Junior League of Manatee County

membership

A Note from the Junior League's President . . .

The Junior League of Manatee County is a volunteer organization of women dedicated to developing the potential of women, improving our community, and promoting volunteerism. We are a part of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) along with 294 other Junior Leagues in four countries comprised of over 200,000 volunteers. The first Junior League was founded in 1901 by Mary Harriman, at the age of 19, in the City of New York and comprised of 80 young women looking to improve the living conditions of immigrants living in the Lower East Side of the city. Over the years, the focus of the Junior Leagues has shifted to many different social, educational, health, and environmental issues. The Junior League of Manatee County, originally founded in 1978 as the Manatee County Service League, focuses on the needs of women and children.

During the 2006-2007 league year, the Junior League of Manatee County, will continue its focus on the welfare of women and children with two community projects. “Born To Read,” a Junior League community project in a collaborative effort with Meals on Wheels, will provide picture books and supplies to newborns in-need born in Manatee County. Our “Women In Strength Awards Luncheon” honors women in the community that have overcome difficult obstacles in their lives and have made a difference in the Manatee County Community. Over the last 5 years, the Junior League of Manatee County has invited the students at PACE Center for Girls to the awards luncheon and, each year, has honored a graduate from PACE. We are presently in the research and developing stage for a Children’s Literacy & Arts Fair which will take place during the 2007-2008 league year. Our league members have a 4-hour community service obligation each year which they are to fulfill by volunteering in community projects outside of Junior League. Our Community Affairs committee provides monthly volunteer opportunities by having contact with other non-profit organizations who are in need of manpower.

The Junior League of Manatee County will again host our Holiday Gift Market for fabulous shopping as a kick off to the holiday season. We have been running this fundraiser for twenty-two years. As our largest community fundraiser, we come together as a team of volunteers under the theme of “Teamwork: Together Everyone Achieves More.”