For 87 years, the Junior League of Pittsburgh has been a force for positive change in our community. We have a proud tradition of helping meet the needs in areas like children’s health, education, domestic violence and the arts. While our committee placements may change from year to year, we remain passionate and dedicated to living out our mission to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women and improve communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

What makes the Junior League of Pittsburgh what it is today is our countless hours of service doing what is absolutely needed and necessary. Building playgrounds in neighborhoods that are kid rich but playground poor, teaching children healthy eating habits and raising money to “start up” or expand organizations that are now institutions in Pittsburgh, from the Children’s Museum, the Caring Place, Vintage, Women’s Center and Shelter and now Strong Women Strong Girls.

We have so much to celebrate and we have so much to be proud of. We must also recognize that we have a responsibility and an opportunity as individuals and together as an organization to build on that tradition. We are fortunate to follow decades of forward-thinking women who have made this the vibrant, financially strong League that we are. So, thank you to our past leaders and sustainers for setting us on the right path. Thank you for embracing your lifetime membership in the Junior League of Pittsburgh. I truly hope that today’s active members remain as committed to our organization as you have so this league continues to offer exciting opportunities for personal growth and community service for my daughter and many generations of women to come.

While we will continue to honor our past, we will also build on our history by creating stronger connections throughout the organization which will extend beyond our committees, our membership status and our current circle of friends.

Some of the ways we will accomplish this are already in the works. We are, on the recommendation of last year’s Membership Development committee altering the provisional course so our newest members may join committees sooner, we are developing ways to re-engage the extraordinary women who are our sustainers, and will discuss how we can work better across functional areas

 We will continue to examine our organizational structure and make the necessary changes to ensure our future. We will learn more about our community, its needs and how the League can help.

As I mentioned before, we are very fortunate to have a financially strong league. We are in an enviable position but we need to ask ourselves – are we doing enough? When almost overnight – it seems the need has increased and so many of our neighbors need help – when our nation is experiencing the greatest economic challenge in 70 years -are we able to do more? This will require us to take a hard look at ourselves and what we’re willing to do.

I encourage all our members to celebrate the Junior League of Pittsburgh’s history by getting deeply involved in your committee’s work, sharing your opinions about the impact over 375 women can have in the community, and letting others know outside of the Junior League how your service and your training is improving the community. By telling your personal story, we will raise our profile as an effective community partner, collaborator and convener.