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