HISTORY OF JLPSDC

In 1901, in New York City, Mary Harriman, together with eighty-five other women, founded The Junior League for the Promotion of Settlement Movements; this was later shortened to The Junior League as their mission broadened and other cities organized Leagues. Early League projects included the establishment of orphanages, programs in the arts, dental health for children, home nursing, and the creation of parks and playgrounds. To learn more, please see www.AJLI.org.

To conitnue the tradition in the desert, young women in the community were invited to an informational meeting in January 1990 at the Stouffer Esmerelda Resort to learn about the Junior League and to discuss the possibility of forming our own league in the area. Over fifty people attended this event hosted by Guion Stewart-Moore and the Junior League Sustainers of the Desert in particular, Jane Foster and Linda Thibault.

The President of the Junior League of Los Angeles was on hand. She showed a video tape about their Junior League and answered questions. Jane Foster, at that time, President of the local Sustainers talked about the need for a Junior League to be formed in the Desert. She explained that over the years, Sustainers from Junior Leagues around the country (and the world for that matter) have settled in the Coachella Valley. They had been conducting monthly meetings during the season and wanted to "give back to their winter community". What they had found out was that Sustainers could not legally solicit funds for charities under the auspices of the Junior League unless they were affiliated with a member of the AJLI (Association of Junior Leagues International). Since so many of this group were from the JL of Los Angeles, they decided to become a branch of that league. Annually, the Sustainers pay their dues to the JL of Los Angeles as well as their "hometown" Junior League.

At the January 1990 meeting, Mrs. Stewart-Moore talked about the possibility of forming a Junior League. She had been a member of several Leagues since her husband was transferred frequently due to business (he was General Manager of the Stouffer Resort). With the move to the desert, in order to open the Stouffer Hotel, Mrs. Stewart-Moore wanted to get involved in the community. Looking through the Desert Sun newspaper, she saw that there was going to be a meeting of the JL Sustainers. Figuring that there must be a Junior League here, she called and was surprised to find out there was none.

Further, at the January 1990 meeting, Mrs. Stewart-Moore talked about wanting to form a Junior League. She had been in touch with AJLI and had received an information packet explaining the various steps that needed to be done. She talked about the formation of the Junior Service League (being a Service League for five years to prove ourselves to AJLI before we could become members). She then asked for women who would be interested in forming such a group. The interested people met once a month until May to form a committee structure, write bylaws, and incorporate as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. In May 1990, JLPSDC voted its first Executive Committee.

Do you want to join other women making a difference in our community? Do you have an interest in and commitment to volunteerism?

If so, please join us at our local monthly meetings to learn more about the JLPSDC. See Membership to learn about the benefits of membership. Please see the JLPSDC Master Calendar, for event information, but also, please confirm by reviewing the Announcements page for any relevant changes such as meeting location.