®
Century of Service
CELEBRATING
More than one S
ince its inception in 1914, the Junior League of Detroit has made its mark on the city of Detroit’s people and culture. For more than one hundred years, JLD members have committed themselves to identifying challenges, developing strategies, and pro-actively putting solutions into place that make change happen. They have responded to a changing and dynamic city throughout the decades and have answered the many needs of its people. The Designers’ Show House is a major part of this process, raising the necessary dollars that allows the JLD to make an impact on the community. Thank you for supporting the JLD and join us as we prepare for another one hundred years of service.
The
Beginning
Detroit in 1914 was booming. Ford Motor Company’s assembly line and the announcement of a $5, 8-hour day were revolutionary and a looming World War I created a new awareness of the importance of women in the workforce and society. Just a few years later, in 1919, women would earn the right to vote. It was into this exciting and turbulent time that the Junior League of Detroit was born. Fortyseven women joined forces in 1914 to found the JLD, led by our first president, Mrs. Paul Weadock. The JLD’s first project reflected the changing times for Detroit’s working women.
100 YEARS OF SERVICE
Ø 1978: Secured the Apollo Command Module Emergency Egress Trainer for the Detroit Science Center, on permanent loan from the Smithsonian Ø 1982: Partnered on the Hospice Awareness Project, including the award winning video “Hospice: A Shared Experience” Ø 1989: Developed a Parent Training Program and published a Parenting Skills Manual in support of the Focus Hope Center for Children
JLD Braille Training 1929 questions. There have been many highlights throughout the past 100 plus years, including: Ø 1922: Founded the Detroit League for the Handicapped – now called Adult Well-Being Services Ø 1930: Opened the Training Cottage for the Blind in partnership with Helen Keller Ø 1948: Established Pioneer House, a home for emotionally disturbed children Ø 1964: Opened the Poison Control Project in partnership with the Detroit Children’s Hospital. The project received the National Safety Council’s highest award in 1965
In 1915, the JLD established a lunchroom for working girls on Woodward Avenue between John R and Grand Circus Park. The lunchroom provided nutritious and economical meals as well as a place where working women could relax, talk and be secure. Lunch cost 6 cents.
Ø 1971: Developed Operation LINC (Linking Individuals to Needs in the Community), with the purpose of linking inner-city groups in need of help with organizations that could provide assistance. In 1978, LINC became a successful and independent agency
Since that first project, JLD members have always strived to identify areas and communities with under served needs and to match their skills and energies with projects and programs that can fill those needs and answer the unanswered
Ø 1977-1981: Assisted and funded several significant projects on Belle Isle, including the opening of the Nature Center, the Belle Isle Playscape, and the construction of a sensory nature trail
Junior League of Detroit
Ø 1994: Established a Pediatric Mobile Team with Children’s Hospital of Michigan Since the mid-1990s, the JLD has chosen to dedicate its financial and volunteer resources to specifically focus on the children of Detroit and their families. Projects following that refocus included sponsoring and mentoring a classroom of children at Cornerstone Schools and the establishment of the new Learning Center at the Monteith Branch of the Detroit Public Library. In the past several years, the JLD’s membership has concentrated their efforts on the basic needs of Detroit’s children and their families, with a special emphasis on nutrition and health. Project EAT provides and supports healthy eating opportunities for the children of Detroit and their families.
JLD Pediatric Mobil TeamDr. Tessa Holtrop 1995
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