History
Junior League of Lafayette began in 1957 as Service League of Lafayette. The 17 women who organized the Service League were Mrs. Bella Nickerson Abramson, Mrs. Emalie Comegys, Jr., Mrs. Margaret Ramsey Copeland, Mrs. Azalie Crain, Mrs. Geraldine Fontenot, Mrs. Malise Foster, Mrs. Jean Frazell, Mrs. Martha Green, Mrs. Frances Wallace, Mrs. Barbara Hartwell, Mrs. Irene Hetherwick, Mrs. Susie Hughes, Mrs. Janelle Morgan, Mrs. Woodthrow Meeker, Mrs. Lucille Copeland, Mrs. Mary Ann Sadler and Mrs. Martha Smith. Three Honorary Members were Mrs. W. W. Hawkins, Mrs. Donald Labbe, and Mrs. Bennett Voorhies. This group formed the charter membership. In 1974, the Service League of Lafayette was admitted into the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., and officially became Junior League of Lafayette.
Since 1957, Junior League of Lafayette has continued the vision of Mary Harriman, founder of Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., through its ongoing efforts to affect positive change in the community of Lafayette. Over these 60 years, Junior League of Lafayette has provided trained volunteers for community service in areas of local need including child health/development, education, health/well-being, social services, substance abuse prevention, teens/juvenile justice, voluntarism and the arts. Through the tireless fundraising efforts of our members and the tremendous community support over the years, Junior League of Lafayette has raised over $6.5 million to fund and support our Mission.
Whether through the hands-on work of our volunteers, or by funding League-sponsored community projects, or by making direct grants to nonprofit organizations whose interests and priorities are consistent with our Mission statement, the rich history and tradition of service of Junior League of Lafayette continues to grow!
Major Recipients of Junior League of Lafayette Community Funds 1957-Present
Acadian Village
Acadiana Animal Aid
Acadiana Arts Council
Acadiana Shelter for Girls
American Red Cross
The Child Safe Visitation Center of Acadiana
CASA of SoLA
Extra Mile
The Family Tree/Family Tree Counseling Services
FoodNet Bank of Lafayette
The Grief Center
Healing House
Hospice Foundation of Acadiana
Junior Symphony
LARC Treats in the Village
Maddie’s Footprints
Natural History Museum
New Home Community Development of Acadiana
Outreach Center for Women and Children
Shinning Light Foundation
Southwest Louisiana Rehabilitation Center
The University Art Museum
The Volunteer Center of Lafayette
Fundraising 1957-present
Mexican Supper (1957-58) $424
Follies (1957-59, 1964-65, 1973-74) $30,100
Silk Stocking Review (1958-59) $4,848
Riverboat Rambles (1958-59) $1,306
Doll Raffle (1958-59) $362
Hawaiian Luau (1959-60) $8,500
Broadway Theatre League (1960-62) $22,500
Music Man Production (1962-63) $772
Gypsy Party (1963-64) $8,300
International Bazaar (1965-66) $5,561
Charity Ball (1966-69) $19,800
Talk About Good I, II , Something to Talk About and Tell Me More (1967-present) $1,251,891
Bayou Oaks Charity Horse Show (1969-70) $10,500
Southern Shooting Stars Basketball Exhibition (1971-72) $5,400
Drowning Pool Movie Premier (1975-76) $11,000
Talk About Tennis Exhibition (1976-78) $67,000
It Was Great in ’58 (1979-80) $30,100
Christmas Comes Alive (1980-92) $458,943
Culinary Classic (1990-95, 1997) $106,794
Talk About Treasures (1993) $36,860
Tinsel & Treasures (1994-present) $6,009,376
Kitchen Tour (2015-present) $39,837