1929A Legacy Begins

Junior Welfare Association of Tuscaloosa founded

Back in 1929, as the country was entering the long years of the Great Depression, Miss Mary Lee Gunter of the local welfare department called for volunteers to help with various welfare projects throughout the county. Four visionary volunteers rose to the challenge: Mrs. Austin Bennett, Mrs. Jim Fitts Jr., Mrs. Robert Harwood, and Mrs. Gordon Palmer met with Mrs. Gunter and talked of their interest in the arts, education, and health. They talked about forming an organization that would support these areas of community concern and that would encourage the interest of other Tuscaloosans. They decided to organize an association that shared the principles of the Junior League in other cities. In that singular inspired moment in time, the forerunner of the Junior League of Tuscaloosa was born.

Called the Junior Welfare Association of Tuscaloosa, this new organization immediately began raising money to support the causes they adopted. It supported a weekly Sick Baby Clinic and sold TB seals to raise funds to fight tuberculosis.

War YearsThe War Years

Throughout the years of World War II, the work of the Junior Welfare Association continued. It provided for the needs of the Preventorium through fundraisers such as charity bridge games, dinners, and dances. In 1939, the women published five hundred volumes of a best-selling cookbook, and their work was just beginning.

Following World War II, women began entering the workforce, integration came to the South, the culture was becoming more diverse, and new needs emerged—both for the members and for the community that they served.

1970's

Becoming JLT

In 1974 a night active group was created, enabling professional women to participate, and in 1979 the Junior Welfare Association became the Junior League of Tuscaloosa, number 231 out of a total of 295 in the now Association of Junior Leagues International. So a long-term goal of the original group was realized.

Community Events

Legacy Grows

With a nearly 100-year legacy in Tuscaloosa, The Junior League of Tuscaloosa is historically known for its service areas as Choral Singers, the Children’s Hands on Museum, the Junior League Art Gallery, Story Hour, RISE, and others, our popular fundraisers tend to be the most visible evidence of their community involvement. The Follies, Camellia Show, Charity Horse Show, Merry Market, Thrift Shop, Winning Seasons Cookbook, Golf and Gala, and now Dragon Boats among many other events, have raised significant funding that ensures the League’s success in serving the community. And of course, the friendships that develop through working long hours together on projects throughout the year have bonded many of the members in life-long friendships.