Archives West Finding Aid

The beginning of the 20th century marked the start of an era of political and economic emancipation for American women. One of the first persons to sense the change and to recognize that new rights for women implied new responsibilities toward their communities was a young New York City debutante, Mary Harriman. In 1901, with the help of Nathalie Henderson, she started the Junior League for the promotion of Settlement Movements. As a result, young women were encouraged to take an active role in community service and to find useful outlets for their interests and abilities. The New York League proved so successful that in 1907 a Boston League was organized, followed in rapid succession by Leagues throughout the United States. By 1921, thirty Leagues had been established in six regions, and incorporated into the Association of the Junior Leagues of America. Each League is self-directing but bound by the Association By-laws. The Association offers leadership experience to individual members and assistance to its member Leagues. The purpose of the Association, which is binding on all local Leagues, "is exclusively educational and charitable and is to promote voluntarism; to develop the potential of its members for voluntary participation in community affairs; and to demonstrate the effectiveness of trained volunteers." The local leagues have provided an outlet for the talents of individual women through the creation of community projects, as well as encouraging them to work within the league to administer the organization. The Salt Lake Junior Aid was established in 1931. After applying for membership, it went through a probationary period and was accepted into the Association in 1934. As of 1982 the Salt Lake League had an Active and Sustaining membership of over five hundred, administered eleven community projects, and supervised the volunteer activities of about two hundred fifty members in scores of community placements. Since 1990, the Junior League of Salt Lake City has focused its attention on the environment, women and substance abuse, mental illness, and healthcare concerns. Currently the League conducts two provisional classes, one beginning in August and one in February. Each class is four months long and ends with the option of being voted into active membership.