About
OUR STORY
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 the 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 400. Since its inception 86 years ago, our League has contributed over seven million volunteer service hours, three million dollars in community grants, and launched six non-profits into our community, including:
- The East Bay Children’s Theatre
- Junior Center of Art and Science
- Volunteer Center of the East Bay
- Family Stress Center
- Super Stars Literacy
These organizations are serving the community today because the women of the Junior League of Oakland-East Bay recognized needs and took action. The Junior League of Oakland-East Bay is a dynamic, non-profit organization that continues to touch the lives of countless individuals and influence the success of many community programs. From teaching children the value of healthy diet choices, to assisting victims of domestic violence, to tutoring children to help fight illiteracy, we are motivated women who work to promote voluntarism, develop the potential of women and improve our community everyday.