Contact:  

Brittany Fellin, Communications VP 

Junior League of Lancaster 

1130 Marietta Avenue 

Lancaster, Pennsylvania 17603 

Email: communications@jllancaster.com 

Junior League of Lancaster to Celebrate 100 years of Community 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

LANCASTER, PA – October 24, 2023 – The Junior League of Lancaster (JLL) is gearing up for an extraordinary milestone as it approaches its 100th anniversary on November 13, 2023. This date holds immense significance in the league’s history, as it marks not only a century of dedicated service but also the exact day when the league held its first meeting in 1923. In a fitting tribute to this historical moment, the JLL will hold its General Membership Meeting (GMM) on November 13th, 2023, at the YWCA.

The YWCA, which hosted the JLL’s very first meeting back in November 1923, serves as a poignant reminder of the league’s humble beginnings. This historic location is where fifty-five pioneering young women convened, with Laura Louise Watt serving as the temporary chairman and being subsequently elected as the first JLL president. It was here that the seeds of the JLL were sown, and its mission to develop the leadership potential of women for the betterment of the Lancaster community took root.

Over the past century, JLL’s dedicated members have achieved remarkable results through their hard work and commitment, making a lasting impact on the community. From preserving historical properties like Rock Ford to raising funds for Wheatland’s restoration, the league has consistently demonstrated its commitment to the welfare of Lancaster County. The JLL’s long history of voluntarism in areas such as education, literacy, and cultural enrichment further underscores the organization’s role in shaping the community’s development.

As of June 2022, the JLL’s current initiative is focused on addressing Food & Nutrition Accessibility, seeking to combat the lack of access to healthy and nutrient-rich food while enhancing nutrition knowledge and dietary habits for all segments of Lancaster County’s population. The initiative includes a multifaceted approach, with JLL members collecting 1,500 manual can openers for the Lancaster Power Packs Project, raising funds to support the initiative, setting up pop-up produce markets, and undertaking the establishment and maintenance of a community garden at the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster’s Jack Walker Clubhouse in downtown Lancaster.

This initiative exemplifies the league’s enduring commitment to addressing pressing community needs. As part of the Food & Nutrition Accessibility program, the JLL continues to collaborate with local organizations to make nutritious food more accessible and to improve nutrition knowledge and dietary habits across all demographics in Lancaster County.

Hannah Funk, President of the Junior League of Lancaster, PA, shared her enthusiasm for the upcoming centennial celebrations, stating, “So much has changed in the last 100 years–in the world, the county, and the League–yet one thing remains the same: the Junior League of Lancaster is dedicated to training women and making a positive impact in our community. We are so excited to celebrate our achievements over the past 100 years, while also ensuring our commitment to training and the community for the next 100 years.” 

The JLL’s General Membership Meeting on November 13th, 2023, at the YWCA is a meaningful tribute to the organization’s historical roots and provides an opportunity for members to come together, just as they did a century ago, to celebrate their achievements and look forward to many more years of service to the Lancaster community.

To mark this momentous occasion, the JLL has scheduled a series of commemorative events throughout the year, including the centennial jubilee on Saturday, June 1, 2024, at the Fulton Theater. At this event, active and sustaining members, along with community partners, will come together to celebrate the JLL’s impact and look ahead to many more years of service to the Lancaster community.

For those interested in learning more about the Junior League of Lancaster and how to become part of this community-based organization, please visit https://www.jllancaster.org/joining-the-junior-league-of-lancaster/.

###  

ABOUT THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF LANCASTER 

Established in 1923, the Junior League of Lancaster is an organization of women dedicated to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Junior League members actively assess community needs, conduct issue-based research, and identify areas where they can make the most significant impact in the local ecosystem. The JLL’s current initiative, as of June 2022, is Nutrition Insecurity, aimed at addressing the lack of access to healthy and nutrient-rich food while improving nutrition knowledge and dietary habits across all populations in Lancaster County. For a century, the JLL has identified the needs of its area and rallied to provide meaningful and lasting improvements. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

For more information about the League’s projects, programs, and fundraisers, please visit the League’s website at www.jllancaster.org.