1925-26 – Mrs. Lawrence F. Tucker, President
Admitted to AJLA in January, 1925, with 10 charter members, 75th League in the U.S. and first in Virginia. Motor Corps organized to provide transportation for various charities. First annual Cabaret as moneymaking project nets $1,536.30.
1926-1927 – Mrs. B. Saunders Wright, President
League begins its first project. Workshop for the Blind. Second annual Cabaret nets $2,018.74.
1927-1928 – Mrs. Andrew J. Davis, President
Newssheet published for the first time. Workshop for the Blind moves to larger quarters. Circulating Library established. Third annual Cabaret nets $2,488.58.
1928-1929 – Mrs. Andrew J. Davis, President
Begin assistance at King’s Daughters free baby clinic. Lynchburg sponsored for admittance to AJLA. Edition of the Ledger-Dispatch edited and sold by League nets $2,298.88. Fourth annual Cabaret nets $183.34
1929-1930 – Mrs. Leigh D. Williams, President
Edit and sell Ledger-Dispatch for second time, net $2,950. Fifth annual Cabaret nets $533.80.
1930-1931 – Mrs. Leigh D. Williams, President
Regional Conference held in Norfolk. Junior League edition of the Virginian-Pilot nets $3,745.92. Sixth annual Cabaret nets $405.22.
1931-1932 – Mrs. Nathan H. Bundy, President
First Children’s Play, “Cinderella,” produced. Workshop for the Blind combined with Goodwill Industries. Seventh annual Cabaret nets $9.77.
1932-1933 – Mrs. Barton Myers, Jr., President
Produce second Children’s Play, “The Steadfast Tin Soldier.” Second-hand book and furniture shop opened at the Goodwill Carnival nets $678.60.
1933-1934 – Mrs. Barton Myers, Jr., President
Four Junior Leagues of Virginia work out plans for the study of Child Welfare in the state. No moneymaking project.
1934-1935 – Mrs. Lenior Chambers, President
Goodwill thrift shop located on Bank Street. “Sleeping Beauty” presented. Horse show nets $400.
1935-1936 – Mrs. William Moss, President
Social Service Exchange supported by financial aid and volunteer service. Training at Goodwill Industries for disabled persons arranged with State Superintendent of Rehabilitation. Five 15-minute radio plays presented.
1936-1937 – Mrs. William Moss, President
League sponsors Children’s Entertainment Bureau. Goodwill Industries expanded. Bank Street location given up and thrift shop made part of the Goodwill. Sponsorship of Tidewater Horse Show at Carolanne Farms nets $662.43 and Horse Show Ball $239.90.
1937-1938 – Mrs. John Edmondson, President
League opens office and place for meetings at the Myers House. Property with building on Banks Street bought by Goodwill Industries for $25,000 with League making down payment of $5,000. League realizes $1,000 on sponsorship of Collen Moore’s Doll House. Second Horse Show nets $1,025.
1938-1939 – Mrs. John Twohy, II, President
Symphony Concert Association for Young People organized. Committee makes study to ascertain need for a Mental Hygiene Clinic. Production of the “Gaieties” nets $463.63. Horse Show and Horse Show Ball together net $589.10.
1939-1940 – Mrs. James Hoge Tyler, III, President
Mrs. John Twohy, II, elected Director of Region Three of AJLA. Work continues on Mental Hygiene Clinic. Music Appreciation Course organized and sponsored in connection with the Norfolk Civic Symphony. Surf Club Dance nets $659.21.
1940-1941 – Mrs. James Hoge Tyler, III, President
Members work at Red Cross. Story-telling hour for children, “Land of Make Believe,” broadcast every Saturday. Newssheet revived. Surf Club Dance nets $511.29.
1941-1942 – Mrs. Richard P. Thomsen, President
League sponsors Norfolk’s first meeting of the Mental Hygiene Society of Virginia. Puppet equipment turned over to Holt Street Community Center. Civilian Defense Volunteer Office organized. Professionals organize recreation program for enlisted men at Navy Y.M.C.A. League nets $818.43 from Surf Club Dance after giving $700 to Bundles for Britain.
1942-1943 – Mrs. James V. Bickford, Jr., President
During “Women-at-War Week” the League inaugurates a concentrated bond-selling campaign. A rally held and $34,000 in bonds and stamps sold. Regular community jobs filled as well as wartime undertakings.
1943-1944 – Mrs. Leonard H. Davis, President
Major emphasis on wartime volunteer activities. Child Welfare Bill, supported by four Virginia Leagues, passed Virginia Legislature.
1944-1945 – Mrs. Leonard H. Davis, President
Plans make for establishment of Thrift Shop as permanent moneymaking project. Twentieth Anniversary observance.
1945-1946 – Mrs. James A. Carney, President
Succeeded September, 1945, by Mrs. William P. Woodley
Victory Canned Food Drive for Overseas Relief. Play Observation Room for Mental Hygiene Clinic equipped and operated. Thrift Shop opens on May 13th with the first day’s receipts totaling $361.40. After four weeks of operation gross profit is $1,486.04.
1946-1947 – Mrs. W. Perry Moore, Jr., President
Net Profit from Follies $2,181.39. Thrift Shop nets $1,753.48.
1947-1948 – Mrs. W. Perry Moore, Jr., President
Sponsor Barter Theater. Radio program, “Books Bring Adventure,” launched over WLOW. Thrift Shop nets $1,125.71.
1948-1949 – Miss Eugenia Scott, President
Sponsorships of Barter Theater nets $178 with proceeds going to Building Fund of Norfolk Little Theater. Production of “Pinnocchio” by Suzari Puppets presented to 3,000 children. “Books Bring Adventure” series continued. Thrift Shop nets $2,027.79.
1949-1950 – Miss Eugenia Scott, President
Central Dental Clinic established with sponsorship by League and Norfolk School Board; cost to League $2,421.30. Radio series for in-school listening, “Magic in Musicland,” presented. $600 given to Norfolk Orchestral Association. Thrift Shop nets $1,606.67.
1950-1951 – Mrs. Virgil F. Laws, President
$369.10 given to Central Dental Clinic. League contributes $1,287.07 for establishment of Cerebral Palsy Training Center. Performance by Cornelia Otis Skinner nets $1625.94. Thrift Shop nets $2,890.70.
1951-1952 – Mrs. Virgil F. Laws, President
$2,400 contributed to Cerebral Palsy Training Center; $388.27 to Central Dental Clinic. “Listen to a Legend” series presented for in-school listening. Charity Ball at Cavalier Beach Club nets $919.66. Thrift Shop nets $3,546.33.
1952-1953 – Mrs. Clement Kester, President
Myers House becomes League cultural project with $2,039.50 given toward renovation. $2,400 given to Cerebral Palsy Training Center; $232 to Central Dental Clinic. Charity Ball at Surf Club nets $2,030.93 Thrift Shop nets $4,800.
1953-1954 – Mrs. Clement Kester, President
$2,446.75 given to Cerebral Palsy Training Center; $103.80 to Central Dental Clinic. League-sponsored performance of “Harvey” by Little Theater nets $500 for Building Fund. $250 given to Feldman Chamber Music Society. Sponsor week at the Blood Bank. League first recipient of the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Silver Mace Award. Benefit Ball at the Cavalier Beach Club nets $1,875. Thrift Shop nets $4,831.64.
1954-1955 – Mrs. Charles E. Snyder, Jr., President
$2,400 given to Cerebral Palsy Training Center. Central Dental Clinic turned over to Norfolk Public Schools; Clinic receives $263.45 from League. $366.25 spent on Myers House; League starts program of showing Myers House to school children. Blood donations given to Blood Bank. Hostess League to Region XI in Williamsburg. Dance at the Cavalier Beach and Cabana Club nets $950. Thrift Shops nets $3,304.54.
1955-1956 – Mrs. Charles E. Snyder, Jr. President
$2,400 contributed to Cerebral Palsy Training Center. $197.20 given for restoration of a Myers House Bedroom. Community Music School awarded a $125 scholarship. League contributes $250 to co-sponsor Norfolk Symphony Youth Orchestra for one season. Thrift Shop $3,743.24.
1956-1957 – Mrs. W. Wallace Starke, Jr., President
Research being done to determine need for Volunteer Service Bureau. $1,367 given to equipment for the new building of Goodwill Industries. $2,400 contributed to Cerebral Palsy Training Center. Norfolk Division of the William and Mary School of Social Work awarded a $325 scholarship. $53.51 given to Myers House project. League sponsors week at Blood Bank. Thrift Shop nets $3,151,14.
1957-1958 – Mrs. W. Wallace Starke, Jr., President
Volunteer Service Bureau launched under joint sponsorship of the League and the Council of Social Agencies with the League contributing $2,810.97. Cerebral Palsy Training Center project terminated with final payment to Norfolk School Board of $1,800. $573.38 spent on Myers House project; second bedroom furnished. Mrs. Charles E. Snyder, Jr., elected Director of Region XI. “Conference-Miniature” co-sponsored by the Junior League of Norfolk and Hampton Roads. Food Concession at Industrial Trade Fair nets $405.94. Thrift Shop nets $3061.86.
1958-1959 – Mrs. Mason C. Andrews, President
League gives $3,691.27 to Volunteer Service Bureau. $427.77 spent on Myers House Furnishings. Training for Norfolk Museum docents begins. Research done on possibility of establishing a speech and hearing clinic. Plans made for International Azalea Ball. Norfolk Children’s Theater performs at Virginia Beach. League earns $85. Cavalier Beach Club Ball nets $4,135.98. Thrift Shop nets $2,630.63.
1959-1960 – Mrs. James Rouse (formerly Mrs. John F. Rixey), President
$3,800 contributed to Volunteer Service Bureau. $500 given to Myers House as a final contribution. First tours conducted by docents at Norfolk Museum. New brochure on Norfolk League published. League and Council of Social Agencies co-sponsor Forum on Community Planning and a lecture on Aging. League opens office at 434 Pembroke Avenue. First International Azalea Ball sponsored by League nets $6,876.89. Thrift shop nets $3,074.78.
1960-1961 – Mrs. James Rouse (formerly Mrs. John F. Rixey), President
$2,875 given to Volunteer Service Bureau. $4,930 given for testing booth and equipment at William and Mary Speech and Hearing Center. Forum on “Today’s Health-Tomorrow’s Challenge” co-sponsored with the Health, Welfare and Recreation Planning Council and local medical and dental societies. Planning begins for Tidewater Conference on the handicapped. Research done on possibility of restoring house at 601 E. Freemason Street. League year changed to begin in June instead of April. Second International Azalea Ball in April 1960, nets $6,475.45; Third Ball in April, 1961, nets $7.065.88. Thrift Shop nets $1,918.32 and moves to a new location at 1106 Granby Street.
1961-1962 – Mrs. John E. Krome, President
League co-sponsors Tidewater Conference on the handicapped with Virginia council on Health and Medical Care. Sponsors of conference appoint Steering Committee to work toward permanent Council for the handicapped. League gives $1,800 toward salary of Director of Health Services in Health-Welfare-Recreation Planning Council. $1,000 given to Norfolk Public Library Friends Trust Fund. League Votes financial support for Norfolk Symphony family concert at Virginia Beach in fall of 1962. Fourth Azalea Ball nets $7,214.20. Thrift Shop nets $5,562.79.
1962-1963 – Mrs. J. Burks Withers, Jr., President
League votes $26,000 for Southeastern Tidewater Rehabilitation-Training Center. $12,500 allocated to Norfolk Historic Foundation for restoration of Willoughby-Baylor House at 601 E. Freemason Street. $1,800 given toward salary of Director of Health Service in Health-Welfare-Recreation Planning Council. Council assumes operation of Volunteer Service Bureau. League and other local organizations co-sponsor Conference on the Gifted Child, a session of the annual meeting of the Virginia Council on Social Welfare, and publication of “Teen-Parent Guide.” League-sponsored concert by Norfolk Symphony Orchestra given at Virginia Beach. Puppet committee presents “the Magic Onion.” Mrs. John F. Rixey elected to two-year term as Director of Region XI. Fifth International Azalea Ball nets $7,100. Thrift Shop nets $6,190.27.
1963-1964 – Mrs. David A. Dashiell, Jr., President
League presents second Family Pops Concert by Norfolk Symphony Orchestra at Virginia Beach. $225 given to Volunteer Services Bureau for teen-age program. Second annual Gifted Child Conference co-sponsored by League and other organizations. Norfolk League hostess to meeting of Region XI with Mrs. John F. Rixey, Regional Director, presiding. Sixth International Azalea Ball nets $6,700. Thrift Shop nets $8,215.70.
1964-1965 – Mrs. Gerald G. Williams, President
Two-year scholarship totaling $1,000 granted handicapped student at Old Dominion College. Final Family Pops Concert given by Norfolk Symphony Orchestra at Virginia Beach. Spode Newburyport dinner service ordered for the Myers House. 40th Anniversary brochure published. Seventh International Azalea Ball nets $7,500. Thrift Shop nets $$6088.93.
1965-1966 – Mary Ruffin (formerly Mrs. Robert P. Albergotti, Jr.), President
$20,000 committed toward salary for two years of Art Education Director at Norfolk Museum. Museum hires Mr. Richard Carroll to fill new position. Eighth International Azalea Ball nets $6,587.21. Thrift Shop nets $9,000 in its first year of operation at 1910 Granby Street.
1966-1967 – Mary Ruffin (formerly Mrs. Robert P. Albergotti, Jr.), President
Visit from Regional Director, Mrs. Norton Dulaney, to combined memberships of Hampton Roads and Norfolk. Museum’s docents complete training and first year under Mr. Richard Carroll. Increase in membership dues. The Ninth international Azalea Ball nets $7,300.35. League re-evaluated Ball; votes to continue it as money-raising activity. Thrift shop nets $10,612.62. Boutique initiated by Sustainers at shop.
1967-1968 – Mrs. H. Clarkson Meredith, Jr., President
Full-scale volunteer service begins at Tidewater Rehabilitation Institute and $5,000 contributed for first years’ operating expenses. League volunteers along with other groups in program to test area school children for heart defects and contributes $2,850.00 for one of the needed pieces of testing equipment, a Phono-Cardio Scan Computer. Norfolk Museum Docent Program in second year expands to fifteen-week training for a double number of docents; League votes to extend Museum program into teen-age and adult experimental field for a sum not to exceed $20,000 over a two-year period. Approved $30,000 to initiate a three-year project with Norfolk Symphony Association to underwrite the salary of Business-Volunteer Manager. League notes sum of $7,500 for Family Life Education Project in conjunction with Health, Welfare, and Recreation Planning Council, which includes plans for area-wide conference. $325.00 given to Volunteer Service Bureau for teen-age volunteer service program. Community Research Committee established. League office space enlarged. Thrift Shop gives $10,000 to Community Trust Fund. Number of host tables for Tenth International Azalea Ball reduced and price of remainder increased; Ball nets $8,458.00.
1968-1969 – Mrs. H. Clarkson Meredith, Jr., President
League votes $1,000 to equip business office; professional secretary hired. Visit from Regional Director, Mrs. Paul W. McCreight. Bylaws and Charter amended to allow President to appoint all committee chairmen and Executive Committee to create Standing Committees as needed. Membership votes to staff Thrift Shop on rotating basis throughout year. Thrift Shop contributes $10,000 to Community Trust Fund. $9,000 contributed toward co-sponsorship, with other community agencies, of Tidewater Conference on Family Living; $10,000 contributed to Norfolk Symphony Association for first year’s commitment to management grant; $11,200 given to Norfolk Museum of Art & Sciences for Adult Education project; Final $5,000 payment for operating expenses given to Tidewater Rehabilitation Institute. Puppet Committee begins work on new Marionette troupe. Eleventh International Azalea Ball nets $11,718.07.
1969-1970 – Mrs. Jerome E. Adamson, President
Community Research Committee active in establishing a volunteer program for the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court System; $2,500 appropriated for the development of a probation camp sponsored by the Friends of the Juvenile Court, Inc.; $9,000 a year for three years committed to project extension of the Tidewater Conference on Family Life; $10,000 given for second year for salary of business manager of Norfolk Symphony Association; Provisional Course “Know Your Community,” co-sponsored with Old Dominion University and open to the public; Puppet Committee launches series of marionette shows; Thrift shop nets $14,000. Twelfth International Azalea Ball nets $9,500.
1970-1971 – Mrs. John E. Clarkson, President
Family Life Education Project progresses in second year with six volunteer task forces in operation, $9,000 given for FLE staff; final payment of $10,000 to Norfolk Symphony for Business Manager’s salary; League pledges $1,000 and for steering committee to establish Drug Counseling and Referral Outreach Center at Virginia Beach; League initiates “Flea Market” a monthly community service education program on WHRO-TV; $1,500 given to summer camp for juvenile offenders; League moves office to Hague Towers Apartment; League changes its name to include Beach area and becomes Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach, Inc.; Thirteenth Azalea Ball nets $6,870; Thrift Shop nets $12,000.
1971-1972 – Mrs. Samuel B. Segar, Jr., President
Association changes include our League as member of Test Area Council II and hostess to “Opportunities Unlimited” fall Seminar. Board Orientation adds Parliamentary Procedure and workshop entitled “The Community as a System” to its plan for leadership training. State Public Affairs Committee is formed and local action is taken on Returnable Bottle Bill. New Public Relations brochures are printed and eight “Flea Market” programs are presented on WHRO-TV monthly. $9,000 given to The Tidewater Assembly on Family life for continuation of project; $2,000 given to Drug Outreach Center for educational resource library; $1,500 supports C. W. Young Summer Camp sponsored by Friends of the Juvenile Court; $4,000 to Tidewater Association for Retarded Children promotes continuation of Area Developmental Training Centers; puppets serve handicapped, retarded and aged audiences. Thrift Shop realizes $9,400 profit; Fourteenth International Azalea Ball, “Scores at Scope” netting record $19,500 profit.
1972-1973 – Mrs. George A. Harkins, President
Advisory Planning workshop identified priorities of membership. Research by combined Community Research and Projects led to League support of regional concept of juvenile facilities in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake; development of a girls’ group home under auspices of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court with maximum of $8,000 for renovation costs. Preliminary research: learning disabilities, Virginia Beach Art Center project. Public Affairs/Environmental: continued support of “return to the returnables;” research and unbiased area-wide forum of proposed petro-chemical complexes in Tidewater area. League opposes petro-chemical development in Tidewater. Final payment: $9,000 – Tidewater Assembly on Family Life. Project highlights: “People Puzzle” TV program; the Program Fair; grant application for curriculum development funds; federal and local funds support continuation of program. Final year: $1,500 – C.W. Young Summer Camp for Juveniles. $300 release from Drug Center Library Funds for medical supplies; $250 – Support for Volunteer Service Bureau Teen Volunteers Program. Original puppets, script and coloring book: “Johnny Cares A Lot.” Mrs. Jerome Adamson member of first Area II Council. 27th and final year of Thrift Shop nets $4,500. Fifteenth Azalea Ball nets $13,000.
1973-1974 – Mrs. George A Harkins, President
In-League: Board structure with emphasis on community; revised proposal form and yardstick; new Admissions Bylaws; Forum Submission ’74 AJL Meeting; 50th Anniversary Committee appointed – theme for the year: Citizen Participation; Press kit; 12 members participate in Area and AJL meetings. Education: two provisional meetings open to the public; Living Puppets: original script and coloring book. Research: Citizens for Chesapeake Bay, potential regional project – $125 seed money; historic houses; learning disabilities; critical blood need; day care; cassette program for Chrysler Museum – $150 seed money; Fort Story housing; Criminal Justice – Norfolk and Virginia Beach by IMPACT delegates. Public Action: Opposition to petro-chemical development in Tidewater; Fort Story; Bottling issue. Co-sponsorships: The Family Fair; Symposium on Child Abuse. League assists Tidewater Conference on the Handicapped. Projects: Virginia Beach Historical Exhibit – $4,150; Girls’ Group Home Project; Tidewater Assembly on Family Life presented as outstanding project to 1974 AJL meeting and featured in AJL Magazine. Continues wide community impact. Money raisers: Sixteenth Azalea Ball nets $14,000 for Junior League and International Festival Committee joint board – $7,000 for League. Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Puzzle initiated.
1974 – 1975 — Mrs. John M. Berkley, President
Fiftieth Anniversary highlights the year: Mary Poole, President of AJL, conducted the first joint meeting of the five Virginia Leagues held in Williamsburg at the invitation of the Norfolk-Virginia Beach League. Anniversary luncheon and skit planned by the Sustainers, an overwhelming success. Anniversary brochure printed. Training furthered through invitation of the Association Management Process and Professional Board Orientation. Women’s Roundtable of Tidewater begun by League. Sponsored: Trip for area juvenile judges to state detention facilities, drafted a pro-con fact sheet on the West-Norfolk refinery and reaffirmed opposition to it. Co-Sponsored: SPAC legislative packet on criminal justice presented to the General Assembly, purchase of film “Children in Trouble” with Friends of the Court for $265.00 each, graduate course in Group Counseling with Friends of the Court State-Wide Symposium on child abuse with the University of Virginia, voted on conference “The Family-Will It Survive?” to be held with The Planning Council and Eastern Virginia Medical School in September, 1976. Projects: $500.00 to Y-nots, $4,150.00 final payment to the Virginia Beach Arts Center for Bicentennial Historical Exhibit. $100.00 seed money given for pilot course for volunteers working with the learning disabled to co-sponsored with ODU and other civic groups. Fund-raisers: Azalea Ball netted $3,500, 1,500 puzzles sold. Voted to hold a rummage sale in the fall of 1975 to become a permanent fund-raiser if deemed successful.
1975 – 1976 — Mrs. E. Stanley Avery, Jr., President
Implementation of the Association Management Process continued. Two members trained to conduct Career Development courses for membership. Annual meeting with Community Advisors established. Hosted joint day-long meeting with the Hampton Roads League. Sale of puzzles continued. Living puppets entertained special children. First annual “Whale of a Sale” was a tremendous success. Netted $12,400. Azalea Ball netted $5,800. Co-sponsored with the Tidewater Assembly on Family Life the conference “The Family – It Must Survive.” Coordinated the visit of the American Wind Symphony to Norfolk. $300 given to establish the Metropolitan Arts Congress. Granted $1,000 to the Arts Congress for a regional conference on the arts. Chaired State Public Affairs Committee. Endorsed proposed Juvenile Code Revisions, returnable bottle bill, and various local issues. Opposition to the establishment of petrochemical complex continued. Co-sponsored with Old Dominion and other civic groups training course for volunteers working with learning disabled children. Conducted Association of Junior Leagues survey of the rights of children in this area. Girls’ Group Probation Home – Lake House opened. Office moved to historic landmark, the Old Norfolk Academy Building, which is now the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce Office.
1976 – 1977 — Mrs. W. Claiborne Coupland, Jr., President
Emphasis on membership training. Mini-courses, skills, workshops, Association Management Process and Career Development offered. Expanded social activities. Fund: Concession Stands for Bicentennial Operation Sail Festivities, $1,800; Second Whale of a Sale, $19,000; Nineteenth International Azalea Ball, $3,200.00. Co-sponsored symposium: The Arts and the Audience in Tidewater. Voted $12,000 to the Metropolitan Arts Congress. Board of Managers allocated $500 to CARE and $500 seed money to the pilot program for the Children’s Art Center. Ad Hoc Committee appointed to study Bylaws and policies. Major Bylaw revisions presented to and adopted by the membership. The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel Puzzle was terminated as a fund-raiser. League voted to change format of both Newssheet and Yearbook. Lake House celebrates first year of operation. Candidate forum sponsored. League continued to develop use of management skills and roles of the advocate.
1977 – 1978 — Mrs. Hugh L. Patterson, President
Board of Directors of AJL recommended we pursue a merge with Portsmouth Service League (PSL). Ad Hoc Committee formed of JLNVB and PSL to work on plan for merger and plans for a future Junior League of Tidewater, Virginia. Three trips by AJL Admission Committee members. Merger vote failed in May. Membership Practices, the need to broaden our base of membership, stressed. Membership voted against continuing to sponsor the Azalea Ball. Voted $200 and co-sponsored seminar on Juvenile Justice. Third Whale of a Sale netted $16,150. League endorsed Public Stand for more public funding for the arts in Virginia, and continued to oppose the establishment of petrochemical companies in Tidewater (Portsmouth Refinery). Voted $38,000 for projects. $17,000 voted for a three-year Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) project with the Tidewater Chapter of the American Heart Association, with a goal of training 18,000 people in Tidewater in three years. A three-year commitment and $12,000 were given for program development to the Children’s Art Center. $9,000 was voted for staff positions for the Metropolitan Arts Congress (MAC). Child Advocacy worked for establishment of Emergency Crisis Shelter for victims of family violence. Sustainers sponsored reception for Azalea Queen after Symphony Pops Concert. Sponsored WOMEN AND MONEY forum with First and Merchants Bank for 500 Tidewater women. Public meeting to discuss Proposed Coastal Resources Management Program. Advocacy emphasized.
1978 – 1979 — Mrs. Robert G. Doumar, President
Membership voted in favor of sponsoring the Shamrock Marathon with the Tidewater Striders. Membership Training offered many courses to improve skills. Fourth Whale of a Sale produced $18,000 and $7,000 resulted from the Shamrock Marathon. Sally Austin Anthony Emergency Shelter established, with Child Advocacy Task Force monitoring its first year of operation. In recognition of the International Year of the Child, membership voted $5,000 for a Fall, 1979 Conference on the Status of Children. Voted the Metropolitan Arts Congress a third-year commitment of $6,000 for staff salaries, and the Arts Task Force voted to sponsor a “First Citizen of the Arts Award” ceremony with MAC. A new Health Task Force was formed. Continued opposition to petrochemical complexes in Tidewater and study of Coastal Resources Management. State Public Affairs Committee, under chairmanship of one of our League members, adopted uniform Public Affairs, Guideline for all five Virginia Leagues and updated its 1975 Position Statement on Juvenile Justice. Membership voted against the Association of Junior Leagues’ involvement in the Equal Rights issue. The Board Manual was rewritten and a new Public Relations brochure was agreed upon. A Professional Resource Register was begun. Membership agreed to participate in an Organizational Self-Assessment Survey; and, separating our policies from our procedures, we incorporated them into our Bylaws. Finance Committee recommended creation of a “Special Gifts and Tributes Fund.”
1979 – 1980 — Mrs. Alfred Bernard, III, President
Community: Continued use of advocacy skills for voluntarism, children, public funding for Art Coastal Regional Management, delinquency prevention, and petrochemical complexes. Provided services in 26 community areas, contributing 30,310 hours. Contributed $25,000 to projects: MAC, CPR, CAC, and Hospice. Monitored one grant, applied for a second. Increased public involvement by cosponsoring a statewide conference on parenting, a local conference on the International Year of the Child, and the joint presentation of the First Citizen of the Arts Awards. Continued CPR training. Presented Volunteer Career Development to the community. Joined both local Chambers of Commerce. In-League: Administered OSA and collated data. Appointed Ad Hoc Committees on long-range corporate plans and more immediate admission process changes. Continued and expanded training and education in diverse areas of finances, health, parliamentary procedure, drafting of Background Papers and Position Statements. Streamlined Newssheet and Yearbook as sources of immediate information. Eliminated separate Professional Committee. Explored areas for potential inter-League action. Created a Special Gifts Fund. Bought new office copier. Funding: Netted $18,000 from Whale of a Sale. Voted for Mistletoe Mart and concession packet as future fund-raiser.
1980 – 1981 — Mrs. Earle E. Bortell, Jr., President
Whale of a Sale raised $28,000. Mistletoe Mart preparation begun. Outstanding Sustainer for 1981 was Emily Harkins and Jean Canoles Bruce was elected the League’s seventh honorary member. Ad Hoc Committee on Future Planning developed a Five-year Plan stressing finance, administration, membership, and the community. Bylaws Committee, with recommendations from the Ad Hoc Committee on Admissions, formulated a non-secret, sponsored admissions system and combined Admissions and Provisional Committees. Child Advocacy Task Force secured a $1,000 grant from Tidewater’s Children’s Foundation for the Sally Anthony Emergency Shelter for abused children. Two proposals, Infant Stimulation and a Parenting Conference accepted by membership as projects. Task Force on Environment developed an Environmental Conference and Lecture Series with ODU. Health Task Force joined with Health, Welfare, and Recreation Planning Council to develop Regional Hospice Council of Tidewater. New task force, Community Research, studies public education and feasibility of a regional poison control center. Contributions to projects, CPR, Children’s Art Center, and Hospice, totaled $10,144. Membership passed twelve amendments to the Bylaws and revised the corporate charter to raise the maximum number of Board members to 25.
1981 – 1982 — Mrs. Alan P. Owens, President
Regional Hospice Council of Tidewater project completed with final grant of $10,000. League co-sponsored with ODU a series of six public lectures on environment. $2,500 awarded to Planning Council for a mini-conference on perinatal education. Children of the 80′s Conference, a three-day forum on effective parenting and communication skills, presented in cooperation with other community programs. Tidewater Children’s Foundation awarded a $1,900 grant to that project. Membership voted $18,00 for a Chesapeake Bay Touch Tank to be constructed in the Museum of Marine Sciences. Work done with CHKD to develop a regional poison control center. CAB researched position statements on health and on public education. Child Advocacy members served on a Multi-discipline Team to prevent child abuse and neglect. League reps participated in study to coordinate child care service in Norfolk and served on Tidewater Task Force on Child Care. Total revision of the League’s bylaws was accomplished. William E. Wood and Associated Realtors underwrote a portion of the League’s fund-raiser, The Mistletoe Mart, which netted $24,000. Under first year of non-secret, sponsored system, the Admission/Provisional Committee extended invitations to 72 new members. The Outstanding Sustainer for 1981 was Connie W. Gregg. Total number of hours volunteered by League members exceeded 40,000.
1982 – 1983 — Mrs. Stephen M. Campbell, President
New position statements were approved on health, public education and women’s issues. Three projects were voted a total of $22,500: YWCA Shelter for battered women and children, $15,000; Regional Advocacy Conference, $2,400; WHRO Parenting Film, $5,000. Bylaw changes enlarged the geographic admissions area and combined the Community Trust Fund and Administrative accounts. New procedure provides for a sabbatical leave for women with five year’s active membership and for women eligible to sustain. Corporate charter revised and approved by the S.C.C. League goals adopted for three years and new procedure voted to develop objectives. Admissions/Provisional completed first full year under non-secret, sponsored system and recommended 52 women for provisional status and 55 for active status. Most successful fund-raiser to date, 6th Annual Whale, netted $30,000 and benefited from involvement of many Sustainers. $400 voted for AJL Child Watch project conducted locally with Tidewater Child Care Association. $250 voted for P.R. campaign with United Ad Council entitled “Volunteers are Priceless.” Three-year, fund-raising package adopted. Work on cookbook begun with publication set for 1985. Ad Hoc Committee on Technology recommended purchase of IBM personal computer. Ad Hoc Committee formed to plan celebration of League’s 60th Anniversary.
1983 – 1984 — Mrs. John R. Bellis, President
Over 44,000 volunteer hours contributed. Community projects provided $31,500: $2,400, Advocacy Skills Conference, Virginia’s first; $5,100, “Parenting” film – WHRO-TV production with League-prepared educational materials; $15,000, YWCA Women-in-Crisis Shelter, first year of operation housed 194 women and 302 children; $9,000 Virginia Museum of Marine Sciences for construction of Chesapeake Bay Touch Tank. Child Watch project completed and reviewed by Children’s Defense Fund. Junior League invited to participate in Dialogue Group by Urban League of Tidewater. League received award from American Lung Association for smoking prevention program. Seventh Whale of a Sale netted $22,000. Cookbook recipe submission and testing under way. Store Day, a new and third fund-raiser voted for 84-85. Sustained Ad Hoc 60th Anniversary Committee preparing exhibit at Waterside and Cookbook Gala for 1985. Sustainers supported League as well by: working on Whale, advisors to all committees, information luncheon, and cookbook testing cocktail party. The League’s Community Service award was given to Douglass Kellam Patterson, Sustained of 1984. Bylaw changes provided for the election of Volunteer/Placement Committee and a new Advisory Status, a privilege for women with seven active years and three years JLNVB Board experience, two years if one is Executive Committee. League three-year goals and nine position statements reaffirmed, new O.S.A. recommended, and small business financial package purchased for League computer. A new Placement Fair held, pre-meeting dinners initiated, training package developed as an alternative to committee service, and bumper sticker “The Junior League Volunteers” campaign launched. League welcomed 45 new Active members and voted 52 into provisional status.
1984 – 1985 — Martha Jacobs Goodman, President
Sustained Ad Hoc 60th Anniversary Committee organized exhibit at Waterside to celebrate 60th year of JLNVB. Cities of Norfolk and Virginia Beach designated February as Junior League Month. Final payment of $9,000 made to Virginia Museum of Marine Sciences for the Touch Tank. Project LEAD funded for $1,800 with agreed participation by public and private schools in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. Public Issues Committee and membership reaffirmed existing position statements and adopted a new position statement on aging. Volunteer/Placement Committee researched new placement, conducted a placement fair and held spring interviews on one day in a central location. League members give a record 52,000 hours in community service. Mary Louis Campbell named Sustained of the Year. Media coverage of League in newspapers and on television. League welcomed 56 Provisionals. Bylaws changed to permit all Actives to propose candidates for Provisional status as well as serve on the Admissions/Provisional Committee. Special Gifts Fund successfully promoted. Whale of a Sale netted $28,500. Store Day netted $8,800. Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic was an additional fund-raiser, which holds a promise of future growth. Cookbook Board concentrated on design, content and marketing. Tide-ings developed a news magazine format. Sustainers concentrated on acquisition of Taylor-Whittle House and Cookbook Gala. Program Committee planned a “Hats On to Volunteers!” party, family picnic and dinners at meetings. Training Committee fulfilled its responsibility to train the membership and developed a training package for members in lieu of committee participation. Organizational Self Assessment provided a detailed, comprehensive portrait of the membership for use by Advisory Planning Committee in formulating a new three-year plan.
1985 – 1986 — Martha M. Watson, President
Headquarters of JLNVB moved to the Taylor-Whittle House, the oldest house in Norfolk. Tidewater on the Half Shell published with a 60th Anniversary Gala to celebrate its arrival. Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic netted $2,300. Whale of a Sale netted $27,000. Store Day netted $15,000. Community Response Fund established to respond quickly to community needs with up to $5,000. Spearheaded efforts to rehabilitate the Sally Anthony Emergency Shelter for Children. Family Communications Seminars project commenced in cooperation with the Norfolk LINKS to address issues surrounding adolescent pregnancy. JLNVB committed $24,000 over three years to this project. Project LEAD brought funding and volunteers from 20 organizations to JLNVB to establish a method to reach nontraditional student leaders. Publicity for TOTHS won first prize in the Multi-Media Category. Training Committee guided 13 members through the Facilitators Course.
1986 – 1987 — Carol F. Temple, President
The year 1986-87 brought significant changes in the League’s organization and philosophy. The League turned its attention to reorganizing its structure and clarifying its purpose. A major decision was made to focus our energies on one or two critical community needs. Adolescent pregnancy and illiteracy were identified as the areas of concern. In January, the League voted to operate under a council system and a smaller Board of Directors. The League also voted to fund three new projects aimed at reducing adolescent pregnancy: a phone line providing accurate information about sex to teens and parents; a project to encourage responsibility and self-esteem among young men; and a Teen Health Conference. The Community Response Fund awarded $5,000 to urgent community needs. The fund made great strides in raising funds for community projects. The Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic brought in $2,500; 1986 Whale of a Sale netted $19,000; Leggett Spring Sellabration brought $15,000; Tidewater on the Half Shell presented the League with a check for $40,000 in January. The League’s Public Relations brochure won first place in AJLI’s national Public Relations Contest.
1987 – 1988 — Loretta C. Grant, President
The AJL BMW Community Impact Award for our Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Initiative highlighted an outstanding year for the Community Council efforts. $5,000 was awarded through the Community Response Fund. Project Lead continued into its third year. A Community Advisory Board was established and a $1,000 grant voted to ensure the continuance of Project Lead. Family Communications Workshops moved into the second year. TIP (Telling It Personally), averaged around 600 calls a week by May. The Male Sexuality Awareness project provided support groups for 200 at-risk males in Norfolk and Virginia Beach. A Teen Health Conference for students and Health Education teachers from local senior high schools on issues related to teen mental and physical health was held. Advocacy efforts focused at state and local levels on the Family Life Education curriculum. $60,000 was voted to a three-year regional demonstration literacy project to be housed at Old Dominion University called PALS. The League will provide volunteers for screening of students, classroom aids, Beyond PALS programs, etc. Project PALS will teach adolescents and adults to read using an interactive computer and laser video disc system called Principle of the Alphabet Literacy System created by Dr. John Henry Martin.
1988 – 1989 — Mary Jean Levin, President
The opening of the PALS computer Laboratory at Old Dominion University was a highlight of the year and of the League’s continuing focus on reducing illiteracy. The $10,000 BMW Community Impact Award was invested in the Teen Health Center at Lake Taylor High School. $5,000 in grants were approved from the Community Response Fund addressing community problems outside of our focus areas. Whale of a Sale netted more than $28,000, Store Day netted almost $5,000, and Tidewater on the Half Shell netted $30,000 making the total the second highest amount in League history. An admission schedule was adopted which allows every step from proposal to completion of the Provisional course between September and May. Sustained of the year was Dorothy Mundy Doumar. Two League members were included in the premier class of Leadership Hampton Roads. The objective of reducing school dropouts in Norfolk and Virginia Beach through enrichment of middle school programs will help determine the emphasis of future projects and advocacy efforts.
1989 – 1990 — Glenda McKinnon, President
This year the League worked in the community in Literacy, Adolescent Pregnancy, and the Middle School Project; the League trained members, Provisional and Active; and the League improved its fiscal position, meeting the goals set for 1989-90. Our community involvements began with a coalition of ABC-TV, the Junior League of Hampton Roads, the United Way, the extension services, the Girl Scouts, the Planning Council, and First Hospital Corp. which planned and implemented Making the Grade, an area wide conference on youth issues. Other community involvements were PALS reading lab, Quest Teen Theater, the fifth Teen Health Fair, Leadership Hampton roads, continuing involvement in Adolescent Pregnancy issues and projects, as well as beginning the Middle School Improvement Project with the Norfolk Public School system and AJL. The Community Response Fund allocated $4000 for critical community needs. There was an emphasis on training from the Board of Directors to the councils and committees. Fund-raising efforts were outstanding. The Whale of a Sale netted $28,500, the cookbook $45,000, A Treat for Tidewater, netted $6600 from Leggett’s Dept. Stores and cookbook sales. A new effort, selling Sally Foster gift-wrap was very popular among those who participated. New initiatives included a support system for recently divorced members, which included actives and sustainers, a new project planned by Ways and Means for a lecture series, and the creation of an Operations Board chaired by the President Elect, which will improve the communication and implementation of League operations.
1990 – 1991 — Alice McKnight, President
In 1990-91 the League acquired use of the entire Taylor-Whittle House and with furnishings donated by the Friends of the Bousch-Tazewell-Waller House increased the use of headquarters. We completed the $60,000 commitment to the ODU adult literacy program and gave $10,000 in grants to critical community needs. We began the Lecture Series – “Junior League – Making a Difference.” Total funds netted by our fund-raisers equaled $71,800. The formation of the Operations Board increased training opportunities and made League Operations more effective.
1991 – 1992 — Linda Bruce Palmer, President
The League began its community project ” Building Better Babies,” a coupon incentive project to encourage prenatal care, in conjunction with WTKR, CHKD and Farm Fresh. The League’s commitment to the project will be $90,000. Successful cookbook sales, the Administrative Fund, Whale of a Sale, and Leggett’s Store Day again enabled us to provide $10,000 in community grants. Dr. Burton White was the featured speaker at the Lecture Series. School supplies for indigent children in eleven Norfolk Public Schools and gift boxes were distributed at Samaritan House. Environmental training was offered by the Virginia Beach recycling Center Coordinator and AJLI’s multiculturalism representative educated the membership on that issue.
1992 – 1993 — Kirkland Molloy Kelley, President
Formalized collaboration with WTKR-TV3, Farm Fresh/Farmco Pharmacies, and Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters and launched children’s wellness project, “Growing Up Great”, representing largest community collaboration and biggest allocation to funds ($90,000) on a single project to date. Throughout year, in addition to three prime time television specials, over 1,000 PSA’s ran on WTKR; thousands of informational brochures for parents were distributed; over 500 people attended parenting workshops; and over 2,000 immunizations were delivered to local children. Background work began for production of League-produced prenatal care handbook. Public Issues brought former State Senator Sonny Stallings to educate membership on legislative process and specific issues of gun control, resulting in letter writing campaign and lobbying efforts in support of legislation passed by Virginia General Assembly. Project Development led membership forum to assist with long-range planning; also developed new project, “The Career Closet,” to provide indigent women with clothes for job interviews. Community Response grants totaling $10,000 helped fund 14 different community needs, two-thirds directly benefiting local children. To enhance AIDS awareness and education in the community, League Lectures brought Arthur Ashe to Norfolk to speak on life’s challenges in, sadly, one of his final speaking engagements. Membership Council designed 3-year training agenda and developed sponsor’s brochure to assist with applications and admissions. Membership also researched issues of rolling admissions and combining Nominating and placement. Operations Board disbanded to empower Councils directly to manage League operations. Community Placements were streamlined to concentrate in focus areas. Four members attended AJLI-sponsored Organizational Development Institutes on Goal Center Approach to Strategic Planning from which “cross functional team” was established for evaluating current and alternative fund-raisers.
Current fund-raisers generated $52,000 in revenues. Celebrating seventh anniversary, Tidewater on the Halfshell” contributed $20,000; and making return appearance, Whale of A Sale earned $22,550. In conjunction with opening of new Harbor Park, new fundraiser held selling tickets to a Norfolk Tides game. Leggett Store Day and administrative fund-raiser rounded totals.
