Leading The League - Junior League Greenville

If the words “Junior League” conjure up images of well-heeled women in Jackie O suits and pillbox hats, you aren’t necessarily alone. But you also aren’t correct.

The organization has evolved and strives to serve the community in meaningful ways, says Sarah Brand, who is President-Elect of the Junior League of Greenville and will become President in June.

“I am grateful that we are meeting women where they are. We want to be relevant to women in today’s society,” she says.

The Junior League of Greenville has a membership of more than 1,100 women. “If you think about the strengths of 1,100 women, that benefits not only the Junior League of Greenville but also the Upstate community.”

Almost 100 women joined the latest class of new members. Recruiting for the next group will begin in October.

“Our new members have an incredible diversity of experiences and backgrounds. We have everyone from new graduates to seasoned professionals to retirees. We see women in every season of life,” says Brand, a wife and mother and a Senior Brand Manager at Michelin North America, headquartered in Greenville.

The membership is making an impact on weighty issues, she says. “We're putting our gloves on and getting into the communities.”

The organization's mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

In recent years, the Junior League of Greenville has concentrated on local initiatives that help women overcome barriers – focusing on human trafficking and economic mobility.

“Those are not easy subjects,” Brand acknowledges. But studies show that the I-85 corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte is one of the busiest human trafficking highways in the country, she says.

“We have a lovely community. I'm proud to live in Greenville,” says Brand, a native of Ohio. “But it's a problem. If we can shine a light on that and partner with organizations that offer services to human trafficking survivors, that is making a difference.”

The Junior League provides volunteers and financial support to Jasmine Road, which offers long-term housing, healing and employment to women survivors of sex trafficking, prostitution and addiction; Switch, which is named for a Bible verse and has adopted a mission to end sex trafficking and sexual exploitation in the Upstate; and Julie Valentine Center, which delivers free, confidential services to sexual assault and child abuse survivors and their families.

As for the issue of economic mobility, studies show that it's difficult for women in Greenville County to better themselves and move up the economic ladder, Brand says.

“Because we are a women-based organization, a women-led organization, it's important for us to remove those barriers for women in our communities.”

That mission aligns with the goals of United Ministries, one of the league’s community partners that helps people improve their lives through housing, adult education, one-on-one coaching, and emergency assistance.

Founded by the Junior League of Greenville in 1975, Pendleton Place remains a partner and has become a resource for children and families experiencing foster care, homelessness, poverty and trauma.

Family Effect works to fight addiction and its harm to families and children.

“Family Effect works with women and their children to move beyond challenging circumstances so that they can have a better life,” Brand says.

“All of these organizations are doing excellent work, and we want to support that work and their expertise in serving their clients.”

The Junior League will also partner with the Diaper Bank at Prisma Health Children’s Hospital–Upstate, which helps families in need who have children ages 4 and younger.

“We never want women to have to choose, ‘Do I buy diapers? Do I pay a bill?’ Diapers are expensive. Supporting the Diaper Bank is removing one of the barriers to economic mobility. It seems like a small thing, but it can be a burden,” Brand says.

This year, Brand is proud that the Junior League of Greenville awarded $177,500 in grants to three partners: Jasmine Road, Pendleton Place and United Ministries.

Since its founding in 1929, the local organization has contributed more than $2.8 million to more than 300 agencies.

The organization’s strategic plan states that 20% of all fundraising will go to community partners, Brand says.

Most of that revenue comes from the Nearly New Shop, a thrift store operated by the Junior League at 118 Greenacre Road, near the intersection of Pleasantburg Drive and Laurens Road.

The shop, which is celebrating its 75th year, accepts donations of new or gently used clothing, jewelry, shoes, linens, children’s toys, seasonal items, luggage, books, housewares, furniture and small appliances. “We want things that we can sell to the community and raise money to support our training for members and to support our partner organizations,” Brand says.

Items for resale can be dropped off from 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Pickup is available for large items.

The staff at the Nearly New Shop gets help from the new class of Junior League members.

Members volunteer with partner organizations, form friendships, develop leadership skills and learn about their community.

“We are not a political organization. But we do think it's important that our members know how to advocate for causes that are important to them. How do you attend a city council meeting if there is an item on the agenda that you care about? How do you have your voice heard?” Brand explains.

“We’ve had elected officials appear on panels so that members can meet the people representing them, ask questions, and be more involved as community members.”

Member training opportunities cover everything from self-defense to resume writing and advocating for oneself in the workplace.

“One of the things that I love about the Junior League of Greenville is that it allows me and members to experience things that we might not get to do in our everyday lives,” Brand says. “I've been super honored to work with some incredible women. I'm humbled and honored to have been asked to be president. It's amazing.”

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Leading The League - Junior League Greenville