For nearly a century, the Junior League of Columbia (JLC) has been making an impact throughout the Midlands area. The local organization, organized in 1924, stemmed from The Junior League of New York City organized in 1901 by Mary Harriman, who felt a responsibility to improve the social conditions of the New York City tenements. After a visit to NYC, Katharine Heath (later Katharine Heath Manning Perry) saw what Harriman's organization was doing and wanted to bring it home to Columbia. She gathered ten friends, and together they formed the Junior League of Columbia. Katharine was a visionary who sought to create positive change, and this change has been occurring for over 100 years now.
Since its early beginnings, the JLC has been committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The League has consistently worked to address issues in the community by working to identify unmet needs and then working to provide aid with their dollars, hands, and time.
From its early beginnings, the Junior League has always been at the forefront of change. During the late 20’s the League was on the cutting edge in hiring a teacher for the blind and in hosting monthly events for the Association for the Blind. Moving into the 30’s the League worked tirelessly to help with relief and wellness efforts with the Community Center and assistance with the University of South Carolina’s Social Services graduate program.
Then in the 40’s, the focus changed to efforts with the war, along with continuing work to support the deaf and hard of hearing. The League worked to provide audiometer screenings for children throughout the area and helped to establish the Mental Hygiene Society. They even worked to secure a psychiatric social worker for the area. Later this work would help create the Social Hygiene Society of Richland County. Along with these efforts, a marionette theater was created, and radio broadcasts for children began as new technologies emerged.
As time progressed, the League again reevaluated what was needed in the community. During the 50’s, the League focused a great deal of time and energy on working with the JLC Speech and Hearing Clinic. This newly formed clinic worked to identify and assist children with hearing and speech delays. Additionally, League members stretched their leadership skills and began sitting on local Boards such as the American Red Cross, The Columbia Museum of Art, the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, The Boys and Girls Club and many more. In fact, in one year, they had 63 members serving on local boards and non-profits throughout Columbia.
By the 1960's the League was growing, and a new focus was found in creating “Fun Books” to place in the hands of children at hospitals, schools, and local area centers. The TV/Radio committee created sixty-plus episodes titled, “Gallant Carolina” which highlighted the important history of our state and offered citizens the opportunity to learn more about our state. Additionally, funding was provided to the Class for the Visually Handicapped, and continued hands and dollars were provided to local charity organizations in the area.
During the 70’s and the 80’s, the League began working alongside the Columbia Chamber of Commerce to make lasting changes. The League opened a thrift store called “Second Look” to help acquire additional fundraising dollars to help the community. During this time the League also began working with child advocacy programming and helped secure and fund the Richland County Coordinator for Child Abuse and Neglect. In the 80’s, this would help bring a larger awareness and need for assistance with domestic abuse and violence. Ultimately, members of JLC formed Guardian Ad Litum program and later Sistercare. Sistercare is an organization the League still has a rich partnership with currently. In 1986, the JLC started its most successful fundraiser to date, the annual Holiday Market. Now in its 38th year, the weeklong event raises almost $300,000 annually that is invested back into the local community.
The 90’s saw another shift in focus with a stronger lens on leadership development training for members and support of the Congaree Land Trust. Thanks to a successful capital campaign and a generous donation from a member, the League moved into its current headquarters on Devine Street and started a new community program titled “Smart Matters”. This would become the League’s signature program for the next ten-plus years. Members worked with local schools in Richland One to provide monthly educational programming for parents and their families. These events provided meals, books, and toys to help encourage participation and continued support.
Since the turn of the century, the League has worked with a myriad of organizations and has expanded its reach in the community with a multitude of volunteer opportunities and grants. JLC has partnered with Girls on the Run, Epworth Children’s Home, the Therapy Place, Camp Cole, Prisma Health, the Ronald McDonald House, the Dickerson Center, local school districts, Power in Changing, and HomeWorks to name just a few. The League also started programs such as “Kids in the Kitchen” to teach children about making healthy food choices and created an annual event called “ABC’s”. This event partners with local schools and Walmart to offer needy families a chance to shop for an Apple (or other healthy fruit), a Book, a Coat, and Shoes for the winter season. Additionally, the organization has worked tirelessly to diversify its membership to be more inclusive, and to offer training and educational opportunities for its members.
Therefore, in honor of its centennial year, the Junior Leagues is now directing its efforts toward promoting healthy relationships for women and children. This shift in focus underscores the League’s enduring commitment to empowering women and children to lead lives of fulfillment and vitality through the cultivation of healthy relationships. By prioritizing this area, JLC aims to forge a positive and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families throughout Richland and Lexington counties.
As the organization celebrates its centennial year, it looks ahead to the next century with a renewed dedication to addressing crucial community needs and strengthening our advocacy voice. With 1,400 diverse and unique members who share a rich history of leadership, service, and action, it is clear the organization is poised to make a positive impact on the community for the next 100 years.
To learn more about the Junior League of Columbia please visit JLColumbia.org. To learn more about the Association of Junior Leagues International and see if there is a local organization for you to serve with, be sure to visit TheJuniorLeagueInternational.org.
"Our League, as I see it, was organized as a means of expressing the feeling of social responsibility for the conditions which surrounded us. We have the responsibility to act, and we have the opportunity to conscientiously act to affect the environment around us.” -Mary Harriman, 1912
Since its early beginnings, the Junior League of Columbia has been committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.
As the organization celebrates its centennial year, it looks ahead to the next century with a renewed dedication to addressing crucial community needs and strengthening our advocacy voice.
