Association of Junior Leagues International
We are proud to be part of the Association of Junior Leagues International, a worldwide effort to improve our communities and advance women’s leadership.
The concept of Junior League was formed more than a century ago in New York. Social activist Mary Harriman led a group of approximately 80 young women to establish a settlement house to provide safe, stable housing for immigrant communities. The idea of a volunteer organization of women contributing to their community quickly gained popularity.
In the more than 100 years since its founding, the Junior League has been instrumental in many issues and policies nationwide. Members advocated for the right to vote in the 1910s, strived to advance literacy for youth and adults, volunteered for war efforts, and more.
Notable women of The Junior League include child actress and U.S. ambassador Shirley Temple; chef and author Julia Child; Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Conner; and First Ladies Barbara Bush, Eleanor Roosevelt and Betty Ford.
Today, the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) encompasses more than 294 Leagues with more than 190,000 members.
Junior League of Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, our League began in 1934. Since then, we have continued the Junior League legacy with hundreds of women, including many notable female community and professional leaders.
The JLCR impact in Cedar Rapids is undeniable. Our past projects include:
- Expanded and Improved Educational and Interactive Opportunities (EIEIO) at Old MacDonald’s Farm
- Taylor Elementary Mentoring Project
- Child’s Celebration of the Arts
- Madge Phillips Center ($1.6 million campaign)
- Cedar Rapids Community School’s Rock and Read Program
- Leap Into Literacy program
- Science Station
- JLCR Puppet Show
- Leadership for Five Seasons
- Playtime Poppy Children’s Theatre of Cedar Rapids, now under the direction of the Children’s Theatre of Cedar Rapids
- Playtime Poppy, now under the direction of the Children’s Theatre of Cedar Rapids, was originally started in 1935 by JLCR
- Children’s Hands On Gallery
- YWCA Domestic Violence Advocacy Program
- Substance Abuse Prevention for Youth
- Neighborhood Watch
- Library Outreach
For the last decade, we have focused our efforts to support young people aging out of foster care. Learn more about our current efforts here.