Celebrate 95 Years of community service with the Junior League of Greenville

More than nine decades of women’s leadership and community service wouldn’t have been possible without long-term partnerships between the Junior League of Greenville and many of Greenville’s keystone nonprofits.

The organization has been a force for positive change over the years, empowering women and supporting initiatives that serve critical needs in the area. The support comes in three meaningful ways: through leadership development, volunteer service by Junior League members and in capacity-building grants awarded each year, said Mary Latrick, community impact vice president for the Junior League of Greenville.

“The Community Enrichment Committee (of the Community Impact Council) sends volunteers to all the different agencies that we partner with to support them in their efforts throughout the year,” said Latrick, who oversees the Community Impact Council. “And the Grant Committee has the good fortune to be able to give away critical funding to different agencies in the area that go through an application process.”

This year, the Junior League’s members volunteered with Pendleton Place, Jasmine Road, United Ministries, the Julie Valentine Center and SWITCH. Additionally, GirlUp GVL, the Greenville Free Medical Clinic, the Nicholtown Child and Family Collaborative, Soteria Community Development Center, and Triune Mercy Center received a total of $50,000 in grants for 2023-2024 League Year.

The Junior League is raising funds to further its mission of advancing women’s leadership through meaningful community impact at its Celebrating With Purpose: Mardi Gras Magic gala on March 1, 2025, at The 405. This event also celebrates the remarkable achievements of its grants recipients and honors the League’s 95th anniversary milestone.

“We’re inviting our grant recipients this year to be recognized,” Latrick said. “It’s a lovely celebration, but it’s also a good purpose to make folks aware of the impact that their donations have.”

A perfect way to celebrate nearly a century of important work in the Upstate – and of impacting women’s lives, Latrick said.

“Part of our mission is to advance women’s leadership,” she said. “Not only are they getting the opportunity to work with these nonprofits, they’re getting the opportunity to learn on our different committees. They really have that support network to become an effective leader in the community.”

For more information and tickets to Celebrating With Purpose, visit jlgreenville.org.