Founded on March 17, 1920, the Junior League of Cincinnati recently celebrated our 100th year! We ignited the passion and pride of our members, recognized the community impact of the Junior League and looked to the future of our next 100 years. To celebrate our proud history, we kicked off our Centennial Year on May 7, 2019 combining our Annual Meeting and Sustainer Luncheon. The event was held at the Summit Hotel with a capacity crowd of 300. Chairs, Amy Kattman and Brooke Hiltz, planned a program with a walk down memory lane highlighting our projects and fundraisers along with our members’ dedication and friendship. It was an evening to celebrate our past and to get excited about the year ahead. 

The Junior League of Cincinnati: Making a Difference for 100 Years was a special exhibit at the Cincinnati Museum Center designed by their very talented, nationally known team led by Erica Wainwright and in collaboration with the Junior League. Thank you to our sponsors the Cincinnati Museum Center and the Carol Ann & Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation and to the League History Chairs, Lisa Dye and Kelly Lyle and their team. The ribbon cutting for the opening successfully took place August 16th, 2019 and included special guests Congressman Brad Weinstrup, Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus and many of our community project partners. Also, check out the podcasts that showcase their experiences and impact of our League members, part of our efforts to document League stories. Additionally, a very important part of our Centennial Celebration was the Welcome Home initiative. Sustainer Chairs, Shelley Poffenberger and Keke Sansalone and Membership Engagement Chair, Rachel Barski and Vice Chair, Byrd Bergeron, organized a series of personal outreach efforts and events to welcome back 53 members.
What may have been the last big party in Cincinnati for the year, the Junior League’s Centennial Gala, Celebrating 100 Years of Making a Difference, took place Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the historic Music Hall Ballroom. Thanks to the dedication of Chairs, Missy Byrne, Samantha Evans, Kathryn Harsh and Alicia Taylor and their amazing committee, guests enjoyed a magical night with special MC Caroline Grace William, Miss Ohio. Dinner was by Eat Well using recipes from past Junior League of Cincinnati cookbooks; Guests danced the night away with DANCEFIX to music by the Sly Band, and everyone enjoyed many special birthday touches made possible by our sponsors Fifth Third, TQL Foundation and Cincinnati Museum Center, and our in-kind sponsors Krombholz Jewelers and Kroger Floral.  Excitingly, the Gala exceeded its goals raising more than $100,000 to benefit the Junior League of Cincinnati and our mission, helping our community shine brightly.

It was a true honor to be selected by the Association of Junior Leagues International to host their May 2020 Annual Conference. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to the Corona Virus Pandemic. Chairs, Marty Humes, Amelia Crutcher and Vickie Calonge, planned a very special welcome to our city with a visit to the Cincinnati Museum Center to tour our 100 years of Making a Difference Exhibit, a dine around at members’ homes along the Ohio River, a series of very special tours highlighting our city – Smale Riverfront Park and Carol Ann’s Carousel, food tours, a JLC Docent lead tour of the Art Museum and a behind the scenes tour of our Zoo –  to name just a few. We were saddened to miss this opportunity, but hope to host this Conference in the future. 

We also proudly launched our successful Centennial Campaign, celebrating our first 100 years and looking forward to the next 100.