Junior League of Birmingham seeks to empower women

BIRMINGHAM — The Junior League of Birmingham brings together Oakland County women to make a positive impact in their community.

With a mission centered around community impact and the professional development of women, instead of doing a little bit for a lot of different causes, the Junior League of Birmingham is currently focusing on making a bigger impact to help women in crisis.

They are trying to funnel all of their volunteer budget and hours into Haven of Oakland County, a comprehensive program for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

“We have really partnered up with Haven this year to see what we can do as far as building a more sustained impact,” Junior League of Birmingham President Melanie Esland said.

As for promoting the professional development of women, the Junior League offers a variety of leadership training for women.

“The belief is if we can train women to be better leaders and we give them opportunities to demonstrate that leadership in the community through volunteering, then, hopefully, magic will happen,” Esland said.

Esland said that she thinks it is the combination of professional development and volunteering that makes the impact powerful.

The Little Black Dress Initiative was founded in 2014 by the Junior League of London during Fashion Week as a week-long fundraising campaign to raise awareness of the restrictions poverty places on choices, opportunities and access to resources.

In solidarity with the initiative, participants at these events are encouraged to wear a black dress or outfit to the brunch.

During the local event, Esland will moderate a fireside chat with speakers KimArie Yowell, chief learning officer and vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion at Rocket Central; Lee Padgett, the founder and CEO of Busted Bra Shop and U.S. Navy veteran; and Priscilla King Archangel, a leadership consultant and executive coach.

Tickets to the Little Black Dress Brunch can be purchased at birminghammi.jl.org.

Another upcoming event is “I am the One,” a Public Policy Institute curriculum and training event. This will be open to the public and will be held at the Community House on April 15. Tickets for members cost $45, and tickets for the community cost $55.

Junior League of Birmingham training and meetings are held at the Community House. This relationship began pre-COVID and has returned this last year.

“We try and support organizations that have a similar mindset so when we were approached by the Junior League for a potential meeting space, it was a natural fit, because we are both community-supporting organizations,” Community House Chief Operating Officer Tim Hunt said.

To join, applicants must be 21 or older and reside within the metro Detroit area. New members are accepted in the fall and spring. Once accepted, members are invited to join a five-month class to equip them with the knowledge and tools they will need. Members are required to attend meetings, complete volunteer hours and pay dues.

The organization has two classes of members. Active members sit on committees and volunteer as a part of their requirements for their membership. Once a member has been active for eight years, they can become a sustainer member, and these requirements are no longer in place.