Elinor Bright Richardson, Elinor Bright Petagna and Adele Bright Petagna at JLNO’s 75th Anniversary celebration. Photo submitted by: JLNO Archives
Mark your calendars! Save the Date!
In honor of the Junior League of New Orleans’ legacy of service to the Greater New Orleans Area, the League is hosting a Roaring Twenties festive brunch at Canal Place on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 12 p.m. In true New Orleans fashion, costumes are encouraged.
The soirée is appropriately themed, as JLNO was founded March 31, 1924. From its earliest days, some of the League’s most impactful programs were born. The Nutrition Center focused on providing accessible proper nutrition to the community’s most vulnerable children. The popular Bloomin’ Deals Thrift Shop was opened in 1927 in the French Quarter. Its location changed over the years, but it remained a moniker in the New Orleans community for nine decades. Other initiatives, like the Puppet Program and Children’s Theatre Program, leveraged the arts and humanities as an educational tool. These projects will be highlighted at the celebration, along with the other key programs supported by the League since 1924.
Jessica Schulman, one of the 95th Anniversary Celebration Co-Chairs, says each decade’s achievements will be fêted, as will our members’ efforts. After founding with only 40 members, the Junior League of New Orleans is now the ninth largest Junior League in the world out of 291 Leagues organizations. There are now over 2,100 Provisional, Active and Sustaining members, so there is much to celebrate.
Jessica says the League plans to invite the past recipients of the Woman Entrepreneur (WE) Fellowship to take part in the event. The WE Fellowship, which started in 2016, is a year-long program that supports a female business owner by providing a grant, in-kind services and mentoring to aid in her professional success and improve her economic opportunities.
“There are so many things the League was and is involved in that people do not know about,” says Jessica Davidson, also Co-Chair of the 95th Anniversary. “We want to celebrate the League’s achievements and also inform our members and the community about what the Junior League does.”
JLNO President Alice Glenn will be one of the emcees at the brunch. She says the reason for the League’s sustained community impact is their ability to adapt, coupled with effective training opportunities.
“There are so many non-profits and volunteer organizations that women can be a part of, but what sets the Junior League apart is that it is a training organization. We are training women to be community leaders,” Alice says.
As part of the day’s programming on May 19th, the League will hold its “Passing of the Gavel” ceremony, where Alice will be succeeded by President-Elect Christine Vinson. For those who have not observed this rite before, it is an opportunity to watch the President’s gavel being passed from hand to hand of each Past President in attendance until it resides in the hand of the President-Elect.
“It is a really fun tradition seeing the community of support and the pride that these women have in the League,” Alice says.
Tickets to the event will be sold in advance. As details are finalized, updates will be made available to League members and the community. Canal Place merchants have partnered with the League to offer discounts to brunch attendees, and participating stores will be announced as the celebration date approaches.
“This is going to be a fabulous day of brunching with current and sustaining JLNO members and community partners while celebrating the last 95 years!” says Jessica Schulman.
Cheers to 95 more, JLNO!
LNO member at the 75th Anniversary celebration. Photo submitted by: JLNO Archives
Frances Gray Fayard, Ella Montgomery Flower and Anne Flower Redd at the 85th Anniversary celebration. Photo by Natalie Root Photography
JLNO ladies enjoying the 70th Anniversary celebration. Photo submitted by: JLNO Archives
JLNO’s 70th Anniversary celebration. Photo submitted by: JLNO Archives
