By Karen Talbot

May 31, 2023: The Junior League of Bronxville (the "JLB"), established in 1948, is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

Membership in the Junior League of Bronxville is open to women who live or work within the five communities it serves, which include Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, and Yonkers.

The League's outreach is guided by its membership and community partners and is focused on implementing collaborative and impactful service projects that meet some of the most critical needs in the service area.

This past March, the Junior League of Bronxville celebrated its 75th Anniversary at a benefit at the Bronxville Field Club with the theme "Mosaic of Members & Mission." Over 150 members and supporters attended and celebrated the impact of this wonderful organization within the local service areas.

Here is a recap of the Junior League of Bronxville over the decades:

The 1940s: Volunteers sewed for the Red Cross, sponsored a mobile library cart at Lawrence Hospital, ran social events for seniors, and helped at a well-baby clinic.

The 1950s: Members created a Musical Therapy Program for children with cerebral palsy called "Musical Participation." Around 1,000 children from Westchester orphanages enjoyed a performance of Hansel & Gretel at the Eastchester High School by the Children's Theatre Group.

The 1960s: In 1963, the Junior League of Bronxville celebrated its 15th Anniversary. The League used profits from its volunteer-run Penny Wise Shop in Mount Vernon to provide free French language, art appreciation, and creative writing classes to local children.

The 1970s: The Junior League of Bronxville partnered with the Yonkers Court Assistance Program for Abused Spouses and established a domestic violence task force.

The 1980s: In 1981, Junior League of Bronxville member Bissie Jansen suggested a focus on compassionate end-of-life care, which led to the creation of a hospice task force and ultimately to the founding of the Jansen Memorial Hospice, which continues to serve the local community today under the name "Jansen Hospice and Palliative Care."

The 1990s: The Junior League of Bronxville helped in founding the Bereavement Center of Westchester and "The Tree House," a special program for children grieving the loss of a parent or sibling. The League also hosted a lecture series titled "Women in the 90's: New Directions and Responsibilities."

The 2000s: During the Spring of 2020, the Junior League of Bronxville's "Feeding the Frontlines" program raised over $55,000 to purchase meals from restaurants struggling during the pandemic lockdown to deliver to first responders such as medical professionals, police and fire departments, public works departments and others. During this time, the Junior League of Bronxville also created the Cara Kealy Scholarship in honor of Kealy, a long-time member who passed away in 2013. In addition, it created the Erica Sevilla Scholarship in honor of Sevilla, a former President of the Junior League Bronxville who passed away in 2019.

The JLB also has a number of ongoing community outreach projects, including:

Mobile Food Pantry: Since 2014, the JLB, in partnership with Feeding Westchester, has funded a refrigerated truck stocked with fresh food items. This truck arrives at Parker Elementary School and the Beulah Seventh Day Adventist Church in Mount Vernon every month, and League members distribute the food.