Junior League of Sarasota looks back on 60 years of service

Members of the Junior League of Sarasota took a walk down memory lane on April 6.

As they strolled through the lobby of The Francis, members glanced at old photos, newspaper clippings and other mementos that helped tell the six decade-long story of JLS and its philanthropic efforts. Sustainer Council member Cady Ferguson, who is the daughter of first Junior League of Sarasota President Suzanne Berry Bissell, compiled the first five decades worth of snapshots, and the JLS anniversary committee created the board for the final decade.

Junior League of Sarasota’s 60th Anniversary Celebration honored the founding of what used to be referred to as the Junior Welfare League of Sarasota on May 10, 1957. Since then, the Junior League of Sarasota has grown to a 700-member women’s organization that is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing female potential and community improvement.

Speakers at the event included Co-Chairwomen Stacey Corley, Alicia Chalmers and Caryn Patterson, as well as Junior League of Sarasota President Britt Riner. Corley’s eyes filled with tears as she recalled some of her most meaningful memories from her time in JLS, including all the times she’s seen members get babysitters for their own kids so they could spend a few hours watching others’ children through Children First (a nonprofit that JLS helped create).

Riner’s speech used an acorn and oak tree metaphor to explain how JLS helps members grow as individuals who in turn help strengthen our community.

“Even the mightiest oak tree started as an acorn,” Riner said.