History

On May 26, 1926, Miss Kathleen Price (later Mrs. Joseph M. Bryan), her nine book club friends, and a selected group of 24 more young women met in the O. Henry Hotel’s Blue Room and organized the Greensboro Charity League. Its purpose was the giving of public service to worthy causes and the raising of money for such interests. In 1928 the Greensboro Charity League became the Junior League of Greensboro when it was accepted as a member league of the National Junior Leagues of America (now Association of Junior Leagues International). Since then the Junior League of Greensboro has dedicated 97 years of service to the Greensboro community. Our history is storied and rich:

“Let us not be afraid of the future. We all have possibility and capability of making our League the out-standing organization of the state. Let us remember the eyes of youth and age are upon us, and so let us conduct ourselves that we may be proud of every member, and that every member will be proud of being allied with the Junior League.”
— Maude Merrimon Wiggins, President 1928-1929

  • In 1928 the JLG sold, exclusively, Tubercular Seals. Tubercular Seals were stamps produced and sold during the holiday season to support charitable organizations that were researching treatments for tuberculosis. 
  • “As we make history we make progress. It is well for us at this time to pause and look frankly and fearlessly upon our efforts, and the results of our efforts. In this way, and in this way alone, we may determine what progress, if any, has been made and we may definitely fix the point to which we have traveled and from which we journey into the future.” Josephine R. Ward, President 1930-1931
  • In 1934 a proposal was approved to open the Junior League Gift and Antique Shop to support the community efforts of the League.
  • In 1935, the Junior League Gift and Antique Shop became known as the Junior League Thrift Shop. 
  • In 1935, the Junior League developed a partnership with the Greensboro News for a Milk Fund Drive. This partnership would raise funds to support the Junior League Baby Home, a facility for children. The partnership would also include a weekly column in the Greensboro Daily News to help the community understand and support the mission and work of the Junior League of Greensboro. 
  • During World War II (1941-1945), Junior League of Greensboro members were trained in nurses’ aid, motor corps, and case aid. One member became the County Chairman of the Women’s Division of the War Saving staff.
  • In 1941, the Junior League Ways and Means committee began the preliminary work of the first Junior League of Greensboro cookbook to be published as a fundraiser to support its community initiatives. 
  • In 1942 the first League cookbook, Out of Our League, was published.
  • In 1943 and 1944 the Junior League of Greensboro coordinated football games to raise money to support its mission.
  • As early as 1944 the JLG organized focus groups and conducted surveys of community needs. The committee tasked with this work would present their findings to the JLG and recommend possible community projects.
  • The Thrift Shop closed its doors during World War II, and reopened in 1947.
  • In 1947, the Thrift Shop became a League mainstay and changed its name again—this time for good—and celebrated the grand opening of the Bargain Box on Summit Avenue.
  • “The Greensboro Junior League has reached twenty-one, the age of maturity. In no way, however, does this mean that we shall stop growing or stop learning. With age comes an increased awareness of the community about us and of our responsibility as individuals and as a group toward it. Just as our accomplishment this year are the results not of the work of a few individuals but of the cooperation of all members: active, provisional, and sustaining, so it will be in the future.” Bennie Lee Inman, President 1948-1949
  • In 1949 the JLG started the Cerebral Palsy Training Center (now Gateway Education Center).
  • Elizabeth Wills Whittington, President 1950-1951, said “I think that each of you has a right to be proud of our record, because it is you who have made it.”
  • In 1951 the JLG created a television show with local station WFMY and in 1961, produced “Hi-Q” a television quiz show on current events for teens. 
  • In 1957 the JLG started the Junior Museum (now the Greensboro Science Center).
  • In 1961 the JLG partnered with and helped expand the Greensboro History Museum.

Visual Timeline

Scroll through the timeline to learn about the history, members, projects and community impact of The Junior League of Greensboro.