3/1/2008

A Legacy of Caring

Billings' Junior League still strong despite demands on today's women

By Ceci Bentler

“For the next three years, we’ll provide your organization volunteer bodies and monetary support to get your organization or community service project off the ground.” Sound too good to be true? Not if you know the women of the Junior League of Billings (JLB).

In 2004, the JLB approached Venture Theatre with an idea to help bring theatre into low-income schools. JLB promised three years of full-financial support as well as “woman-power” from its base of 250 active and sustained volunteers. Plus, they offered to buy the Theatre a “Venture into Schools” logo-adorned mini-van to haul props and costumes and fill other transportation needs for the kids. Venture agreed and the rest, they say, is history.

And that’s how it goes with the League. For more than 50 years, this consistent volunteer base of women has been quietly and humbly serving this community in a cross-section of service that may be unmatched in Billings. Mary Harriman Ramsey, the founder of the first Junior League in New York in 1901, said, “Each city has its own conditions to cope with, and the organization should be founded on the conditions in each individual place.”

Therein lies the challenge, identifying need. Since its inception in 1954, the Junior League of Billings has culled through the pool of local causes and needs and either initiated programs themselves or gave fledgling service organizations financial backing and, in some cases more importantly, the committed volunteer bodies they needed to get their goals accomplished.

This year the “Venture into Schools” program became completely self-sustained and is so popular that many area schools, not just those in low-income areas, purchase the program. The program’s success now allows for a full-time, paid position at the Theatre.

The staff, parents and students at McKinley Elementary were so impressed by the program that the McKinley PTA now pays for the program to return. “Day-to-day life can be challenging for some of our families. For some, this is the only time they’ll dabble in theatre and not be intimidated. All the kids who try out get a part and you can’t imagine what this means for some children’s self-esteem,” says Dr. Shanna Henry, principal at McKinley Elementary. “We’re thankful for the many generous organizations, like the Junior League, that fund programs that benefit McKinley students.”

The opportunity to watch one of the Junior League’s ideas come to fruition and subsequently survive on its own is something long-time Junior League member Dina Pett sees time and time again. Dina, a JLB member since the 1970s, as well as an employee for the past 28 years, has been around long enough to participate in a good portion of the League’s service to this community and is a one-woman historian for the League. “The Junior League has initiated and participated in so many service projects in Billings, but some stand out,” says Dina.

According to Dina, the JLB, determined to see quality daycare affordable and available to all income levels, initiated the Community Day Care and Enrichment Center, which still serves the community today.

At one point, the League noticed that there were no city parks useable for children with disabilities and so it initiated the “Playground for All Children,” a barrier-free, all-accessible playground at Rose Park. It continues to be a one-of a-kind place where all children, regardless of ability, can come together and play.

The Tumbleweed Runway Program was initiated by the JLB and later incorporated as its own nonprofit. “Years ago League members provided the homes for the runaways to stay in until they could be reunited with their families,” says Dina. “This is the level of commitment you see from women in the Junior League.” The Tumbleweed program has since been expanded and continues to be a solid, self-sustained and needed entity in our community.

The Junior League also maintains The Wise Penny, a consignment/donation clothing shop established in 1954. In 2004, the Wise Penny moved to the SoPO Loft Building at . The store provides affordable clothing to the community, donates clothing to other nonprofits (over $43,000 last year), as well as provides a venue for community service opportunities for Youth Court Service clients and youth and adult Drug Court clients. The Junior League also provides a voucher program through the Wise Penny for clients in need of clothing and housewares.

“Not only is the Wise Penny an important service project in terms of donations to the community,” says JLB President Kathy Angland, “but now since we are once again making a small profit, even more money can go back into the community.”

Considering that the organization is comprised only of women and that these same women typically today have careers, growing families and often are caregivers for aging parents, it’s astounding that the League continues to succeed and make such a meaningful impact on the community.

“The women in the Junior League today have different, and often less flexible, demands on their time. When I first joined the Junior League, I believe we had around 120-130 active members and only a couple of active members worked outside the home,” says Pam Sanderson a sustainer member of the Junior League of Billings. Times have changed but the Junior League’s commitment to Billings clearly has not.