Contact:
Sarah Day Owen Wiskirchen, Public Communications Co-chair,
ibcommunicationsnc@gmail.com

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF RALEIGH ANNOUNCES NEW DATE
FOR NORTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR’S INAUGURAL BALL

As a result of North Carolina’s State of Emergency for winter storms across the state of North Carolina, and for the safety of our guests, volunteers, honorees, entertainers, chefs, and vendors, the Junior League of Raleigh made the difficult decision, in consultation with the Governor’s Office, to postpone three 2025 Governor’s Inaugural Ball events. The Council of State Reception, Gala Presentation and Inaugural Ball will be celebrated at an event later in the spring. As part of our pivot, Empire Eats and the Junior League of Raleigh donated the food prepared for the Ball to local schools:

• Baileywick Elementary School
• Carnage Middle School
• Enloe Magnet High School
• Fuller Magnet Elementary School
• Ligon Magnet Middle School
• Moore Square Magnet Middle School
• Partnership Magnet Elementary School
• Poe Magnet Elementary School
• Southeast Raleigh Magnet High School
• Washington Magnet Elementary School

Photos available here.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to share rescheduled dates for events:

• The Gala Presentation and Inaugural Ball will be April 5, 2025, at the Marbles
  Kids Museum.
• The Council of State Reception will be April 4, 2025, at the NC Museum of
  Natural Sciences.

A limited number of tickets are now available for the Council of State and Inaugural Ball events. Tickets can be purchased here.

More About the Event:
This is the 22nd time in its 95-year history that the Junior League of Raleigh will host the North Carolina Governor’s Inaugural Ball, honoring the newly elected governor, lieutenant governor and the members of the Council of State. Proceeds from the nonpartisan Inaugural Ball events are designated to programs that support North Carolinians. This year proceeds will benefit Western North Carolina hurricane recovery efforts. “The Junior League of Raleigh Board of Directors are proud to announce the beneficiaries of the 2025 Inaugural Ball, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina and the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina,” said Junior League of Raleigh President Laura Barnes. “These organizations exemplify the power of partnerships in addressing critical needs, creating opportunities and improving the quality of life for residents across Western North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.”

Past Inaugural Balls proceeds have supported SAFEchild, Communities in Schools, Heritage Park’s Community Learning Center, the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Julia Jones Daniels Center for Community Leadership.

Previously held events for the 2025 Inaugural Ball include:

• Celebrate North Carolina, which was held on Thursday, Jan. 9, at the
  contemporary art museum, CAM Raleigh.
• The First Lady’s Luncheon, a signature event that celebrates the incoming First Lady, was held Friday, Jan. 10, at the North Carolina Museum of Art.

About the Junior League of Raleigh:
The Junior League of Raleigh is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The Junior League of Raleigh is a local chapter of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., To learn more about the Junior League of Raleigh, visit jlraleigh.org.