President Maria Pardo Huete is asking everyone in JLNO to #BeAHero this year. She doesn’t mean don spandex and a mask to avenge evil. (Though, I mean, if you want to, I’m not here to stop you!) What Maria means is to make decisions and put forth efforts that impact the lives of others in a positive way. In her fall letter to Lagniappe, she relays a story of a kind woman who sat with her after she was in a car accident. Thirty years after the incident, Maria explains that the simple action has stayed with her to this day. She wants the Junior League of New Orleans’ actions to have an impact on the lives of others like that kind woman impacted her own.
And it would seem great minds think alike! Throughout the past few months, we looked to other Junior Leagues’ social media to see what they were up to and lo and behold, they, too, were being heroes! While they did not necessarily use the phrase “Be a Hero,” their Leagues encouraged and promoted impacting their communities in a positive light.
Our neighbor League to the west, Junior League of Baton Rouge, uses the hashtag #BeACatalyst. This hashtag encourages Baton Rouge women to “work toward lasting community change” by joining the Junior League.
The Junior League of Shreveport Bossier City uses the hashtag #IAmJLSB to spotlight various League members and activities in which they participate. With this hashtag, JLSB spotlighted the League receiving an award for their great service, members zip-lining at a leadership retreat and members named to the 40 Under 40 list.
It’s not just Louisiana Leagues being heroes. The Junior League of Birmingham has a #IAmTheJLB series highlighting its members and their placements and other community involvement. Headshots of members are featured quotes relaying their experiences. Stories range from caring for children, supporting victims at a crisis center, and brainstorming with fellow members about ways to impact the community.
Whether we are heroes, catalysts or simply members of a Junior League, it is evident that even just being a member carries a great weight in the community. Junior League members around the state, the South, the nation and even the world are leaving their impressions on their respective communities.
