice? All of these questions sparked an idea for Austinite Judith Dullnig.

"It is through this organization that these mothers can maintain a close connection to their child. For the children, the organization provides comfort in hearing their mother’s voice while reading along in the book."

Paige Richards, JLA Active Member Page Sponsored By: No Owwiebooboo Children's Apparel

Participating incarcerated mothers pose for a photo showing their completion certificate of the program after four sessions.

In 2003, Dullnig began a program that would allow incarcerated mothers to build a relationship with their children through literature. She named it the Women’s Storybook Project (WSP). Dullnig believed this program was crucial. She believed the relationship between mother and child was not only important, but vitally necessary in every child’s life. WSP allows incarcerated mothers the opportunity to connect through a storybook to their children. Sun Connor, the Women’s Storybook Project’s Operations Manager and an Active member of The Junior League of Austin (JLA), is passionate about her work.

The Junior League of Austin 15

their mother’s voice while reading along in the book. JLA volunteer Johnson depicts the sole purpose of WSP by saying “a mother told me she hasn't seen her children in two years and the first time she heard from them was because they received their books!” This organization helps the bond of mother and child to strengthen, despite difficult circumstances. The organization has vastly grown since its founding in 2003. WSP has gone from being run out of Dullnig’s home and car to having an actual office on Bee Caves Road. It has gone from serving a single prison to serving ten prisons across Texas. Over the years, more than 200 volunteers have been recruited to serve WSP. It is clear the organization has changed the lives of many individuals, whether they be volunteers, mothers or children.

A mother prepares her child’s package that will then be placed in the mail for delivery.

Connor was first introduced to Dullnig back in 2006, where she was handed a letter that was sent by a child which “touched her heart”. Connor believes “WSP not only builds a connection between mother and child, but it gives hope and upliftment to the caregivers, volunteers and everyone involved."

The Women’s Storybook Project became a placement for Active JLA Members to participate in the 2019-2020 League year. Like JLA, the project is run by volunteers.

Two Saturdays a month, volunteers drive to an assigned Texas prison with supplies ready to capture a mother’s voice for her child. Women pre-selected by the prison are allowed the opportunity to participate. Each mother gets to select a book donated by members of the community for their child. With the help of a Women’s Storybook Project volunteer, the women record themselves reading their chosen story and write a personal note in the book to their child. The volunteers then ensure the book and recording are sent to the child. Women’s Storybook Project’s JLA volunteer Meredith Johnson said, “These women are so grateful for WSP and are beyond appreciative. It was clear that they expect to be judged and have a sense of shame. However, the way they light up when talking about their little ones is heartfelt and honest.” JLA prides itself in making sure that each woman feels appreciated, included and worthy of being able to participate and communicate to their children through this organization.

Thanks to the Women’s Storybook Project, the nightly bedtime routine can begin for children whose mothers are incarcerated away from home. They take a bath, brush their teeth, put on their pajamas, turn off the lights, flip on the bedside lamp, open the book, play the recording and listen as their mother reads them a story.

Women’s Storybook Project receives thank-you notes from participating mothers to show their appreciation for the organization.

It is through this organization that these mothers can maintain a close connection to their child. For the children, the organization provides comfort in hearing

16 The Junior League of Austin

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LEGACY

Remembering Doris

Remembering Doris

D

By: Jennifer Angenend McKeon

oris has been at the heart of The Junior League of Austin (JLA) since 2001. For many members and staff, she has been an integral and consistent part of their League experience throughout their tenure an invaluable resource, kind face and calming presence. The JLA celebrated Doris’ important legacy by naming the CIC kitchen in her honor at a ceremony this past December. There are so many fond memories of Doris that it would be impossible to capture them all. Please enjoy a few memories of this truly dynamic, strong woman we were all privileged to know. She is truly missed.

Christina McCranie (JLA Finance Manager): “For 10 years, Doris was the first person I would see and talk to every morning. I looked forward to her smile and our conversation. She was able to turn my mood around with her sense of humor and kindness. She was one of the most kindhearted and joyful people I have ever known. She was not only loyal to The Junior League, but her family too. It was obvious how much she loved her husband and her son, she talked about them with so much pride and love. She will forever hold a place in my heart, I feel blessed to have gotten to work with her and call her my friend.”

Tima Brown (Active): “Throughout the years, Doris’ kindness was at the forefront of every interaction even through her illness - she was always the smiling face when you walked into Headquarters. That is how I will always remember Doris - kind.”

Jene’ Bearse (Sustainer): “She had such light about her - she was so positive and when I was stressed out, which was often in some of the Leadership jobs I had, she had such a calming presence and a great perspective in: whatever the drama of the day is, it’s all going to be okay.’”

Keri Bellacosa Walling (Active): "Of all the times Doris supported my different roles in JLA, the memory that really sticks with me was how she loved my kids. Each week last year, I'd come up to the League to sign thank you notes before they went out to donors and sponsors, with my two toddlers in tow. She would talk with them, listen to their stories, give them a lollipop, be patient when they dropped snack crumbs everywhere, anything to make them feel special and welcomed.”

Sandy Alcalá (Sustainer/Past President): “During my tougher placements as ACA Chair, Community VP and President, Doris was always ready to help in her administrative role. She always supported me as a dear friend as well. Her laugh and smile were contagious and she always took the time to ask if I needed anything and inquired about how I was doing. That was Doris, always thinking of others first and ready to help. She loved the League and the League will always love her!”

18 The Junior League of Austin

Carrie Semple (JLA President): “So, I know that Doris has a reputation for being the sweetest, most thoughtful person and she was totally that but she was also SUPER funny! Doris used to create a powerpoint for every board retreat that would include clues about each board member and you would have to "guess the board member." She would include the funniest graphics. It was one of my favorite traditions of being on the board, and I don't think board retreats will be the same without that little touch from Doris. I think that's actually Doris' legacy - she impacted our lives in all these special ways that no one else will ever be able to replicate. She was truly one of a kind, and we are all better for having had the chance to know her.”

Hadley Hempel (Active): “Doris was a shining light who brightened my day every time I saw her. She always had a warm smile and kind greeting for all of our members - those she knew well, as well as those newer to the League who were just learning their way around. Doris provided so much support to all of us in Leadership, consistently going above and beyond to help with things that weren't necessarily part of her official job responsibilities. She knew EVERYTHING about the League and was instrumental in educating me about processes and providing historical insights that helped me do my various league jobs better."

Jacqueline Noack (Sustainer): “She always greeted you with a gracious smile and knew your name. Doris was always so calm, peaceful and had a gorgeous smile even through her toughest times. She left such a great legacy.”

Lisa Allen (JLA Technology and Training Manager): “Dedicating the kitchen to Doris is a fitting memorial in so many ways. She would prepare the most wonderful meals for our “lunch bunch”. Several years ago, I told the group that I hadn’t had a homemade birthday cake since I lived in my parents’ house and Doris jumped into action. She made me the most beautiful, Pinterest-worthy cake! It still makes me smile to think of it.”

Janice Klekar (JLA Database Manager): “Doris and I both started working for the Junior League on November 13, 2001 and we became instant friends, partners in crime and sisters. Not a day went by without us laughing and sometimes crying, about one thing or another. Doris’ favorite holiday was Christmas. She loved collecting Christmas ornaments and she and I would be the first ones in line to purchase the ornaments used at the League’s A Christmas Affair event. If I could add one definition to the Webster Dictionary for the word “gracious” it would be “Doris Nañez”. Doris was the epitome of grace – she exuded graciousness in everything she did - from her family, her friends, her work and yes, even her ongoing battle with cancer. She was loved by all JLA members and staff, the Square on Parkcrest tenants and of course her precious dog, Moses.”

The Junior League of Austin 19

IMPACT

Financial Impact Report

Financial Impact Report Celebrating Success While Raising Funds With the Austin Community.

By: Stefanie Bertram, Fund Development Vice President

T

his year started off with a bang as we began our first full year in the new Community Impact Center (CIC). In August, not only did we move into our new Headquarters, but we also booked our first client. This was a telltale sign of a busy and exciting year!

By September, the Food-In-Tummies (FIT) program was in full swing at both Baty and Hillcrest Elementary Schools.

For 34 weeks, FIT delivered almost 1,000 backpacks of healthy and shelf-stable food to children in grades kindergarten through sixth grade at both schools on a weekly basis. For $5 a week or $20 a month, our supporters helped keep a child nutritiously fed each weekend during the school year. Once again, we thank Whole Foods Market for their generous contribution to the program.

During the COVID-19 crisis, FIT expanded to serve 8 more schools in addition to Baty and Hillcrest Elementary. The Junior League of Austin is proud to help our community during this time of need.

20 The Junior League of Austin

In October, we celebrated the new CIC with an official Ribbon Cutting and Building Dedication Ceremony.

Pamela Willeford, a Past League President and Alison Alter, a former city Councilwoman, ambassador to Liechtenstein and ambassador to Switzerland joined donors and members for official tours. Naming opportunities are still available to those interested.

November was one of our largest fundraising months as we celebrated our two most iconic initiatives: A Christmas Affair (ACA) and Coats for Kids (CFK). This year’s ACA marked our 44th year of raising funds for our signature programs and community partners. Through our generous sponsors and record-breaking attendance, we raised almost $1.1 million that we put directly back into the community. We thank sponsors such as IBC Bank, Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships, Whole Foods Market, CenterPoint Inc., Springhouse Foundation, St. David’s HealthCare, Brandywine Realty Trust and Capitol Chevrolet. We welcomed new sponsors such as the, Jack

Page Sponsored By: Kim & Colin McHale

IMPACT

Financial Impact Report

L to R: President Carrie Semple packs FIT bags while taking safety precautions during COVID-19. Students in Del Valle ISD proudly show off their FIT backpacks. Sisters pose with their new jackets on Distribution Day. Distribution Day is for the whole family - and Penny! A student receives new shoes with the help of a Nyle Maxwell volunteer. JLA member, Tima Brown, helps a student get fitted for new shoes.

Brown Cleaners, Tito’s Handmade Vodka and the Austin American-Statesman.

will fit and distribute to Forbes and Cedar Bend Preschools as well as Guerrero Thompson Elementary School.

Meanwhile, CFK celebrated its 34th year of providing warm coats to children in need. This year’s coat drive allowed us to distribute more than 36,000 coats with the help of over 2,500 community volunteers, many of which have been volunteering for years - thank you! We raised $117,000 from generous supporters from around the globe.

We thank our long-standing partners Jack Brown Cleaners, KVET and KVUE for their commitment to this Austin tradition! We are also thankful for the many contributions from members in the community.

In February, Austin Entertains marked its fourth year of raising money for the community and its first year at our new building. This year we introduced the Austin Entertains Fellowship, which was awarded to Krystal Craig of Intero. The fellowship included $10,000 in a cash grant to further her professional development as well as a package of professional services provided exclusively by members of The Junior League of Austin. Janie Ramirez of Dai Due and Amanda Rockman of New Waterloo also received grants. We thank the Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships for their Title Sponsorship as well as Austin Subaru, C3 Presents, Whole Foods Market, Longbow Partners, Elliott Stratmann, PLLC, BoothEasy and Tito’s Handmade Vodka for their generous support.

In December, Kids in Cool Shoes (KICS) handed out quality, well-fitted shoes to children at Mainspring Preschool, which includes some of Austin’s most economically disadvantaged children. With KICS lead sponsor, the Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships, volunteers helped the JLA members distribute the new shoes. The children’s excitement over new shoes was both palpable and heartwarming and reaffirms the positive impact that new shoes can bring a child. Throughout the winter and spring, KICS Page Sponsored By: Keri & Greg Walling

It’s never too late to make a contribution to The Junior League of Austin and its many programs and events.

From $5 to $50,000, we appreciate your support. For more questions on donations, please contact the Fund Development VP at funddevelopmentvp@jlaustin.org.

The Junior League of Austin 21

IMPACT

Community Impact Report

Community Impact Report The Junior League of Austin Maintains Commitment to Community Through Volunteers, Funds and our Signature Programs.

By: Haley Gardiner, Community Vice President

T

he Junior League of Austin remains committed to supporting the greater Austin community. Our programs and partnerships provide invaluable resources and supportive services to families in need, help make advances in the arts and further the education of community members.

In 2019 – 2020, the League provided close to $650,000 to programs and partnerships across the community. Not only does the League provide financial support to our community, but our members also give their time as well.

Throughout the year, more than 1,200 members donated their time to help improve the greater Austin area.

The Junior League of Austin has several signature programs and projects that provide our members with a platform to support our community. These programs include: Community Projects: In 2019 – 2020, the League partnered with 31 agencies for the benefit and enrichment of the Austin community and the development and education of our volunteers. More than 550 women supported these agencies throughout the year and combined, they contributed over 39,000 hours in community support.

Done-in-a-Day: The League recognizes that many agencies require support for shorter-term projects.

As such, we offer our Done-in-a-Day program, which provides support at a variety of events including fundraisers, food bank distribution, along with many other activities. This year, 41 women provided nearly 3,000 hours of support to agencies throughout the community.

22 The Junior League of Austin

Page Sponsored By: Sun Connor in honor of Danny & Max

Coats for Kids: On December 7, 2019, The Junior League of Austin, Jack Brown Cleaners, KVET and KVUE hosted the 34th annual Coats for Kids event. Together, with volunteers throughout Travis County and surrounding areas, we distributed over 36,000 warm winter coats to children in need.

The League relies on the generosity of our community to help collect and distribute new and gently used coats to ensure the continued success of this signature program.

Food in Tummies (FIT): This year, the League celebrated the 10th anniversary of the FIT program. Since its inception, the League has distributed more than 250,000 backpacks of nutritious food to students at Baty and Hillcrest Elementary Schools, which are both part of Del Valle ISD. This program continues to fill a significant need among schools that serve a high population of children on the free or reduced-cost lunch program.

within Travis County by providing new athletic sneakers for every child at Mainspring School, Cedar Bend Child Development Center, Forbes Child Development Center and Guerrero Thompson Elementary School. This year, more than 1,000 pairs of shoes were distributed through our KICS program.

In 2019 – 2020, the League provided close to $650,000 to programs and partnerships across the community.

Kids in Cool Shoes (KICS): The KICS program has continued to support preschool and elementary schools

As we look forward to what this new decade will bring, we know the League’s commitment to this community and its people is steadfast. We are so proud to call Central Texas home and to support its growth by providing volunteers and leaders who will help continue the JLA’s culture of giving.

The Junior League of Austin (JLA) provides volunteers and funding to community agencies for the benefit and enrichment of the Austin community and the development and education of League volunteers. On the next page is a summary of volunteers and funds that are allocated to each project or program that the JLA supports. To learn more about these projects and programs, please visit www.jlaustin.org.

IMPACT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN

PARTNERS & PROGRAMS

The Junior League of Austin (JLA) provides volunteers and funding to area non-profits for the benefit and enrichment of the Austin community and the development and education of League volunteers. Below is a summary of volunteers and funds that are allocated to each project or program that the JLA supports. To learn more about these projects and programs please visit www.jlaustin.org.

Community Projects

2019-2020 COMMUNITY ADVISORS

Project

Volunteers

Funds

Austin Creative Reuse

20

$2,600

Ballet Austin

14

$11,500

B.I.G. Love Cancer Center

14

$0

Breakthrough

20

$3,000

Carrying Hope

6

$4,000

Center for Child Protection

19

$12,000

Central Texas Food Bank

25

$4,000

Children’s Diabetes Camp of Central Texas

27

$0

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Travis County

16

$13,500

Down Home Ranch

10

$1,000

Dress for Success Austin

32

$16,000

Drive a Senior Northwest

23

$5,500

Elizabeth Foster

Emancipet

25

$4,000

Generation Serve

8

$0

Global VP of Business Development Whole Foods Market

Girls Empowerment Network

8

$12,000

Humane Society of Austin & Travis County

20

$0

Mobile Loaves & Fishes

10

$10,000

Mother's Milk Bank at Austin

20

$16,000

Partnerships for Children

14

$0

ROCK, Ride On Center for Kids

11

$10,000

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas

48

$12,000

Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid

6

$13,000

Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired

13

$0

The SAFE Alliance

13

$7,000

The Salvation Army Austin Area Command

10

$5,000

The Settlement Home

10

$5,900

Thinkery

12

$10,000

We Are Blood

12

$4,000

Director of Intergovernmental Relations & Policy Oversight Austin ISD

Westcave Outdoor Discovery Center

12

$13,000

Brad Robb

Women’s Storybook Project of Texas

6

$4,000

Zach Scott Theatre Center

75

$0

Executive Director Carl C. Anderson Sr. & Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation

The Junior League of Austin Programs

Elizabeth Christian President Elizabeth Christian and Associates Public Relations

John-Michael Cortez Special Assistant Office of Mayor Steve Adler

Nikki Graham President Bank of America Austin

Christopher Kennedy CEO Leadership Austin

Ron Kessler Ron Kessler Group, LLC

Edna Ramon Butts

Project

Volunteers

Funds

Karlan Witt

Coats for Kids (CFK)

32

$157,599

Done-in-a-Day

41

$0.00

Senior Partner Cambia Information Group, LLC

FIT - Food in Tummies

38

$236,612

KICS - Kids in Cool Shoes

13

$51,999

Playhouse Singers

22

$315

Spanish Immersion “Si”

7

$0.00

UT String Project

0

$2,000

Con Mi MADRE Scholarships

0

$2,000

Total 2019-2020 Community Volunteers & Community Contributions

712

$645,525

24 The Junior League of Austin

AQUILA proudly supports the Junior League of Austin.

As a local company, we take giving back to our community seriously. In 2019, our staff dedicated over 150 volunteer hours to eight nonprofits in Central Texas, and several of our employees are League members. That’s why we support the Junior League of Austin, an organization dedicated to the development of women and giving back to our city.

AQUILA is your resource for Austin commercial real estate.

• • • • •

Tenant Representation Project Management Project Leasing Property Management Investment Services AQUILA’s Junior League members past and present: Kendall Guinn, Lauren Little and Kristi Svec Simmons

No one knows Austin better.™

aquilacommercial.com

LEGACY

Sustainers

Beyond Active Membership

Sustaining Members Discuss Transitioning to Sustainer, What They are Doing now and how Their Time in The Junior League of Austin has Helped Them to Become Effective Community Leaders.

By: Jennifer Angenend McKeon Photography By: Mildred Hammond

“I experienced both relief in having more free time and loss of direction when I went Sustaining. My default was to devote more time toward my kids. The next thing I knew I was leading school PTAs, then leading the district-wide Council of PTAs and ultimately running for the Austin ISD Board of Trustees, where I currently serve in my second term. I have found my JLA training to be instrumental in this work, as it prepared me to be a focused and dedicated volunteer. As such, I hope more Sustainers would consider a role on their local PTAs and school boards. Being a school or district leader is a fulfilling job that requires volunteers to be smart, organized and committed. Public education would benefit greatly from the professionalism, knowledge and teamwork mentality JLA leaders bring to the table.”

Amber Elenz, Researchers Chair 2008-2009

“For many years, I have been a member of the Settlement Club supporting and raising funds for The Settlement Home. I’ve taken to heart JLA’s mission as a training ground, to take the skills I’ve learned as a member of JLA and go out and apply my leadership skills elsewhere.

Now that my schedule permits, I serve as the incoming President of the Greater Austin Area Alumni Association of Alpha Delta Pi as the Marketing Advisor for the ADPi chapter at the University of Texas and sit on the Capital Campaign Committee for my chapter of ADPi at the University of Arkansas. Additionally, my sister and I co-chair the Advisory Council for the Trotter House here in Austin. What I really took away from the League is that when you have a common goal and purpose, you learn to work with different personalities and accomplish great things. Every little detail or skill you contribute makes a difference – you don’t have to do all, and be all, it’s just about being involved, engaged and doing what you can in your life, at that time.”

Jacquelyn Noack, 2010-2011: Advisory/Strategic Planning Chair

26 The Junior League of Austin

LEGACY

Sustainers

T

he Junior League of Austin (JLA) serves as a training ground for volunteers who continue to make powerful impacts in the local community, even after transitioning out of Active membership. Equipped with valuable lessons, experiences and skills from their time spent in JLA, many Sustaining members continue to contribute with service being an integral part of their lives. A few Sustainers talk about transitioning to Sustainer, what they are doing now and how their time in JLA has helped them to be effective community leaders.

“I have been involved with the Settlement Club and their annual Garage Sale for the last few years. I have been Treasurer of the Alpha Chi Omega House Corporation at UT and I'm now the current President. Additionally, I am involved with the Trotter House, an organization assisting women and families who find themselves in an unplanned pregnancy or a difficult situation that also focuses on building a culture of life. By chance, my sister Jacquelyn and I were introduced to Trotter House and quickly became involved by cochairing the Advisory Committee at a time when the organization needed the specific skill sets we learned in the League. The JLA is a safe space to learn and grow, and when you’re in it you don’t realize all you’re gaining. Advice: “Take advantage of every opportunity you have in the League, particularly those that stretch your comfort zone. Do something that you might not otherwise have tried.”

Gregory Noack, JLA President 2014-2015

“Being involved with the League as a Sustainer has been a different level of intensity of enjoyment. I have more time to focus on my children now that they are teenagers. I’m active with the Women’s Symphony League of Austin (WSL), which supports the Austin Symphony Orchestra and children’s music programming. I was treasurer of the JLA and received tremendous training and went on to be treasurer of the WSL, where I am currently President-Elect. I’m also active with the National Charity League, which is a great way to involve my daughter in volunteer service. It’s a mother-daughter service organization similar to the JLA.” Advice: “Take advantage of the training opportunities and use those as time to try something new.”

Jené Bearse, Board of Directors, 2009-2012, 2014-2015

The Junior League of Austin 27

IMPACT

The League Cares

The League Cares (TLC) The Junior League of Austin’s Newest Committee is Established for all Members to Provide Kudos, Condolences and Support.

A

By: Jennifer Angenend McKeon

major initiative of this year’s The Junior League of Austin (JLA) Leadership has been establishing a committee exclusively with membership in mind. The League Cares (TLC) is focused on providing personal outreach to members who hit milestones, hard times or just need some assistance.

Kudos: The TLC committee aims to acknowledge the achievements of the women in our League, for example, receiving a big promotion at work, having a baby or going above and beyond both in and outside JLA. Condolences: From the loss of a loved one, a painful diagnosis or struggling through the impacts of other life events, everyone needs a little support from time to time.

TLC performs completely confidential outreach on an individual basis to each member recommended to the committee, seeing how they can be best supported.

EVOLUTION OF TLC COMMITTEE When JLA member Stephanie Potter served as a Capital Campaign Ambassador, she was tasked to call and solicit donations for the CIC. She vividly remembers calling a member who was struggling with a colicky baby; she felt bad to be calling that member adding more onto her when she was already in a tough place. She also remembers being at a general meeting and noticing some JLA women Facetiming a member who was battling cancer, so she could be included from home. Again as a project chair, she called members to check on their placement progress, only to find out that they were going through some life changes. These experiences sparked an idea: “We are such a big organization, I thought about the challenge of creating a community amongst everyone when we aren’t all in the same place regularly...to have a committee where we could share news, information to help people, and maybe even lessen burdens sometimes.”

Her concept was brought forward to Carrie Semple, who 28 The Junior League of Austin

loved the idea. At that time Potter was a Member-AtLarge on the Membership Development Council and Semple tasked Potter to research other Leagues with a similar program. Potter adds, “The idea was to make the Junior League feel smaller, warmer and not bureaucratic.

The risk in an organization this big is whoever sends the emails for late payment or placement obligations has no idea what someone may be going through. The TLC committee can help bridge that gap.” A similar initiative had been tried in Austin before, so there was a committee already written into the bylaws, but it hadn’t been an active committee for quite some time. Potter found inspiration when she learned one of the Leagues called their committee The League Cares (TLC). Through research, Potter and the rest of the Council contributed ideas and developed the committee. This year, the TLC committee was active for the first time as a three-member committee headed by Julia Null. The objective to make this a long-standing, sustainable committee is well on its way. There has been a lot of interest in serving on the committee next year. As Potter notes, “There’s still going to be plenty of room for shaping the role of TLC within the JLA.” How You Can Help: The most important thing members can do is to reach out to TLC on behalf of themselves or other members. There is a form available from the JLA member homepage (under Member Resources) where members can submit the information that goes directly to the TLC committee. This information may be submitted anonymously and TLC will keep it confidential. TLC reaches out to members within a few days to see how they can best assist that member. There is also a link on the webpage where members can donate to The League Cares committee, as TLC relies on donations to perform this important work. Please help spread the word and uplift other women in our organization by supporting The League Cares committee.

Page Sponsored By: Fallon & Kyler Allison

Save the Date

Coats for Kids Distribution Day:

Saturday, December 12, 2020

How to get involved: Donate gently worn coats at any Jack Brown Cleaners Donate $20 (The cost of a new coat) Volunteer at Distribution Day Learn more: www.jlaustin.org/coats

FEATURE

Fellowship Grant

Austin Entertains

FELLOWSHIP GRANT Supporting Entrepreneurs and Innovative Women in our new Headquarters.

By: Danielle Lobsinger Photography By: Mildred Hammond

F

or the last four years, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) has supported and highlighted incredibly talented women in the culinary industry, including chefs, bartenders, local brewmasters and wine and spirit makers through our event, Austin Entertains. This year, the event was held at our beautiful Community Impact Center (CIC).

Attendees sampled foods from familiar chefs showcased in previous years and some new additions, such as Melissa Carroll from Le Politique, Amanda Wadsworth from Tiny Pies, Carol Huntsberger from Quality Seafood and Sarah Heard from Foreign & Domestic. There were a number of activities for guests to participate in, including multiple photo booths by BoothEasy, a hair braiding station in the VIP area by Birds Barbershop and bars highlighting the event’s presenting establishments. In addition to the online silent auction, there was a live auction featuring exciting excursions such as a dove hunt in Argentina and luxury weekend getaways in Taos, New Orleans and Charleston. New this year, there was also an opportunity to win an amazing “wine wall” that featured 100 bottles of wines from Texas and all over the world. The Texas Association of Wine Growers were also a presenting establishment with their numerous wines (their full list can be found online). Austin Entertains raised over $110,000 total for the League’s signature programs, including Coats for Kids (CFK), Food In Tummies (FIT) and Kids in Cool Shoes (KICS).

This year, we introduced a new way for the JLA to support female entrepreneurs in Austin through the Austin Entertains Fellowship, a successful program that our neighbors from The Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO)

30 The Junior League of Austin

began in 2018. While at the AJLI Leadership Conference in New Orleans, LA, JLA President Carrie Semple learned more about JLNO’s Woman Entrepreneur (WE) Fellowship.

The WE Fellowship is a year-long program, supporting a female business owner with both a financial contribution as well as mentoring and in-kind services sourced through JLNO’s membership. Upon learning more about the Fellowship, Semple determined that it would be a natural fit for Austin Entertains.

“Austin Entertains does an amazing job of spotlighting women in the culinary industry and we wanted to tie it even closer to our mission of developing the potential of women. Through this Fellowship, we have the opportunity to support a female entrepreneur in the Austin community, but it also shines a light on the professional accomplishments of the women in the League,” said Semple.

{From L to R}: Austin Entertains Chair Mary Stratmann, Fellowship Grant Winners Janie Ramirez, Krystal Craig, Amanda Rockman, and JLA President Semple celebrate the inaugural year of the Austin Entertains Fellowship.

Page Sponsored By: Elizabeth Doughtie

The Fellowship included a grant of funds to be used to advance the winner’s business and professional development.

The Grand Prize winner was awarded $10,000, as well as a suite of professional services and advising provided by members of JLA. Services included legal services with Rekha Roarty, Associate at Bollier Ciccone, LLP, accounting services with Bonnie Allison, Lead Accountant with Farm Credit Bank of Texas, financial planning provided by Meagan Moll, Partner at Meridian Wealth Advisors, a PR and Media strategy provided by Keri Bellacosa Walling, social media plan provided by Debra Doliner, graphic design and branding provided

by Stephanie Bazan, headshot photography provided by Cat Mattingly and custom signage design and production by Jolie Cypert, owner of FastSigns.

In order to be considered for the Fellowship, candidates were required to participate in Austin Entertains. Applications were evaluated and finalists were selected by a cross-section of League leadership, including the JLA President, JLA President-Elect and Austin Entertains Chair.

In the week leading up to the event, the finalists were announced to the Austin community. The winner of the inaugural fellowship was Ms. Krystal Craig, Chocolatier and Pastry Chef at Intero.

“Krystal is a driven entrepreneur - a successful chocolatier in her own right, having started Crave Artisan Chocolates before she opened Intero with her husband, Ian Thurwachter, just a few years ago. Resources provided under the Austin Entertains Fellowship will enable Krystal to move her restaurant and business to the next level, and in that way, the Fellowship truly is a life-changing Austin Entertains Fellowship Grant winner Krystal opportunity for her,” said Austin Entertains Chair Mary Stratmann. Craig of Intero.

Thanks to additional generous contributions, Amanda Rockman, Executive Pastry Chef of the New Waterloo Group and Janie Rameriz, Executive Chef of Dai Due’s New School of Traditional Cookery and Butcher Shop were also each awarded $2,500 to continue their business and professional development.

This year’s Austin Entertains has been the most successful yet. With a record-breaking attendance, hosting brand new chefs and local businesses in our CIC and through generous donations, JLA was able to more than double the amount of funds raised to support our partners and programs throughout the Austin community, including giving back through the inaugural Fellowship. JLA looks forward to working with and watching these talented chefs and entrepreneurs continue to take the Austin culinary scene by storm, with a bit of help from the women at The Junior League of Austin.

{From L to R}: Birds Barbershop stylists provide braids for the VIPs in the Sustainer’s Lounge; Winner Janie Rameriz shows off Dai Due’s appetizer; The ladies of the New Waterloo Group show off their speciality sweets.

Page Sponsored By: Patty & James Huffines

The Junior League of Austin 31

FEATURE

Austin Entertains

Austin

A NIGHT AT

32  The Junior League of Austin

Entertains

Photography By: Mildred Hammond

The Junior League of Austin  33

FEATURE

Capitalines

Capitalines Through the Years

Celebrating the History of Capitalines and its Evolution From a Small Newsletter in 1934 to the Professional Quality Magazine it is Today.

By: Jennifer Angenend McKeon

Since The Junior League of Austin’s (JLA) formation in 1934, it has published and distributed a periodical to keep its members informed on League events, community partners and members’ lives. While a lot has changed over the past 86 years including the name, format and production process, the intent and purpose of Capitalines remains the same – it promotes JLA initiatives and works to bring the membership together by keeping them informed.

The JLA Publication now known as Capitalines started out quite differently in the Fall of 1934. Not only did it have a different look, but it also held many different titles before finally becoming standardized in 1964. First named News Sheet in 1934, it was then renamed to News for a short time in 1947. Afterwards it came to be known as Junior Leaguer in 1948 before being renamed to Austin Junior League News in 1951. In the fall of 1954 The Flicker’s Nest (long before Twitter!) hatched; every cover featured a cartoon bird. In 1957, the publication was called the Austin Accent. The Junior League made its debut in 1959. Then once again it was renamed in 1960 as The Spectator. Capitolines made its appearance from 1961 to 1962 and by this time had grown to a 40 plus page magazine. In 1963 another name change occurred: The Round Table.

1964 was the year Editor Mary Lib Thornhill decided to change the publication name to Capitalines. Up until that point, the Capitalines committee chose the name of the publication during their placement, which explains the frequent name changes. In addition to the variety of names over the years, the look and feel of the magazine also experienced some noticeable changes.

Originally when it was first News Sheet, the publication had the look and feel of a small newsletter and started out as a trifold, growing into a small five page booklet.

Over time, various sizes, cover formats and more colors were utilized. The cost of postage slowly increased over the years, too! The first News Sheet only cost one cent per issue to be mailed. It was in 1948 with Junior Leaguer 32 The Junior League of Austin

This early cover of News Sheet from 1935 is indicative of the original publications for the first decade plus.

when the general look and feel of the Capitalines magazine that is immediately recognizable to readers today was established.

While the publication always contained information about our charitable initiatives, in the past it also contained more news about personal members, photographs of provisional classes, recipes, anecdotes from vacations and This board photo from the October 1963 issue shows how the team pieced personal events, together photos, text and graphics to make the content more visually interesting. address changes of members and much more. Looking through old issues gives the impression of the “social networks” of the past, before Facebook and Instagram. It also contained information about the other Leagues in Texas, a status of account budget in every issue and even allowed members to write in anonymously for a period of time. It is clear this is how membership communicated things large and small amongst itself, shared photos, talked about their vacations, weddings and births as well as a variety of other things. The advances in production are also easily seen throughout the pages.

By 1995, the graphics and format of the issues are more reminiscent of how the publication appears today, as illustrated in this article about that year’s Community Service Recipient, MariBen Ramsey.

Page Sponsored By: Sheridan & Tyler Binford

Perhaps one of the most radical and intuitive evolutions that has occurred throughout the years is the means of producing this publication. Capitalines’ Head Reporter in 1990 and the committee’s current Sustaining Advisor, Gay Puckett gives her perspective on the differences in how Capitalines was compiled and produced in 1990 versus how it is made today: “Attending the Capitalines meetings in 2020 is mind-blowing. The women are sharing files in Google Drives.

They are all uber confident using tablets, advanced design software and interfacing with The Junior League of Austin 33

FEATURE

Capitalines HOW FAR CAPITALINES HAS COME AS A SOCIETY A look into the June 1962 "Coloring Book for Summer"

other placements within the League to promote JLA’s community projects. While so much has changed, a lot remains the same. The good ‘ole days of how we edited and did copy have vastly improved. Thirty years ago, a member typed an article on an iconic IBM Selectric typewriter with the newest invention and used liquid “white out” for corrections. Articles were laid out on big boards by hand, “cut and paste style” and driven in a car to Miller BluePrint downtown where they did their blue lining magic, (yes, light blue markers didn’t show up on a copy machine). Proofs were then delivered back to the Capitalines Committee for review.”

Over the 86 years and countless issues of Capitalines to date, JLA history has been meticulously documented. Each issue highlights moments in time that reflect the values, achievements and most importantly, membership who worked hard to make JLA the successful, impactful organization it is today. In this ever-changing world, while the format and production processes may continue to evolve, the goal at the heart of Capitalines’ mission, bringing the membership together, will always remain.

One thing that shines throughout the pages of these issues are that the women of this League are dedicated to riding the waves of progress and pushing forward with excellence.

The News Sheet was published nine times a year before each General Meeting from October through June and had 1,500

34 The Junior League of Austin

The Annual Charity Ball being a major JLA fundraiser, the spring issues naturally gave it a lot of focus. This April 1964 issue utilizes multicolor printing and photo cut-outs to highlight the Circus theme of the ball that year, along with the committee.

Page Sponsored By: Rekha & Chris Roarty

addresses on its mailing list. This included a copy going to each President and Editor of the 196 Junior Leagues in Canada, Mexico and the United States. To this day, Capitalines still sends every Spring and Fall issue to all Junior League chapters in the United States and Canada. It’s mailing list size has more than doubled as well as its page count, quality, number of advertisers and content.

The placement portfolio was featured as a significant section of the summer issues.

This is the inside “cover” from the June 1960 issue.

Capitalines strives to communicate and implement the JLA’s mission to its members and the community. It focuses on women in Leadership who strive to make the Austin community a better place. It allows members to understand a more in-depth connection in learning about different community projects. It gives women the confidence to learn something new. It shows the community as well as members the financial reports to see where volunteers’ hours and hard work have contributed to monetarily. This informative publication not only enhances our member’s knowledge within the League, but of knowledge in the community in which we serve. Capitalines continues to create information for our members to read while for our future members it gives the opportunity to learn about our history and the achievements made today.

A BLAST FROM THE PAST

Pages from some memorable moments in Capitalines history

Page Sponsored By: Kendall & Andrew Guinn

The Junior League of Austin 35

DR. APRIL WILLIS

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ACTIVE JLA MEMBER

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LEGACY LETTER FROM THE

SUSTAINING PRESIDENT As I write this in late March, the world finds itself in the middle of one of the greatest health challenges of modern times. We are in an unprecedented period that is straining our country’s health care and financial resources; and putting pressure on families, organizations, cities and countries in unforeseen ways.

It is too early to see what the long-term impact will be, but I know that whatever challenges we face in the Austin area, The Junior League of Austin (JLA) and our members will play an important role in meeting them. Serving our community and caring for those in need has always been one of our central roles and will continue to be.

I think it is useful, at a time like this, to see how far we have come as an organization in the last ten years.

Let’s look back to the JLA of 2010. In that year: Photo by: Cat Mattingly Photography

"I am confident that this organization can help care for our community well into the future."

• The Bluffstone property was purchased.

• FIT – Food in Tummies was in its first year of operation. Spanish Immersion was still a new program.

• Con Mi MADRE was completing its transition to a stand-alone non-profit organization (having been the Junior League Hispanic Mother-Daughter Program since 1992).

• The annual volunteer hour requirement minimum was 70 hours (vs. 50 today).

• The League had its largest Provisional Class to date with 160 members.

• The total membership was 1,922.

While purchasing the Bluffstone property was a major defining moment for the League (leading to the construction of the beautiful Community Impact Center), another very significant development over the past ten years was the 34% increase in Junior League membership (from 1,922 to 2,577).

While we’ve clearly made immense progress over the past ten years, it’s exciting to think about what The Junior League of Austin and our members will accomplish in the decade ahead. As Sustaining President and a League member since 2002, I continue to be inspired by our members’ leadership and commitment to service.

Winston Churchill said, “The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.”

From knowing the strength and heart of service that is at the heart of JLA’s past, I am confident that this organization can help care for our community well into the future.

Casie Wenmohs Sustaining President, 2019-2020 The Junior League of Austin 38 The Junior League of Austin

LEGACY JUNIOR LEAGUE OF AUSTIN

PAST PRESIDENTS

Past Presidents The Junior League of Austin

Gladys Greenlee Bowman+ Ruth McCelvey Bremond+ Mamie Ray Earnest+ Julian Devereux Weeks+ Margaret Ann Caldwell Scarbrough+ Ina Williams Walker+ Hilda Rudd McElhenney+ Frances Coopwood Morgan+ Mary Tucker Muse+ Julia Matthews Perry Robinson+ Virginia Nalle Page+ Elizabeth Schneider Rogers+ Mary Helen George Ammann+ L. Ellen Steck Ross Carter+ Eleanor Niggli Tyler+ Frankie Gist Peterson+ Eleanor Stayton Gammon+ Mary Ireland Graves Dougherty+ Mary Lee Wilson Crusemann+ Hallie Groos Slaughter+ * Elora Watt Smith+ Sue Kone Drake+ Beverly Nash Bell+* Mary Lucile Wicker O’Brien+ Elinor Willis Pittman+ Marjorie Dodge Granger+ Irene Hopkins Harwood+ Alice Kleberg Reynolds Meyer+ Nancy Price Bowman+ Barbara Louise Davis Neff+ Eugenia Betts Miller Shelby Reed Hearon+ Diane Hierholzer Finch Grant* Marian Marley McCrummen+ Alison Gray Kimberlin* Josephine Klotz Roche

1933-1934 1934-1935 1935-1936 1936-1938 1938-1940 1940-1942 1942-1944 1944-1946 1946-1947 1947-1948 1948-1949 1949-1950 1950-1951 1951-1952 1952-1953 1953-1954 1954-1955 1955-1956 1956-1957 1957-1958 1958-1959 1959-1960 1960-1961 1961-1962 1962-1963 1963-1964 1964-1965 1965-1966 1966-1967 1967-1968 1968-1969 1969-1970 1970-1971 1971-1972 1972-1973 1973-1974

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."

Eleanor Roosevelt, Junior League of the City of New York

Josephine Drake McRee+ Barbara Leonard Smith* Margaret Craig Cowden Susan Dean Stayton* Susan Page Driver Carolyn Kellam Curtis Marilla Black King Nancy Chapman Collins Ann Johnston Dolce Clare Ritchie Hudspeth Regan Kimberlin Gammon Mary Gideon Herman* Elizabeth Snyder Malone Pamela Pitzer Willeford Cynthia Hendrick Kozmetsky Christina Kazen Attal Judith Allen Shelton Elizabeth Walters Atherton^ Melissa Owens Jackson Paula Thompson Herd Kristen Jones Holland Cookie Gregory Ruiz Hallie Powell Cardwell Emily Heebner Baker Nancy Cummins Prideaux Nancy Schoenvogel Edsel MariBen Ramsey*^ Joan Granger Talley Amy Johnson Dunham Suzy Balagia Diane Catalani Falkenberg Laura Wolf Beth Nance Smith KaLyn Laney Melissa Greenwood Morrow Kathi Livingston Haralson Sandy Segura Alcalá Morgen Cesarano Hardin Cathy Knapp McHorse Kelly Breeden Gregory Noack Casie Kaluza Wenmohs Sarah Moore Valenzuela Julie Hall Amy Hurt

1974-1975 1975-1976 1976-1977 1977-1978 1978-1979 1979-1980 1980-1981 1981-1982 1982-1983 1983-1984 1984-1985 1985-1986 1986-1987 1987-1988 1988-1989 1989-1990 1990-1991 1991-1992 1992-1993 1993-1994 1994-1995 1995-1996 1996-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1999-2000 2000-2001 2001-2002 2002-2003 2003-2004 2004-2005 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2018-2019

* Denotes additional service at the regional level ^ Denotes service on the AJLI Board of Directors + Deceased The Junior League of Austin 39

GIVING

Sponsors & Donors

Junior League of Austin Sponsors & Donors The Junior League of Austin Thanks the Following Sponsors for Their Support of our Charitable Work in the Community. With Every Dollar Raised for Community Programs, the League Triples its Impact When Combined With the Commitment of our Trained Volunteers. Thank you Again to all of our Donors and Sponsors!

A CHRISTMAS AFFAIR 2019 IBC Bank SPIRIT Radio 105.9 Sterling Events and Catering iHeartMedia Ultimate Outdoor Entertainment Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships Austin Woman Magazine Strong Events Austin American-Statesman Emmis Austin Radio, 103.5 BOB-FM & 93.3 KGSR CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Whole Foods Market Springhouse Foundation St. David's HealthCare Brandywine Realty Trust Kendra Scott Design Make It Sweet TGB Outfitters Capitol Chevrolet Jack Brown Cleaners Bloody Revolution Gourmet Mixes Austin Family Magazine Tribeza Jack Hates Coffee Premiere Events Show Gear Systems Lyft

42  The Junior League of Austin

Fancy Fluff & The Churro Burro Cornucopia Popcorn Creations FASTSIGNS North Austin, West Austin and Cedar Park Jimmy & Ariel Romell Austin Staging by Karen LLC Tito's Handmade Vodka Austin Dermatologic Surgery Emily's Table Diamonds Direct Austex Moving Austin Kids Directory Randy Rogers Band & Show Gear Systems Jennifer Stevens & Jessica Balladares-Bennet Tiff's Treats Vicki & Fred Wilkerson Active DJ Wizard Tinsel Singers Plush Fabric - Home Interiors Ferguson Enterprises White Lodging Services Amber Carden Beth & Bryan Plater Jill & Mike Klucher Diane Finch Grant Nancy & Jim Edsel Lisa Kennedy

Gayle & Laney Vickers Holly & Kevin Priestner Leslie & Jonathan Moore The Akin Law Firm, LLC Courtney & Ed Dickey Ed, Jinky, Jake and Mallory Hicks Kittleman Photography Robin Jackson Photography Robin Burch LIsa Galloway Waterloo Dental The Hill House Austin BOTMHOA

COATS FOR KIDS 2019 Jack Brown Cleaners KVUE ABC Austin iHeartMedia, KVET 98.1 FM SXSW Community Fund of Communities Foundation of Texas The Swinerton Foundation Electric Transmission Texas, LLC Clean Cause Inc Robert & Shirley Huston Randy & Niki Reynolds Anthony Siress IORM Pawnee 24 Antler Mini Storage Clare Stedman Eddie Martinez

M & B Hangers Intex Distributing Co., Inc Michael & Cathy Godfrey Jackie & Jimmy P. Fitzgerald Texas Methodist Foundation Longhorn Idealease Herndon Family Foundation Douglas & Cathy Lynn Jewett Jacqueline Gay Wilson Puckett Sharon L. Hall Hena Venkatrao Richard's Hot Oil & Lease Service Buddy Schilling Cory Williams Northern Trust Circuit of the Americas, LLC

Cathy Northcutt Lyft Westlake Dermatology Bloody Revolution Southern Poms Segner's Jewelers Meagan and Donny Dillard

Thank you to all of our sponsors and donors for your continued support!

FOOD-IN-TUMMIES (FIT) Whole Foods Market ECG Foundation MFI Foundation Randy & Niki Reynolds Beverly & Lu Galloway Herndon Family Foundation

KIDS IN COOL SHOES (KICS) Nyle Maxwell Family Foundation Beverly & Lu Galloway

SUPPORT OUR MISSION Anonymous The Benevity Community Impact Fund Anonymous Laura Bates

AUSTIN ENTERTAINS 2020 Nyle Maxwell Family of Dealerships BoothEasy Whole Foods Market Austin Subaru C3 Presents Longbow Partners Elliott Stratmann, PLLC Forest Dentistry Argentina Flyways Tito's Handmade Vodka Texas Hill Country Olive Ranch

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The Junior League of Austin  43

LEGACY

Excellence in Volunteerism

JLA HONORS

TOYA CIRICA BELL with

PRESTIGIOUS VOLUNTEER EXTRAORDINAIRE AWARD

T

By: Laura Lee Daigle

he Junior League of Austin (JLA) is pleased to announce Toya Cirica Bell as JLA’s 2020 Volunteer Extraordinaire. Each year the League awards this honor to a Sustaining member who “has utilized past League training to demonstrate and promote volunteerism into the community beyond their active years with the League.”

Without a doubt, Toya Cirica Bell personifies the spirit of this award. Her ongoing dedication to the community is impressive, both in her own volunteer efforts and her passion for training and guiding future leaders.

Committee; the PR and Marketing Committee; the Communications Council; and the inaugural Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Committee. She is thoughtful, responsive, patient and knowledgeable. Working with volunteers requires diplomacy and Toya handles both challenges and successes with grace. From offering steady, well-thought out advice to serving as a panel speaker, she is always quick to fill in any role needed. 2018-2019’s Diversity & Inclusion committee member Meagan Anderson Longley says, “Toya brings a sense of calm and wisdom that has served us well as we work to introduce D&I principles into the organization’s culture. She challenges us to have difficult conversations, encourages us to see multiple perspectives and supports our efforts to try new and different things.”

Toya has been a member of the Junior League for more than 23-years, serving in the San Antonio and Austin Leagues. Her volunteer efforts spanned wellknown programs such as Of course her JLA volunteer Austin Smiles as well as key efforts are just one piece of internal roles including Chair what makes Toya so special. of Grant Writing, Co-Chair Professionally, she is an of Media Relations for ACA attorney with degrees from and Parliamentarian on the College of William & Mary Toya Bell (second from right) was the Sustaining Advisor for the inaugural JLA Diversity & Inclusion committee. the JLA Board of Directors. and Rice University and is Committee members: Marisa Williams, Tania LeskovarWhen reflecting on her JLA certified as a compliance and Owens, Meagan Longley, Dionne Barner, Laura Lee experience, Toya shared ethics professional. Toya is the Daigle, Toya Bell and Shannon Creekmur. that one of the most Compliance Officer for the meaningful points was while volunteering on a medical Texas Health and Human Services System in the Office mission in El Salvador with Austin Smiles, “Although I was of Compliance and Audit. Toya is also a past Board Chair in another country and did not speak the language, words of Leadership Austin and has volunteered with numerous could not replace the look in a mother’s eyes, the feelings well-respected organizations in our community. She was in my heart, and the moments we shared when I carried recognized for her commitment to community service and her child back to her from surgery with a new smile.” mentoring by Austin Under 40 as Mentor of the Year and Mission Capital as Community Leader of the Year. The While Toya was a dedicated Active member for years, her Junior League of Austin is lucky to have such a prestigious continued involvement and contribution after achieving Austinite amongst our ranks. Congratulations, Toya Cirica Sustainer status is equally impressive. She has served as Bell, JLA’S 2020 Volunteer Extraordinaire! a Sustaining Advisor for the first Sustainer Engagement 44 The Junior League of Austin

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Leslie J. Bollier leads the

Anthony Antho Ciccone leads section. Anthony is

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in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Texas Super Lawyer, as published in Super Lawyers Magazine and Texas Monthly Magazine.

Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is rated AVPreeminent by Martindale-Hubbell.

He also provides volunteer legal services for military veterans.