Junior League of Dallas history

By 1924-25, JLD membership had grown to 87 Active members, five Provisionals and four Transfers.

Junior League of Mobile (JLM) was founded in 1925, as the Mobile Charity League.

The first Provisional course with a training requirement began in 1926.

In 1929, an Investigation Committee chose to develop the state’s first occupational therapy department for children with disabilities at Scottish Rite Hospital.

In 1931, the Mobile Charity League was incorporated into the Association of Junior Leagues International and officially became the Junior League of Mobile (JLM).

By 1958, the number of Professional members – members who worked outside the home -grew to 32. “Holding a job and belonging to the League were pretty incompatible, both from the standpoint of practicality and the whole spirit of the thing,” wrote Kay Gaines in 1958.

JLD Members from the 1960’s

The Professional group also gained representation on the Board. “The real distinguishing aspect of the League is that it primarily exists to train us as members to become more effective leaders in our community,” wrote JLD President Rita Clements in 1969.

JLM “Follies” continued to be the primary fundraiser for the Mobile league until 1971.

By 1979, the JLD had 2,227 Active, Sustaining and Provisional members.

The 1982 Ball raised more than $600,000, the most of any money-raising event of any League in the Association of Junior Leagues.

The Center opened in 1983 and later became The Exploreum.

JLM moved into the building 1989.

The Visiting Nurse’s Association received its second $16,500 from the JLM. During the later 1990’s, the Visiting Nurses saw rapid growth averaging 2,942 visits to 229 patients annually The JLM received a gift through the will of Miss Mary A. Chandler.

In 1992, the JLD formalized and adopted seven position statements and affirmed five guiding principles.

JLD Volunteers at Habitat House in 1993

In 1994, the community program consisted of 52 projects that for the first time were grouped into six issue areas: Arts and Cultural Enrichment, Education, Family Preservation, Health, Poverty Intervention, and Violence Intervention.

In 1995, the JLD was voted the most influential civic group in the city by readers of The Dallas Business Journal and received the Distinguished Organization Service Award from the Women’s Council of Dallas County.

In 1997, the JLD held the first Community Volunteer Fair at NorthPark Center, collaborated with The LINKS to sponsor “Youth to Work Day,” and co-sponsored a Literacy Forum with the National Council of Jewish Women Greater Dallas Sector.

In 2002, the JLD hosted the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) Conference, marking the 100th anniversary of the Junior League movement in the United States.

In 2005, the JLD provided more than 200 volunteers to The Red Cross and The Salvation Army in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

In 2008, the T. Boone Pickens Foundation granted $250,000 for the JLD Leadership Institute.

The Advanced Track program continues to provide in-depth leadership and personal development training, a nine-month course since it was developed in 2009.