About

WHO WE ARE

ORGANIZATION MISSION

The Junior League of Greenville, NC is a non-profit organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

COMMUNITY IMPACT STATEMENT

To decrease hunger and food insecurity in the Greenville community and help foster physical activity and healthy eating habits.

Junior League Members
Junior League Members Shopping

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

We believe that creating and sustaining a diverse Membership is critical to our Mission. Living the value of diversity means we are committed to centering equity, inclusion, and belonging in our individual, organizational, and community relationships.

VISION STATEMENT

The Junior League of Greenville, NC, is an organization with the shared goal of creating a group of women leaders dedicated to empowering one another, positively impacting our community, and fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

Letter From The President

Greetings! 


My name is Lauren Thorn, and I’m thrilled to serve as the 15th president of the Junior League of Greenville, NC. While we joined the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) in 2017, our league has been active in our community and making a difference since 2010. This important work includes raising awareness about food insecurity and encouraging physical activity, leading fundraising campaigns to support our community partners, and volunteering our time through a variety of activities and philanthropic efforts.


The theme for the 2024-2025 League year is “Developing Women To Do A World Of Good.” This phrase is part of the larger AJLI rebrand, and I personally love the focus on how we develop our members. Throughout the upcoming year, I am excited to have a renewed emphasis on leadership programming, connecting with women who are living examples of leadership and service in our community, and empowering our current members to take on new roles through their personal and professional lives. 



And while we are certainly in the business of “developing women,” we know that all of that work allows us to do a “world of good”—in our community, partnering with other leagues within North Carolina, and as a member of a global organization like AJLI, which now boasts almost 300 leagues across six countries. Through regular volunteer opportunities like our Backpack Buddies program that supports local students, cooking breakfast at Community Crossroads Center, helping pack boxes at the Beast Philanthropy Warehouse, bagging produce at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC, and greeting shoppers on the Ripe for Revival Mobile Market—all of these activities give our members the opportunity to support amazing organizations around Greenville and Pitt County. 


There are multiple ways to serve your community, though, and The Junior League of Greenville, NC, boasts several signature events and fundraisers that align with our mission and organizational goals. This year, those will include:


  • Fall Fundraiser: We are returning to a large-scale fundraising event this year! Stay tuned for more details about this exciting evening that you won’t want to miss.
  •  Volunteer Expo: In January 2025, our League will host our fourth annual Volunteer Expo at the Convention Center.  The Volunteer Expo will connect organizations that make a difference in our community with community members who are looking to become civically engaged.  Modeled after a job fair, the Volunteer Expo will be held at the Convention Center and feature up to 70 local community organizations seeking volunteers, board members, and special project assistance (e.g. website design).  The event will be free for participating community organizations and members of the public. 
  • Mid-Year Retreat: In late January/ early February, our League will host our third annual mid-year retreat for members.  Mid-year retreat will provide an opportunity for our members to learn more about their personal leadership style, and we encourage all of our members to participate.
  •  Little Black Dress Initiative: During the spring, members will again have the opportunity to participate in a week-long initiative to raise awareness about food insecurity and the importance of proper nutrition in Eastern North Carolina and to raise funds to support the League and its work to make strategic philanthropic investments to address these areas.  Members participating in the Little Black Dress initiative wear the same dress for a consecutive five-day period and participate in service opportunities. 


Thank you for visiting our website, and I hope that you will join me in participating in as many of these initiatives as possible!

HISTORY

The Junior League of Greenville, NC (formerly JWA Greenville) is an entirely volunteer-run organization of over 100 women committed to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. We offer a wide range of sponsorship opportunities and invite you to join us in our ongoing efforts to address our community’s most urgent needs while preparing local women for a lifetime of civic leadership.


Since 2010, JL Greenville NC has provided critical support to community projects, programs, and partners that impact the lives of women, children, and families throughout Greenville and Pitt County. In that time, our direct fundraising efforts have allowed us to gift over $160,000 to different local organizations, including The Ronald McDonald House, RHA Howell Center, The Food Bank of ENC, The Boys & Girls Club of Pitt County, Habitat for Humanity, and Literacy Volunteers.

VISION STATEMENT

Junior League Group Photo

2024-2025 BOARD MEMBERS


President: Lauren Thorn

President Elect: Jerrika Alston

Secretary: Brittany Robinson

Treasurer: Maura Shrader

VP of Communications: Frances Manning

VP of Community Impact: Emma Hodson

VP of Fund Development: Chandler Whitley

VP of Membership: Summer Edwards

VP of Nominating: Amy Becker


Pictured is the 2023-2024 Board, a new board photo is coming soon!


Past Presidents


2010-2011 - Elise Gay

2011-2012 - Meredith Hinton

2012-2013 - Jessica Davis

2013-2014 - Stephanie Bunn

2014-2015 - Missy Clark

2015-2016 - Courtney Steed

2016-2017 - Laura Mulkey

2017-2018 - Betsy Criscitiello

2018-2019 - Anna Logemann

2019-2020 - Emily McLamb

2020-2021 - Erika Taylor

2021-2022 - Emma Hodson

2022-2023 - Lauren Lumley

2023-2024 - Katie Butler

Association of Junior Leagues International


The Junior League of Greenville is a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International.


AJLI's VALUES


  • Diversity: We believe that creating and sustaining a diverse Membership is critical to our Mission. Living the value of diversity means we are committed to centering equity, inclusion, and belonging in our individual, organizational, and community relationships.
  • Collaboration: We believe lasting societal change is achieved through both collaboration and meaningful disagreement. Living the value of collaboration inspires us to accomplish more together.
  • Community: We believe a strong sense of community is essential to human well-being. Living the value of community provides a foundation of inclusion, which allows us to make a greater impact on the world around us.
  • Empowerment: We believe that the empowerment of women is a necessary requirement to create positive, lasting societal change. Living the value of empowerment fosters trust and confidence in each other.
  • Leadership: We believe in the unique power of women’s leadership abilities to transform communities for the better. Living the value of leadership allows us to make a collective difference.
  • Respect: We believe respect is a fundamental human right. Living the value of respect instills in us an unconditional positive regard for others.
  • Service: We believe it is through service that we build core relationships with others. Service is the lens through which we decide how we will invest our time and resources. Living the value of service empowers us as catalysts for lasting community change.


AJLI's PURPOSE


The purpose of The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc. is to add value to its member Leagues in their fulfillment of The Junior League Mission.

THE POWER OF ASSOCIATION


Founded in 1901 by New Yorker and social activism pioneer Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, making a demonstrable impact on their communities. In 1921 the Leagues joined forces as an association, which is today known as The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., in order to bolster their power and amplify their voice through shared knowledge and common causes.

True to their mission, today’s League members work at the forefront of social reform, tackling the toughest and most critical issues of the day—including childhood nutrition and obesity, human trafficking, foster care, juvenile justice, teen self-esteem, cybercrimes, literacy and the environment, among others—for the purpose of enhancing the social, cultural and political fabric of civil society.


As a result of this work, The Junior League—and the more than 125,000 women in over 295 communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico who comprise its ranks—has amassed an archive of tangible results and a reputation as thoughtful and influential change agents dedicated to the public good.

Today AJLI is a charitable nonprofit organization that provides continuity and support, guidance, and leadership development opportunities to its member Leagues. Through regional, national and international meetings, comprehensive resources, customized consultations, and League and member benefits, it supports its member Leagues in the fulfillment of The Junior League’s Mission. AJLI is governed by a Board of Directors, which is accountable to the Leagues and comprised of women who are members of the Junior Leagues in their communities. The Association's New York City-based staff, under the leadership of the Executive Director, provides services to Leagues that support the established goals.


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