First President, Mrs. Kenneth Page

​History Highlights

1914

• Junior League of Springfield Day Nursery organized.
• Volunteers conducted classes in storytelling, cooking, sewing, and dancing.
• Funds for improvements and equipment raised through rummage sales, card parties, and dances.

1921

• Association of the Junior Leagues of America founded.       
• Springfield League applied for membership.

1922-1930

• Admitted to AJLA January 25, 1922.
• Expanded volunteer services to organizations other than Springfield Day Nursery.
• Provided services such as "Free Bed" program to Wesson Maternity Hospital.        
• Opened Salvage Shop on Market Street. Moved to State Street in 1927.
• Sponsored Children's Plays program which was active until 1935.
• Pre-school and pre-natal Dental Clinic opened at Springfield Hospital.
• Organized Speakers Bureau for Community Chest.
• Fundraising included Country Fair Dance, Immigration Ball, Sheik of Baghdad Ball, Artists Ball, Charity Ball, Fashion Shows.

1930-1939

• Dental Clinic moved to State Street.
• Sponsored Nutritionist for Springfield Nursing and Public Health Association.
• Worked in conjunction with Toy for Joy.        
• Established Jr. League Placement Bureau.
• Established Jr. League Musical Scholarship fund.
• Conducted a course in Social Case Work for volunteers under the direction of the Family Welfare Association.
• Provided financial and volunteer support to develop Maternal Health Office of Springfield.
• Provided volunteer and financial assistance to the Red Cross during flood disaster of 1936.
• Provided financial support to established Child Guidance Clinic and Springfield Girls Club.
• AJLA Field Representative conducted a survey to assist in planning future policy amid worldwide changes in 1939.
• Fundraising strategy changed in the 1930s. A Paderewski concert was held in place of Charity Balls, and Fashion Shows were discontinued.

1940-1949

• Concentrated more effort on volunteer services and agencies due to World War II.
• Sponsored home-making project at Springfield Girls Club. The project became self sufficient in 1948.
• Voted to support U.S.O.
• Established Wesson Maternity Hospital Program.
• Salvage Shop closed due to wartime conditions from 1943 to 1946.
• Contributed to the newly formed Springfield Symphony Orchestra with both Board and Corporation representation.
• Opened the Maternity Mart at Wesson Maternity Hospital.
• Sponsored marionette show for children at the George Walter Vincent Smith Museum.
• Celebrated the JLS 25th anniversary in 1947.
• Opened Consignment Shop and changed the name of the Salvage Shop to Thrift Shop in 1948.
• Held first Follies fundraiser in 1949, proceeds of $10,500 were contributed to the Charity Trust Fund Account.

1950-1959

• Formed Puppetry Committee to perform for various children's agencies.
• Moved Thrift and Consignment Shops to State Street; combined the shops to form the Budget Box in 1953. The Thrift Shop would serve as the JLS longest continuing service and fundraiser until closing in the spring of 1998.
• Maternity Mart taken over by Women's Auxiliary of Wesson Maternity Hospital.
• Founded Pre-school for Crippled and Handicapped Children called " The Junior Workshop" which opened in September 1955. The Junior Workshop was admitted into the United Fund (now the United Way) in 1962 and merged into the Springfield Day Nursery in 1963. The JLS received the United Cerebral Palsy award in 1955 for its founding of the Junior Workshop.
• Established Financial Advisory Committee.
• Reorganized Volunteer Services Program at Wesson Maternity Hospital with Auxiliary.
• Revised league bylaws, standing rules, created the position of 2nd Vice President.
• Celebrated 35th anniversary. Held Anniversary Ball.

1960-1970

• Continued Follies as fundraising activity through 1969.
• Continued Concert Series until 1969.
• Raised maximum age for admission to 35 in 1963.
• Sustaining membership sponsored Christmas Cotillions in 1960 and 1961.
• Terminated co-sponsorship of volunteer services program at Wesson Maternity Hospital in 1963.
• Moved the Budget Box to Worthington Street in 1963 and established the JLS headquarters in the Budget Box in 1964.
• Began the publication of the Community Directory as a project in 1962. Publication of the directory continued through 1986 when the JLS voted to assist the United Way in the publication of the "First Call" Directory.
• Sponsored the "Tutoring and Enrichment Program" for children in low income areas in cooperation with Northern Educational Services and the Springfield Action Commission. The project ran from 1964-1969.
• Members voted to give a sum of $3,000 to the black community in 1968 as a demonstration of trust and cooperation.
• Consignment was discontinued at the Budget Box in 1968.
• The "Haunted House" fundraiser was developed.

1970-1979

• Completed the Architectural Barriers Survey for Easter Seals.
• Established separate Community Research and Advisory Planning committees, Public Affairs committee.
• Began a food cooperative with the North End Community Center in 1971.
• Established Arts Resource Council.
• Appointed a volunteer business manager and hired a part-time secretary for JLS.
• Established a Day Care Center for Abused and Neglected Children with the Springfield Day Nursery in 1973.
• Voted $8,000 to establish an Infant-Toddler Day Care Center. Center was opened in December 1974 at Hope Church. A second protective Infant-Toddler Day Care Center was opened in the Fall of 1975 with the Springfield Day Nursery.
• Turned food cooperative over to North End Community Center in 1974.
• Gifted $5,000 to the Springfield Science Museum for the Touch and See Exhibit as the Bicentennial Gift to the city. The Touch and See room opened in 1976.
• Gateway School, an alternative school for teenage children, was opened in 1976 in conjunction with Youth Services Bureau, Springfield Juvenile Court, Springfield Police Dept, AIC, and Springfield College at the Springfield Girls Club. The League provided $20,000 in funding for the program. The school was closed in 1980.
• Established a Project Review and Development Committee, expanded the Financial Advisory Committee and renamed the Community Advisory Committee.
• Promoted "Love Springfield" Grand Prix Tennis Tournament with proceeds of $21,000.
• Adopted a new league logo, depicting the Springfield municipal buildings in 1979.
• Voted $15,000 for use by Springfield Central to develop a plan for the Riverfront. Implemented phase one of Riverdesign with a $17,000 grant from the Dexter Fund.
• Revised the league bylaws and standing rules.
• Established a one-year presidency in 1973, with automatic succession by the first vice president.
• Elected in 1976 to come under the Connable Bill to enable the league to lobby.

1980-1989

• Adopted new position statements on children and volunteerism in 1980. 
• Adopted a position statement on teenage pregnancy in 1982. 
• Approved JLS membership in the Teenage Pregnancy and Prevention Alliance in 1982. 
• Adopted statements on the arts, human rights, civic awareness, and the environment in 1988.
• Sponsored renovations to Court House Walk.
• Sponsored the Bob Hope Show as a fundraiser in 1981, realized no profit.
• Increased the maximum age for joining the Provisional Class to 40.
• Opened Library Resource Center in winter of 1980. Formed a Teenage Pregnancy Committee and incorporated the Library Resource Center into it.
• Provided $10,500 for the restoration of the Turtle Fountain in Stearns Square as a 60th anniversary gift to the city.
• Hosted a Woman’s Division II Basketball team during 1982-1984.
• Named "Advocate Organization of the Year" in 1983.
• Celebrated 50th anniversary of the Music Achievement Scholarships in 1984. The program ran through 1988. 
• Formed an Ad Hoc Budget Box Committee in 1984 to investigate alternative locations. Voted to sign an 10-year lease.
• Puppet troupe collaborates with Mass Dept. of Education to perform "Kids on the Block" to over 9,000 children. The play educates children about handicaps. The troupe performed from 1983 to 1987 and was revived again in 1995/1996.
• Sponsored several forums with TAPPA; helped establish a group to advocate for implementation of sexuality education in Springfield schools.
• Advocated on behalf of the establishment of the Children's Trust Fund.
• Began "Project LEAD" (Leadership Experience and Development) in 1985 and continued the project for three years.
• Held a Holiday Boutique, “Gifts and Glitter,”in 1985. Gifts and Glitter ran annually through 1994 providing over $200,000 for league programs throughout its 10-year life.
• Co-sponsored, with the League of Women's Voters, a "Candidates Forum" from 1986 to 1989.
• Adopted open admissions policy and shortened the Provisional course in 1987.
• Awarded $25,000 to Camps S.T.A.R. and Angelina for the purchase of a van for handicapped clients as a 65th anniversary gift in 1987.
• Continued support of A.S.A.P.
• Formed a coalition for the purpose of establishing a Ronald McDonald House in Springfield in 1988. $50,000 pledged to construct and furnish the playroom representing the JLS’s largest single gift to date.
• Provided initial funding for C.A.S.A. in 1988.
• Sponsored Youth Suicide Conference in spring 1989.

1990-1999

• Turned over complete publication of the First Call Directory to the United Way in 1990. 
• Sponsored the first gala to benefit the Ronald McDonald House in 1990. Sponsored the gala again in 1991, then turned the function over to the Ronald McDonald House Board.
• Continued support of A.S.A.P.
• Educated league membership on key issues facing the community as identified by the Community 2000 Task Force.
• Began the practice of using the December general membership meeting to fill and wrap needed items for local shelters.
• Ronald McDonald House opened in January 1991.
• Continued to provide funding for AIDS Teen Team and CASA.
• Celebrated the JLS 70th anniversary in 1992 by establishing the Sustainer of the Year Award. The first recipient was Helen (Bunny) Fuller. 
• Adopted Project Good Start in 1991, discontinued involvement in the project in 1993. 
• Adopted AJLI's Goal Centered Approach to Strategic Planning in 1992 and began the process of developing a JLS Focus Area.
• Adopted youth ages 7-17 as a focus area in 1993.
• Voted to keep the Budget Box open year-round in 1992. Also formed and Ad Hoc Budget Box Committee to analyze whether to change locations when the lease would end in 1994. Conducted market research in this area.
• Provided financial support to Ronald McDonald House in addition to the original $75,000 pledge. Financial support ceased in 1993. To date, several JLS members have served on the board and various House Committees.
• Provided funding of over $25,000 to CASA. Financial support also ceased in 1994, with members continuing to be active board members.
• Collaborated with Carew Hill Girls Club/Springfield Boys Club, Pioneer Valley Girl Scouts, and Springfield School Volunteers to sponsor Cheers for Young Volunteers, a recognition program for youth volunteers from 1993 to 1997.
• Acted as a business partner for the Frederick Harris School from 1994 through 1998.
• Moved the Budget Box to Belmont Avenue in 1995 and renamed the shop "Finders Keepers". Closed the shop in 1998 due to heavy competition from Goodwill and Salvation Army and the reliance on paid rather than volunteer staff to operate the store. Began research on developing a Thrift Shop without walls to continue providing this service to the community.
• Sponsored numerous done-in-a-day Projects such as the Thanksgiving Dinner at Ronald McDonald House and activities with Pioneer Valley Girl Scouts.
• Established a stationary fundraiser "Notes Etcetera" in 1995.
• Conducted Giant Tag Sales in 1994 and 1995.
• Held American Girl Doll fundraisers from 1997 to 1999.
• Held a Home for the Holidays home tour in 1997.
• Voted to amend the JLS focus to women and children in 1998 and adopted Prospect House Shelter as the 1998-2000 project.
• Provisional project for 1998-1999 consisted of renovation of a bedroom at the Prospect House Shelter.
• A playroom was built at Prospect House as the 1999 League project, and a gala at the newly restored Barney Carriage House was planned for fall 1998 to assist the project. 
• The "Harvest Ball" was established in 1999 as the JLS major fundraiser.      
• Eliminated all age criteria for entrance to the JLS and for eligibility to become a Sustaining member. Length of service (7 years) is now the criteria for becoming a Sustaining member. Established a Senior Active membership category.
• Reorganized from a Board to Executive Council structure to streamline operations.

2000-2009

• During November and December 2000, JLS financed the renovation of the Prospect House Shelter kitchen.
• In November 2000, 2001, and 2002, JLS held the “Festival of Trees” holiday boutique and fundraiser. In November 2003, JLGS hosted a Gifts & Glitter Holiday Boutique fundraiser. 
• JLS had a Spring Fling silent auction fundraiser in May 2001.
• JLS reestablished the Note Etcetera internal fundraiser in 2000
• JLS voted to support the R.E.A.C.H. Program as its community project for 2001-2002.
• JLS changed its name to the Junior League of Greater Springfield, Inc. (JLGS) in 2002.
• JLGS 2002 Provisional class project was BEE Clean, which provided education and dental screenings to almost 2000 at risk elementary school students in greater Springfield.
• JLGS launched its own website at www.jlgs.org. in 2002
• JLGS celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2002
• The 2002-2003 Provisional class organized a drive collecting essential items for the Open Pantry Teen Living Program. The class also put together “discharge baskets” for teenage mothers leaving the shelter to begin life on their own.
• In celebration of Volunteer Week in April and to increase publicity and awareness of JLGS, library exhibits were set up in area libraries in Agawam, West Springfield, Springfield (main), Wilbraham, Hampden, and Longmeadow in 2003.
• JLGS voted to support the following community projects: R.E.A.C.H., Bee Clean, Financial Literacy, Clothing for a Cause, and the Cancer House of Hope between 2002-2004
• JLGS launched an Oktoberfest Casino Night fundraiser in October 2004
• To increase the league’s visibility and to celebrate “Volunteer Month,” traveling exhibits featuring archival materials and memorabilia illustrating the league’s rich history were showcased in six area libraries in April 2004.
• R.E.A.C.H., Bee Clean, and Clothing for a Cause be transitioned to DIAD projects for the 2005-2006 year.
• The 2004-2005 Provisional Class created a labyrinth garden for the Cancer House of Hope.
• During the 2005-2006 year, JLGS supported the Cancer House of Hope, the Financial Literacy project, and supported many DIAD projects (Rays of Hope Walk, champagne pouring at the opening and closing season performances of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, Clothing for a Cause, collection of toiletries to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and other projects to help the community).
• The 2005-2006 Provisional Class built a brick walkway for the Cancer House of Hope.
• The JL Scholarship Committee was formed in 2005, and 22 high schools in 10 communities in the greater Springfield area received scholarship applications. In May 2006, $1,000 scholarships were awarded to two high school seniors.
• In 2006, JLGS participated in the new AJLI initiative Kids in the Kitchen, which addresses childhood obesity and teaches kids about good nutrition. More than 30 children in the Springfield REACH program received a cooking demonstration from a guest chef and learned how to prepare healthy snacks with the help of league volunteers. In addition, the league partnered with the “Go Fit” organization, which provides health and fitness opportunities to economically underprivileged and underserved youth and women in inner city and rural settings. “Go Fit” volunteers also presented their mentoring program to the children in REACH.
• Toiletry items were collected for the Springfield Rescue Mission’s “Hope Totes" in April 2006 & 2008.
• JLGS held a Cinco de Mayo fundraiser at the Longmeadow Country Club in May 2006.
• League members participated in the United Way’s Day of Caring, shopping and delivering items for a picnic for developmentally challenged adults in September 2006,
• JLGS celebrated its 85th anniversary with a luncheon at the Longmeadow Country Club in May 2007.
• JLGS held its second “Cinco de Mayo” fundraiser at the Colony Club in 2007. 
• JLGS continued its partnership with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, helping usher in the season with a champagne pour in October 2007.
• A holiday luncheon was held for the children and families at the Springfield Ronald McDonald House in December 2007.
• JLGS held the Spring into Fashion fashion show at the Hampden Country Club in April 2008.
• JLGS conducted two DIADs: the creation and donation of holiday gift baskets for the Prospect House shelter, and clean-up at the Westfield Free Clinic in preparation of the clinic’s grand opening in January 2009.
• JLGS held its second fashion show “Sustaining Style” at the Springfield Country Club in April 2009.
• JLGS continued its promotion of Kids in the Kitchen with a healthy eating event at the Gray House in May 2009,
• JLGS established an online presence by launching the JLGS Facebook page in October 2009

2010-2020

• During the early spring of 2010, JLGS launched an online fundraiser with the “Flower Power” Spring bulb sale.
• JLGS held its annual Kids in the Kitchen healthy eating event for the children at the Gray House in 2010 & 2012
• In November 2010, the league launched the Every Little Bottom diaper drive DIAD, in conjunction with other Junior Leagues across the county, to bring awareness of the need for diapers for infants and toddlers in many communities. The program was sponsored by Huggies. The inaugural event was a huge success, collecting 6,000 diapers for young families affiliated with the league’s community partner, the Gray House.
• A second "Every Little Bottom”diaper drive was held in April 2011, collecting an additional 4,000 diapers for the benefit of children in Springfield’s North End community.
• JLGS held annual tag sale events in 2010 and 2011. 
• JLGS held two diaper drives, collecting close to 10,000 more diapers for the Gray House in 2011-2012.
• JLGS members staffed the WGBY phone lines during a fund drive in March 2012 & 2013.
• JLGS volunteered with the Children's Museum at Holyoke for the Boo Race in Holyoke in October 2012.
• JLGS filled welcome bags for the women of Safe Passage at our Holiday Party in December 2012
• JLGS held our annual Huggies "Every Little Bottom" Diaper drive, to benefit Square One, Springfield in May, 2013.
• The Provisional 2012-2013 Class collected over 300 pairs of shoes to donate to Dress for Success in Springfield, MA. In addition, the Provisional Class helped revamp the shoe boutique at the Worthington Street DFS location.
• JLGS Diaper Drive 2014, raised 5,800 diapers to help benefit Square One. 
• JLGS holds the first Annual Beer and Wine Tasting Event to raise funds for the JLGS Scholarship Program in June 2014.
• JLGS members volunteer to sort food items for Lorraine's Soup Kitchen in Chicopee in September 2014
• JLGS made Turkey Food Collection Boxes and dropped off OVER 800 POUNDS of food to Neighbors Helping Neighbors the South Hadley Food Pantry in November/December 2014
• JLGS collects many toys and books for the Holyoke Police Department Toy Drive during our 2014 & 2015 annual Holiday Party.
• The Provisional 2014-2015 worked with Christina's House, a home that develops the needs women and children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, create balanced and budget friendly meal planning.  
• JLGS DIADs included volunteering at Kate's Kitchen, reading at the Springfield Children's Museum for Dr. Suess in 2015.
• JLGS partnered with Holyoke Public Schools Backpack Program to provide 165 homeless children with food bags in April 2015.
• JLGS donated nearly 5,000 Diapers at our Diaper Drive for Square One in November 2015.
• JLGS made Turkey Food Collection boxes which benefited Neighbors Helping Neighbors in South Hadley and the Easthampton Food Bank in November 2015.
• JLGS  renovated and painted a women & children's shelter in Springfield in May 2016.
• JLGS hosted an Annual Beer & Wine Tasting fundraiser again in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019 to benefit the scholarship program. Each event successfully raised more than $4000- the minimum amount needed to cover the cost of each scholarship award
• The Little Red Bookshelf project was discussed and coordinated in the Fall of 2016, and on January 1, 2017, the Little Red Bookshelf project started in five community locations
• JLGS DIADs included volunteering at the Food Bank of Western MA, Dress for Success, & dinners at RMH between 2017-2018.
• The JLGS Provisional Class held an educational Panel to address Sex & Human Trafficking in June of 2018.
• JLGS DIADs included volunteering with Food Bank of Western MA, Dress for Success, Help Our Kids, & RMH dinners 2018-2019.
• JLGS partnered with Reader to Reader in an effort to collect more books for LRB in March of 2019.
• JLGS DIADs included dorm painting at Friends of the Homeless in Springfield, volunteering at the Food Bank of Western MA, volunteering at Dress for Success tag sales, multiple projects for Help Our Kids, Inc, (making no-sew baby blankets, stuffing backpacks & duffel bags), dinner and event nights at the Ronald McDonald House, and more. 
• JLGS tried a new approach to fundraising in 2019-2020, creating numerous smaller fundraising events in an effort to try a new tactic outside of Beer & Wine. Events included the sale of JLGS swag, Board & Brush events and a fundraising day with EB's.

2020- Present

• JLGS held it's first, very successful, Purse Bingo fundraiser in February 2020.
• The JLGS Provisional Class held a DIAD event to stuff over 90 backpacks for Girls, Inc.  in 2020
• In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, members gathered together to provide hot meals to first responders and the Ronald McDonald House.  In addition, gift cards & essential items (like sanitary products & PPE) were collected and/or purchased to provide to community partners like Help Our Kids and Square One in 2020.
• JLGS awards 2 scholarships in 2021 to two very deserving recipients!
• JLGS celebrated its Centennial Year beginning in September of 2021 and ending in June of 2022.  
  • September 2022: Centennial Kickoff Dinner Celebration at the Longmeadow Country Club, Painting at Girls, Inc.
  • October 2022: Read Aloud Event at the Holyoke Merry Go Round
  • November 2022: 100 Years, 100 Books Contest received almost 200 entries and awarded 200 books to the top three entries: Congratulations to Ms. Harris' 2nd Grade Class at DeBerry Elementary!, JLGS Supports the Boys & Girls Club at the Festival of Trees
  • December 2022: JLGS Participated in the Hot Chocolate Run for Safe Passage, JLGS Stuffed Nearly 100 Duffel Bags with Necessities for Help Our Kids, Inc.
  • January 2023: JLGS Fundraiser at Board & Brush Somers, JLGS Sent Valentines to Veterans
  • February 2023: JLGS Virtual Purse BINGO Fundraiser
  • March 2023: Celebrated past JLGS presidents through social media campaign
  • April 2023: JLGS FIRST EVER Favorite Read 5k at Ashley Reservoir!
  • May 2023: JLGS Centennial Showcase Celebration Event & Annual Dinner at the Barney Estate & Carriage House. Annual scholarship winner awarded!