April 20, 2021

The Junior League of Salt Lake City is filled with incredible women from all walks of life who all joined for different reasons. When asked about their “why” we learn how much the League truly means to all members and how it holds a special place in all our hearts.

Recipes from Salt To Honey, Recipes For Great Gatherings by Junior League of Salt Lake City

The rate of depression has been on the rise for several years, even before COVID-19. A 2018 Blue Cross Blue Shield study found that diagnoses of major depression have risen dramatically by 33% between 2013 – 2016. This rate is growing even faster among millennials (up 47%) and adolescents (up 47% for boys and 65% for girls). Since the pandemic began in early 2020, a JAMA Network study published in September 2020 revealed that the rate of depression tripled among all demographic groups.

As the Junior League of Salt Lake City turns 90, our members continue to follow in their mother’s footsteps.
The Junior League of Salt Lake City has been serving the Salt Lake community since 1931. It began as the Salt Lake Junior Aid and was accepted into membership of the Association of Junior Leagues in 1934 after a probationary period of training and education.

As she dresses for work, Marie adds the finishing touches to her business casual attire. She puts on a gold necklace, an accessory that is special to the 52-year-old. It is a reminder of a time when she was between jobs and was in need of professional business attire for a job interview.

The Women Helping Women project’s mission is to provide work-appropriate attire to women entering the workforce who are in transition to self-sufficiency. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impeded our progress as finding an outfit that fits one’s body, and personal style is difficult to achieve from a remote location. Since it was unclear when we would return to the boutique in person, we considered ways to continue to support our clients without the need for face-to-face interaction.

In October, the Community Council reached out to Primary Children’s Hospital for volunteer opportunities in which the League could safely participate. One of the suggested options was Christmas in a Box; these boxes would include decorations, crafts, stuffed animals, books, movies, and pillowcases. These are given to the children to decorate their hospital rooms to normalize their hospital experience, especially during the holiday season.

The year I served as the president of The League was one of the most challenging, collaborative and rewarding experiences of my life. In 12 months, we purchased a building, did a total remodel, and raised over a million dollars to fund the whole thing. Lisa Mietchen (Past President), Carol Firmage (President-elect), Joanie Shupe (Board Member) and I led the purchase and construction part of the project, but it was our gracious and generous Sustainer Capital Campaign Committee members who made it all possible.

The discussion about adopting Women Helping Women as a League-owned project began in the fall of 1996. It was considered by the Community Research & Project Development Committee led by Janet Underwood along with committee members Cynthia Connor, Carrie Turner, and myself.