Finding aid for the Junior League of Cleveland Records, Series II

History of the Junior League of Cleveland

The Junior League of Cleveland was organized in 1912 by a small group of Cleveland, Ohio, women who were encouraged by a lecture by Miss Sarah Lawrence of Boston, Massachusetts, to begin a Junior League in their own city. Junior Leagues were already well established in cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago. There was an awareness among these women that many charities were not closely enough in touch with social problems, and they felt a need for cooperation through such agencies as the Junior League.

During the Cleveland League's first year, 1912-1913, sixty-seven "young ladies of leisure and opportunity" actively investigated volunteer opportunities in Cleveland, and prepared themselves as trained volunteers. The purpose of the Junior League at these beginning stages was to find work for which each of its members were suited and to give incentives for the faithful performance of that work. Early committees were involved with public health, settlements, children, working girls, entertainment, and the Associated Charities. Among the members of the first executive committee were: Mrs. Amasa Stone Mather, president; Mrs. Harold T. Clark, vice-president; Miss Marie Wing, secretary and treasurer; Mrs. Chester Bolton; Mrs. John Garfield; Madame John Pelenyi; Mrs. Robert Bishop; Mrs. Albert Gowen; and Mrs. Parmely Herrick. The first advisory committee was composed of: Miss Belle Sherwin, Miss Alice Knapp, Miss Effie Childs, Mrs. Frank Teagle, Mrs. Henry S. Sherman, and Mrs. Malcom McBride.

In 1914, the Junior League has its first office on the third floor of the Birmingham Building at 5607 Euclid Avenue. A clubroom was opened in 1929 in the Allerton Hotel on 13th Street. In 1930 the office and clubroom were moved to the penthouse of the Union Commerce Building, and, in 1959, to the sixth floor of The Halle Brothers Company at 1228 Euclid Avenue.

The Junior League has been an organization that responds to community needs. During its early years a major League project was the establishment of the League House as a low-rent residence for working women in 1919. The property, which was located at 2344 Prospect Avenue, was purchased by Mrs. Dudley Blossom and Mrs. Chester Bolton, and turned over to the League in trust. The League House was finally closed in 1946. During the Great Depression, League members manned milk stations, and established what became the Central Volunteer Bureau. The Junior League Players and the Settlement Dramatic Committee brought the theater to thousands of Cleveland children during the 1930s. During World War II Junior Leaguers staffed Red Cross offices, managed the Bond drive, entertained servicemen, and placed volunteers for the office of Civilian Defense. Further enriching the community with their talent and creativity, the League established the Radio Committee in 1939 and the "Wizard of Music" radio series from 1949-1952, along with the organization of the puppet committee in 1949 which used puppets as therapy and entertainment projects for all age groups. More recently Junior League members have been involved with area centers treating alcoholism and the physically and emotionally handicapped, and with Cleveland cultural and educational institutions.

Musical revues and theatrical performances, with original scripts and scores, have been a high priority for the Junior League, with the substantial proceeds going toward funding community projects. The first follies, "Jacks and Jills", was produced in 1926, followed by another in 1937, and again another in 1947. "This Side of Forty" was done in 1953-1954, a 50th anniversary extravaganza in 1962, and a 60th anniversary performance in 1972. A major benefit production was usually done yearly along with many other plays, variety shows and fashion shows. In the early 1970s other plays, variety shows and fashion shows. In the early 1970s Junior League Showcase Houses were featured fund raising projects.

As stated in the constitution, the "object of the League shall be to foster interest among its members in the social, economic, and civic conditions of their community and to make efficient their volunteer service." New members are required to spend on year as "provisionals" which is a probationary period, during which time they must take a training course and pass an examination before applying for active membership. Active member must work 100 hours between the Fall and Annual meeting (late May), and may maintain this status until their 40th birthday. Since 1922, the Board of Managers (trustees) has published a monthly magazine, Topics, for the League members which discusses events, projects, and general news about the Junior League. Presently (2014), three issues appear yearly.

Starting in the 1960s, the Junior League began to make adjustments as the idea of the "lady of leisure" gradually disappeared - by 1979, more than 50% of the League's members worked outside the home. In the 1970s and 1980s, the Junior League funded various cultural projects, notably the renovation of Playhouse Square in downtown Cleveland, the restoration of the steamship William G. Mather, and the Children's Museum of Cleveland. In 1981, in conjunction with the National Council of Jewish Women and Parents Anonymous, the League established Bellflower House, which offers shelter to families in crisis. The League moved to its current headquarters at 10819 Magnolia Drive in University Circle in 1988.

In 2014 the Junior League had 492 members. It continues to focus on community involvement and volunteerism, as well as developing the leadership skills of women and girls.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Junior League of Cleveland

Scope and Content

The Junior League of Cleveland Records, Series II, 1924-2014 and undated, consist of annual reports, directories, event programs, financial documents, meeting minutes, newsletters, publicity materials, and yearbooks.

This collection is of value to researchers studying the history of the Junior League, both nationally and in Cleveland, Ohio, as well as those who are interested in twentieth and twenty-first century women's history, social activism and volunteerism.

Series I: Administration and Series II: Publications will interest researchers studying the history of the Cleveland Junior League itself. Yearbooks comprise the bulk of Series I. Each yearbook contains a membership directory, League by-laws, and an annual report for the previous fiscal year (for example, the 1985-1986 yearbook contains the 1984-1985 annual report). Please note that the yearbooks for 1992-1993 and 1993-1994 were not included in the donation.

Series III: Fundraisers and Projects represents a broad spectrum of community improvement projects in the greater Cleveland area, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s. Series III Sub-series C: Fashion Shows and Follies, may be of interest to researchers studying community theater and women's fashion in Cleveland during the mid-twentieth century.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

Researchers should also consult MS 3822 Junior League of Cleveland Records; and PG 604 Junior League of Cleveland Photographs.

All photographs have been removed to PG 604 Junior League of Cleveland Photographs. Books have been removed for cataloging in the library collection, and realia has been removed to the museum collection.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Organizations/Corporations:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 5248 Junior League of Cleveland Records, Series II, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of the Junior League of Greater Cleveland in 2014.

Processing Information

Processing of this collection was made possible by a gift from Joyce Litzler. Processed by Christine Borne in 2014. Junior League of Cleveland volunteers Joyce Litzler, Virginia Wilhelm, and Susan Larson prepared the initial organization and description of the collection prior to its donation to the Western Reserve Historical Society.

Detailed Description of The Collection