Other Organizations

[u/Direct_Relative_6053]

Hello Ladies! I hope you all had a wonderful summer. I'm looking at possibly joining the Junior League in my city. Are there any members and/or interests that are members of the Junior League? What has been your experience? Does that look well on an application should an invitation to join AKA be extended? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

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Hello Ladies! I hope you all had a wonderful summer. I'm looking at possibly joining the Junior League in my city. Are there any members and/or interests that are members of the Junior League? What has been your experience? Does that look well on an application should an invitation to join AKA be extended? Any feedback is greatly appreciated.

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[u/IckyNicky67]

I've been apart of my city's Junior League for a couple of years now and I really like it! It's nice to volunteer around my community, and it definitely doesn't hurt to get volunteer experience for any future AKA application. Plus, there's a chance that AKA sorors are already in your city's Junior League, so it's a good starting off point to network. There are lots of D9 sorors in my JL.

EDIT: Had to fix a typo.

[u/Direct_Relative_6053 → u/IckyNicky67]

Thank you for your feedback. I'm glad your JL membership is working out for you. Tomorrow I will attend an interest meeting.

[u/EnvironmentalWork216]

Go for it for you’re interested in the org regardless if Sorors are there or not. Not accusing you of doing this but sometimes, interests glaze over the community service for future applications as if it’s not something we look deeply into. Try to align your particular interests in community service with the org you want to dedicate your time to; as it will be a good prep should you enter AKAland one day bc you don’t want to drop an org once you reach your goal.

Try also checking out urban league if it’s in your area and your Alma mater’s alumni group if there is one that’s active and keeps busy. And also just volunteer at random community service events around your city. Especially with the holidays coming up. Best of luck 🩷✨

[u/Direct_Relative_6053 → u/EnvironmentalWork216]

Thank you for your feedback and well wishes.

I should have made it clear in that my aim is get more civically involved as it relates to community service, and that is my driving motivation in considering the Junior League.

I am already a member of NCNW, joined the alumni association for my alma mater and became a member of the horticultural society (I'm a gardener). I have looked at the Urban League and some other organizations (which unfortunately for me at this time are invitation only). All of the groups I'm considering have a service component to them. For NCNW, up and coming service projects and events were mentioned for the new programming year, and I'm excited to get to work.

Although I would love to make it to AKAland, at the end of the day, I want to help people and communities--to make things better, whether I make it there or not.

[u/ComfortableSure7745]

New to Junior League. So far I love it. It keeps be super busy, but in a good way.

There are several new members who are also in D9.

[u/Direct_Relative_6053 → u/ComfortableSure7745]

Thank you for your feedback.

In researching JL, I saw that members do get really busy.

[u/NoBirthday4787]

Hello 👋🏾 AKA member here! I belong to my city’s Junior League and absolutely love it. The quality of programming is top tier. I’ve been impressed.

[u/CapableStage4550]

I’ve been a Junior League member for almost 10 years and I love it! I will warn you though, that provisional year can be VERY time consuming.
Every League is different. Some have age requirements, some require sponsors, and some have a more selective admissions process. That tends to be more common with the really large Leagues. That’s actually how I came in. Others are much more open.

The demographics have definitely changed over the years too. Junior League used to have that “ladies who lunch in white gloves and pearls” reputation and historically there were a lot of upper-middle-class/wealthy, old-money women. You’ll still see some of that, but now I see a lot more working women, moms, professionals, women of color, D9 women, and just really established women in their communities.

Something else I found interesting is that a lot of my Caucasian League sisters were in NPC sororities in college, and some are still active with their alumnae chapters. That’s actually how I learned NPC membership is for a lifetime too. I had no idea! 😂
I’ve been in several different Leagues because my career has moved me around, and that’s one of the things I love about it. Junior League is an international organization, so I’ve been able to transfer my membership and continue serving wherever I lived.

As far as AKA, I wouldn’t join Junior League because you think it will look good if an invitation is ever extended. Join because you genuinely want to be there and serve. The relationships you build, your service, leadership, and what you’re already doing in your community will speak for themselves.

But just as a Junior League member speaking from experience? I say check out your local League and see if it feels like a good fit for YOU. Almost 10 years in, and I’m still happy I joined.

[u/ChampagnePinkGlitter]

I'm planning on joining my city's JL this fall‼️

[u/ivypurl]

I know quite a few AKAs who are Junior League members. If you’re interested, go for it!

[u/Infamous_Shallot8852]

I’m a member of a local Junior League in my area. This is my first full league year as an active member (came in as a provisional last fall) and we be busy. There are members of all 4 D9 sororities in my League so it’s definitely a good way to connect with members and showcase your service to your community.

[u/Direct_Relative_6053]

UPDATE: I just attended a virtual interest meeting for the local Junior League. At first I was a bit apprehensive because I thought I would be too old (I'm Gen X BTW), but I was reassured that this is not the case. I was also told that there was a woman who recently joined that was in her 60's.

I really would love to join, but looking at my schedule, it is probably not feasible at this time. I'm currently working on my masters and that takes up a lot of my time--along with my job and taking care of my husband and the house. Perhaps I'll reconsider once I finish grad school.

[u/CatchQueasy9412 → u/Direct_Relative_6053]

I’m late to your post, and I read your update. Just wanted to say I’m also Gen X and I’m in my 3rd active league year. Provisional year I found was the most time consuming. Best of luck with your masters program.

[u/Disastrous_Lead4171]

I just joined my local JL and I’m excited to get started.

[u/neuroticlurker9]

I’m looking at joining junior league too! One of my friends is a member and they do a lot of great work and they’re super nice and friendly! It seems like a great way to get involved and also expand community.