The Junior League of Chicago is committed to building better communities and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEIB) is at the core of our work. Our vision is to instill diversity, equity and inclusion into everything we do to continue to serve the JLC and our community.

JLC welcomes women from all walks of life who share a passion for improving the health and well-being of women, children, and families in Chicago. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where every woman who joins finds a place where she belongs and can make a lasting impact.

Our Approach to DEIB

To reinforce this commitment, JLC has embedded DEIB into its strategic plan through targeted programming, leadership development, and organizational policies. Our key initiatives include:

• Education & Training: Advancing DEIB programming across all councils and integrating DEIB training into bi-annual leadership development initiatives. Our educational programs focus on fostering diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness while deepening our understanding of Chicago’s rich social fabric—its demographics, geography, and socioeconomic landscape. By equipping our members with these insights, we strengthen JLC’s impact within the community and enhance the skills of our volunteers.
• Inclusive Leadership Opportunities: Exploring the optimal organizational structure for DEIB leadership and leveraging technology to increase accessibility for women across Chicago.
• Data-Driven Inclusion: Educating members on the benefits of opting in to share demographic data to ensure JLC reflects the diverse community we serve.
• Engagement & Impact: Expanding participation in DEIB-related programming and aligning internal and external communications with our commitment to inclusion.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Our Community Impact Work

The Junior League of Chicago (JLC) engages community members by fostering deep, collaborative partnerships with local organizations and ensuring that its programs are informed by the lived experiences of those it serves. As a diverse group of women committed to volunteerism and leadership, JLC members reflect the communities they support, bringing a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and personal experiences to their service. This diversity strengthens JLC’s ability to address community needs with empathy, cultural awareness, and innovative solutions.

JLC prioritizes initiatives that uplift women and children, particularly in under-resourced neighborhoods, recognizing the resilience, leadership, and strengths within these communities. By incorporating feedback from beneficiaries and local stakeholders, JLC ensures that programs like mentorship initiatives, literacy efforts, and workforce development are not only relevant but also sustainable.

The success of JLC’s programs is rooted in the strengths of both its volunteers and the communities it serves. The shared commitment to empowerment, collaboration, and mutual support fosters lasting change, equipping individuals with the tools and resources needed to thrive beyond JLC’s direct involvement.

Our Commitment to Change

Our League’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is as important as ever. We launched a permanent Diversity, Equity, Including and Belonging Council to help us ask the hard questions and examine how we can model inclusion in everything we do, how we can attract and retain the most diverse group of women leaders, and how we can unpack and tear down our own unconscious biases.

The Junior League of Chicago will continue to be grounded in an authentic and abiding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and guided by our shared values of respect, service, and leadership. We are catalysts for lasting community change, and our work and attention at this time are desperately needed.