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INTERNATIONAL
ORGANIZATION CELEBRATES THE POWER OF WOMEN VOLUNTEERS IN SALT LAKE CITY MAY 3-6
84th
Annual Association of Junior Leagues International Conference Provides Forum for Women Leaders from Four Countries
Salt Lake City, UT – April
12, 2006 – The power of women’s volunteer leadership and its
ability to transform local communities will be the focus of the 84th Annual
Association of Junior Leagues International Inc. (AJLI) Conference held at the
Grand America Hotel from May
3-6, 2006. More than 700 delegates from Junior Leagues in four
countries will gather to share ideas, recognize accomplishments and develop
their leadership skills in providing significant support for community programs
and partnerships.
“For more than one hundred
years the Junior League has been a powerful training ground for women leaders
who are committed to making their communities better, safer and healthier
places to live,” Pam J. Newby, 2004-2006 AJLI President, said. “Providing
training and recognizing members’ accomplishments at our Annual Conference lets
us further build the integral role women play in strengthening social services,
raising awareness of key issues and funding important community initiatives.”
Highlights of this year’s
conference include keynote addresses by Olympic Gold and Silver Medalist Picabo
Street and Geralyn White Dreyfous, executive producer of the Academy
Award-winning documentary, Born into
Brothels, who is executive and creative director of the Salt Lake City Film
Center. AJLI will present an estimated
$90,000 in awards to Junior Leagues in recognition for programs focusing on
collaboration, volunteer training and community impact. Award sponsors include
the Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc., Tab Energy, Favorite Recipes Press (FRP)
and Talbots. Other highlights of the conference are workshops on topics ranging
from growing leaders through service, to being a civic leader, to strategic
fund development, as well as exhibits from numerous nonprofit organizations.
One of the most prestigious
awards, The Mary Harriman Community Leadership Award, which is named after the
founder of the Junior League Movement, recognizes one Junior League member
whose ability to motivate volunteers, overcome challenges and create positive
change as an inspiration to women everywhere. Past recipients have included the
Honorable Sandra Day O’Connor, U.S. Supreme Court Justice; Martha Rivers
Ingram, chairman of Ingram Industries, Inc.; and former Missouri State Senator Betty
Sims. This year’s award will be presented at a luncheon on Friday, May 4,
underwritten by Talbots.
“We are very pleased to host
this conference on the brink of celebrating our anniversary of 75 years of
service to our community. The Junior League of Salt Lake City provides
approximately 25,000 volunteer hours and over $200,000 locally each year,”
Pearl Wright, President of the JL of Salt Lake City, said.
“Women’s voluntarism is a
tremendous force in improving communities throughout our four countries, “said
President Newby. “The Junior League has more than 170,000 women who spend time
every day working to improve the lives of children and families by fostering
community partnerships and developing programs that address community needs.”
The 84th Annual Association of Junior
Leagues International Conference provides
a time to spotlight the widespread impact of the network of 293 Junior Leagues’
volunteer efforts. One current example is a League-wide initiative, Junior Leagues’ Kids in the Kitchen, which addresses the growing issues surrounding childhood obesity and poor
nutrition. Over 225 Junior Leagues conducted local events during Volunteer
Week, April 23-29, to educate children and their families on ways to live
healthy lives. The Junior Leagues also launched a website, http://kidsinthekitchen.ajli.org
that features a virtual recipe collection, quizzes and other resources for
children and parents.
Founded
in 1901 by New Yorker Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are organizations of
women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and
improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained
volunteers. The Association of Junior Leagues International is made up of 293
Junior Leagues in four countries. Together, we are one of the largest
international volunteer organizations for women interested in making a positive
impact in their communities. For more information, visit our website
www.ajli.org.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
To attend one of
the keynote speaker sessions or the Mary Harriman Community Leadership
Luncheon, contact: Pearl Wright, 801-870-1505,
wflpaw@comcast.net
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