Stereotypical images of stay-at-home moms and ladies who lunch begone. The reality of the Junior League is a group of trained female volunteers who raise funds and develop projects to meet pressing community needs.

At the Junior League of Houston, specifically, more than 78 percent of its members work full time. This year, the local nonprofit will contribute approximately $2 million in volunteer hours and direct financial support to the Houston community.

How did it all begin? The Junior League of Houston dates back to 1925 when a group of 12 forward-thinking women founded the organization.

Charity Ball 2019: Junior League kicks off three-night ‘Fire and Ice’ charity ball with red hot Preview Party

Since then, the Junior League of Houston’s encyclopedic list of community contributions range from assisting the Houston Museum of Natural Science with acquiring a Diplodocus dinosaur brain in 1962, to donating a gift of $60,000 to help revive Market Square Park in 1975. League volunteers have also trained in helping counsel abused women, rape victims and homeless mothers and children at Houston Area Women’s Center.

The Junior League of Houston has been deeply rooted in the local community for decades. For a look back of some of the highlights from its inception to 1998, scroll through the photos above

Source: February 18, 2019, The Houston Chronicle, Marcy de Luna