History
The Junior League of Montclair-Newark (JLMN) first began as the Junior League of Montclair (JLM), founded in 1921. It was established by Miss Sabra Bradlee and included about 30 young women.Another local women's organization, the Glen Ridge Service League, joined forced with the JLM in 1943 after its own application to the American Junior League Association was declined due to zoning restrictions that would not allow for the establishment of any additional Junior Leagues within the state of New Jersey.
The JLM merged with the Junior League of Newark in 1974 to form the present JLMN. This was the first merger in the history of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI).
Since its founding, the JLMN has been a leader in volunteer efforts in Montclair, Newark and the surrounding communities. Through hands-on volunteer programs, community advocacy and collaboration, we reach a wide range of children through our projects.
The JLMN has a distinguished history serving the Essex County, NJ communities of Bloomfield, The Caldwells, Cedar Grove, Essex Fells, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Montclair, Newark, and Verona. Through our history, our members have volunteered their time and service through League sponsored projects developed to address timely and unmet needs in our community.
In addition to our hands-on project work we are very proud to have founded many nonprofit organizations currently serving the needs of citizens in our area - Newark Emergency Service for Families, Essex County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), and the COPE Center.
All members of the Junior League Movement are linked by our common goals of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.
Many of our members can be found using their Junior League training and experience in both their professional lives as well as becoming leaders and board members for other nonprofit organizations.
The Power of Association
Founded in 1901 by New Yorker and social activism pioneer Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, making a demonstrable impact on their communities. In 1921 the Leagues joined forces as an association, which is today known as The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., in order to bolster their power and amplify their voice through shared knowledge and common causes.
True to their mission, today’s League members work at the forefront of social reform, tackling the toughest and most critical issues of the day—including childhood nutrition and obesity, human trafficking, foster care, juvenile justice, teen self-esteem, cybercrimes, literacy and the environment, among others—for the purpose of enhancing the social, cultural and political fabric of civil society.
As a result of this work, The Junior League—and the more than 155,000 women in 293 communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico who comprise its ranks—has amassed an archive of tangible results and a reputation as thoughtful and influential change agents dedicated to the public good.
THE ASSOCIATION OF JUNIOR LEAGUES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
80 MAIDEN LANE, SUITE 305, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, 10038-4609
W: WWW.AGLI.ORG T: 212.951.8300 F: 212.481.7196 E: INFO@AJLI.ORG