Evolving from the early years of their white-gloved predecessors, the contemporary members of the Junior League of Lancaster are hands-on, results-driven community activists whose missions have launched and supported dozens of projects.
The Fulton Theatre was the scene of the Junior League of Lancaster’s 100th anniversary celebration.
The list of accomplishments is long, the community impacts are vast and the energy of the 100-year-old Junior League of Lancaster (JLL) is indefatigable. The organization’s centennial was recently celebrated at the Fulton Theatre’s James Hagelgans + Gale Zorian Lobby that welcomed current and sustaining members to a reception of hors d’oeuvres, dancing and renewing scores of friendships.
Founded in 1923 by 55 Lancaster ladies – 22 years after the Junior League of New York City was established – the Junior League of Lancaster has consistently focused its volunteer efforts on identifying needs within our community and effecting change. In the process of community improvement, its members also benefit from the organization’s mission of providing a safe space for women to learn, grow and serve together. “I learned many of my leadership skills at Junior League,” says sustaining member, Nancy Randall, referring to such skills as running a meeting, time and project management and effective organization.
What a difference 100 years makes! An archival photo of the Wheatland Foundation Commmittee in 1936, and today’s members, Christine Johnson, Elizabeth Reidenbach, Hannah Funk (2023/24 president), Teresa Marino.
Women who are new to the area can find a welcome and shared sense of purpose. “I loved how Junior League was involved in so many goodwill projects in Lancaster, like Hands-on House,” notes sustaining member, Pam McDonald, who moved to Lancaster in 1992. “It allowed me to tap into women who have great work experience, life experience, and utilize their talents.”
Sarah Ganse, JLL’s 2017/18 president, agrees: “I returned to Lancaster County from Ohio, adding to my young family and looking for ways to get involved in the community. Junior League gave me a lens to see projects and meetings. Junior League gets things done. You surround yourself with that and absorb.”
Past presidents Sarah Ganse, Bunnie Buckwalter, Kate Lowry
“We know how to get things done” is a universal statement from both current and sustaining members. Anne Louise DeBord, a second generation JLL member and current chair of the Sustaining Advisory Board, considers her fellow members as “such an amazing group of women – hard-working, smart and dedicated. I think they are the movers and shakers of our community.”
Debbie Chen-Sloan, Stacie Reidenbaugh (past president), Carrie McCullough, Karen Chesters
In 1934, they were indeed movers and shakers in that the Junior League was the force that initiated the purchase and restoration of Wheatland, the Lancaster home of President James Buchanan. Since then, JLL has partnered with Students Against Violence Everywhere (1996); New Directions Employment and Counseling Center (1987); Habitat for Humanity Women Build (2004) and Deb’s House Crisis Nursery (1998). In addition, JLL contributed to the restoration of the historic Demuth House (1981), saved Historic Rock Ford from demolition (1950s) and established the Hands-on House, Children’s Museum (1987). More recently, the organization’s focus has been on assisting children who are aging out of the foster care system, promoting business- and STEM-focused opportunities to girls and, for the past three years, partnering with local organizations to address the estimated 50,000 Lancaster County residents who are forced to deal with food insecurity and nutrition accessibility.
Aly Curtis, Susan Ketchum, Pam Hoffmaster (past president)
When 21-year-old Jackie Brennan moved to Lancaster from Montreal in the 1960s, she recalls the Junior League having been a “big plus to meet like-minded women.” At that time, one had to be invited to join; now, one applies for membership. And sustaining members who once were “retired” from service may now continue to support the organization’s volunteer efforts. Bunnie Buckwalter, who served as the League’s president in 1988/89, was one of the “founding mothers” of the Hands-on House, which she considers “a wonderful gift to the community,” and humorously describes the project as “my fifth child.”
Laura McGarry (2024/25 president), Susan Bowser (past president), Teresa Marino, Hannah Funk (2023/24 president), Melissa Esterly (president-elect)
Mingling among sumptuous hors d’oeuvres served by Cracked Pepper Catering, past and present members caught up on each other’s lives, as current League president, Hannah Funk, called the group to order, recognizing the 25 past presidents in attendance and saluting the League’s lasting mark on Lancaster, through “training thousands of volunteers to serve not only the League, but many other impactful organizations in the area.” The Mama Tried Band signaled it was time to rock the dance floor and, on a broader perspective, a member commented, “Our slogan says it all: ‘One woman can make a difference, but together we can rock the world.’”
Junior League of Lancaster welcomes all women 21 years and older. Email info@jllancaster.org or visit jllancaster.org for more information.
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