Who are we? We are the very fabric of your community. The Junior League is an international organization that has served local communities through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers for more than one hundred years. Because of our training, we are the current and future leaders and members of other community service agencies and boards.
Our story begins in 1901, when Mary Harriman, together with 85 other women, founded the Junior League for the Promotion of Settlement Movements in New York City. The name was later shortened to the Junior League. Early League projects included establishment of orphanages, programs in the arts, dental health for children, home nursing, parks and playgrounds. The organization became international when the Junior League of Montreal joined in 1912. We began as the Fenton League and became the Junior League of Oakland in February 1935, with a charter membership of 61. In 1974, the name of the League became the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay to reflect the expansion of the League’s membership and service area.
Today we are called the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay (JLOEB) with our membership growing to nearly 600. Since its inception 75 years ago, our League has contributed over seven million volunteer service hours and launched six non-profits into our community, including:
- The East Bay Children’s Theatre
- Junior Center of Art and Science
- Volunteer Center of Contra Costa County (currently known as Volunteer Center of the East Bay)
- Oakland Volunteer Bureau (currently known as Volunteer Center of the East Bay)
- Family Stress Center
- Super Stars Literacy
The information above can be found on the official website of Junior League of the Oakland-East Bay. For more details about the organization and to find out how you can volunteer, please visit their website: http://www.jloeb.org