Since the beginning, Junior Leagues have been an integral part of communities. First formed in 1901, Mary Harriman, a 19-year-old New York City debutante with a social conscience, formed the Junior League for the Promotion of Settlement Movements. Harriman mobilized a group of 80 other young women, hence the name "Junior" League, to work to improve child health, nutrition and literacy among immigrants living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Since then, Junior Leagues began forming across the nation to serve the needs of their communities through the leadership and volunteerism of women. To date, more than 255 Junior Leagues are serving communities in the US and abroad. Where there is need, Junior Leagues are there.
With the recent news of the oil spill impacting so many communities along the Gulf Coast, there is no doubt we'll see Junior Leagues once again rise to the call for “help”.
In fact, in an email exchange this week with Michelle Ferreira, President of The Junior League of the Emerald Coast in Destin, she said. “I love the idea of donating some of our profits to assist the community clean up of the oil coming ashore”. While this will require a membership vote I have no doubt that this League along with many others such as Tampa, Sarasota, Panama City and others will be doing the same thing.
You see, these books are about and for the community. Editorially, they capture the personality and lifestyle of a community through content. They involve businesses in raising support for the development of the books and in selling the books as well—partnerships are formed and the community benefits from all of the profits of book sales.
The oil spill in The Gulf is simply one example of a community need. However, there are countless needs in every community in the US that organizations like the Junior League step up to meet. Yesterday, I wrote about the gas utility in Pensacola (ESP) publishing a community cookbook to support those citizens in need who couldn’t pay their utility bill. The spirit of volunteerism and working together in community remains unique to the USA and is alive and strong.
We certainly witnessed this spirit in Nashville immediately following the devastating flood that hit our area. You didn’t read of rioting and looting. Instead, you did hear about neighbors helping neighbors and strangers helping strangers in need. This humanitarian spirit is is exemplified in the many community cookbooks that are out there. Here are a few from the Gulf Coast region.
Bay Fetes - Junior Service League of Panama City, FL
Beyond the Bay - Junior Service League of Panama City, FL
Bay Leaves - Junior Service League of Panama City, FL
By Invitation Only - Junior League of Pensacola, FL
Bay Tables - Junior League of Mobile, AL
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