In the 1920s, the Junior League of Raleigh (JLR), then called the Junior Guild, started with the vision of 53 women who wanted to make a difference in their community. They joined together to “unite in one body the young women of Raleigh to promote fellowship within the group, to foster interest among its members in social, economic, educational and civic conditions of their community, to make efficient their volunteer service.” -Constitution of the Junior Guild.

In 1930, the Junior Guild was accepted into The Association of Junior Leagues international, Inc., which included a couple dozen groups in a growing community service movement that had begun in New York City just after the turn of the century. That year, the JLR had 87 members who volunteered 6,663 hours and gave $2,744 back to the community.

Throughout the rest of the 30s, 40s, and 50s, the JLR launched many new initiatives including health clinics for babies, a community chest for citizens in need and puppet shows for children. They began hosting the Inaugural Ball for the governor and opened the Bargain Box in Cameron Village to raise funds to sponsor more community organizations.

Fast forward to today, the JLR has changed and grown in extraordinary ways, benefitting more than 170 Wake County nonprofit agencies and projects. Our nearly 500 active members commit thousands of hours annually. We seek to expand and deepen our reach in the community year after year to enhance the quality of life and the future of Raleigh.