Join us October 21, 2022, for the Junior League’s Annual Perfect Pairings event at Zhou B Arts Center in Chicago’s thriving Bridgeport neighborhood. The Zhou B is an internationally acclaimed art gallery featuring local and global members of the artist community. Listed as one of the “five places to go in Chicago” by the New […]

You may have noticed a new look on our social media pages today, as we officially launched our 110th Anniversary celebration with a refreshed logo honoring our legacy of impact in the Chicagoland community. Thanks to JLC member Allyson Zelinski for designing this emblem that you’ll see throughout our year-long celebration. Be on the lookout for […]

This month marks 69 years of 1447 N. Astor being the Junior League of Chicago’s official headquarters. In June 1953, JLC membership voted to accept the gift of the house at 1447 N. Astor Street from Lydia Thatcher Wheeler to serve as our headquarters. That was 69 years ago this month, and 1447 N. Astor […]

Following the formation of the AJLI’s 5 year plan, the Junior League of Chicago made their own commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. We developed a member survey and analyzed the current DEIB structure. We hope to gain increased membership buy-in on DEIB, collaborate with other leagues and organizations, audit and update DEIB policies annually and […]

To deliver on our mission and signature initiatives, the JLC partners with several organizations in the Chicagoland area. Our members donate their time and resources to ensure these organizations can support community members in need, and we’re proud to work with them.  Earlier this year, the Junior League donated more than $7,700 to Ravenswood Community […]

The primary focus of the Junior League is to train women for volunteer service and spark their interest in the social, economic, educational, civic, and cultural conditions of their community.  While we’ve taken a look back at various periods of the League’s history, that sentiment remained centerfold — and still does — throughout our next […]

Our Member Spotlight features women from across the Junior League of Chicago, and we ask them to answer a set of questions to help our members and friends get to know them better. These incredible women volunteer their time – whether as members of leadership or on committees – to help bring our mission to […]

The Junior League of Chicago is pleased to announce that the Community Spirit Award—recognizing a member who goes above and beyond in her commitment to the JLC mission in the community—has been renamed the Colleen Gleason Community Spirit Award to honor JLC member Colleen Gleason, who passed away in 2020. The Award The Community Spirit Award is […]

The Early Years of the JLC: 1912-1942 In 1912, people flocked to the City of Chicago for jobs and adventure. But women were often left behind. Inspired by Jane Adams, Lucy McCormick Blair Linn and 12 friends formed the Junior League of Chicago to drive social change and help women. Their first project was to […]

110 Years of the JLC – The Countdown Begins The Junior League of Chicago was founded in 1912 by Lucy McCormick Blair Linn with the focus of bringing young women together to effectively address social issues in the city, bring about positive change, and to set an example for others about the importance of civic […]