Did You Know? The Story of the Junior League of Philadelphia’s Headquarters
1. A Historic Beginning
In 1924, the Junior League of Philadelphia (JLP) set out to preserve history by becoming the guardian of Sweetbriar Mansion in Fairmount Park. By 1928, the League had raised the necessary funds to restore and establish the mansion as its headquarters, marking the beginning of its legacy in historic preservation.
In 1924, the Junior League of Philadelphia (JLP) set out to preserve history by becoming the guardian of Sweetbriar Mansion in Fairmount Park. By 1928, the League had raised the necessary funds to restore and establish the mansion as its headquarters, marking the beginning of its legacy in historic preservation.
2. The Birth of a Legacy
While Sweetbriar served as the League’s home, JLP’s impact extended far beyond its walls. In 1945, members launched the Children’s Outgrown Shop, a small resale initiative that would later grow into the JLP Thrift Shop—now the organization’s largest asset and primary fundraiser.
While Sweetbriar served as the League’s home, JLP’s impact extended far beyond its walls. In 1945, members launched the Children’s Outgrown Shop, a small resale initiative that would later grow into the JLP Thrift Shop—now the organization’s largest asset and primary fundraiser.
3. A Move Toward Growth
As JLP expanded its mission and membership, it became clear that Sweetbriar, while historic, no longer met the organization’s evolving needs. In 1937, the League moved to the Warwick Hotel in Rittenhouse Square, then to the Free Quaker Meeting House in 1965 near Independence Hall, and finally in 1998, the League moved its headquarters to Ardmore, Pennsylvania, to create a more accessible and functional space for its members.
As JLP expanded its mission and membership, it became clear that Sweetbriar, while historic, no longer met the organization’s evolving needs. In 1937, the League moved to the Warwick Hotel in Rittenhouse Square, then to the Free Quaker Meeting House in 1965 near Independence Hall, and finally in 1998, the League moved its headquarters to Ardmore, Pennsylvania, to create a more accessible and functional space for its members.
4. A Major Investment in the Future
In 2014, JLP launched a $1.4 million Centennial Campaign for Building Community. This initiative, funded primarily by members, led to a complete renovation of the Ardmore headquarters, ensuring it could serve as a modern hub for collaboration, leadership, and community engagement.
In 2014, JLP launched a $1.4 million Centennial Campaign for Building Community. This initiative, funded primarily by members, led to a complete renovation of the Ardmore headquarters, ensuring it could serve as a modern hub for collaboration, leadership, and community engagement.
5. A Space Designed for Impact
Today, the headquarters at 27 Lancaster Avenue is more than just a Thrift Shop and office—it is a central gathering place where members come together for training sessions, committee meetings, and planning initiatives that drive JLP’s mission forward.
Today, the headquarters at 27 Lancaster Avenue is more than just a Thrift Shop and office—it is a central gathering place where members come together for training sessions, committee meetings, and planning initiatives that drive JLP’s mission forward.
6. Empowering Members
The headquarters offers dedicated workspaces, a members’ lounge, and access to organizational archives, providing resources that support both leadership development and meaningful volunteer efforts.
The headquarters offers dedicated workspaces, a members’ lounge, and access to organizational archives, providing resources that support both leadership development and meaningful volunteer efforts.
7. Strengthening Community Connections
Located in the heart of Ardmore, the JLP headquarters serves as a bridge between the organization and the greater Philadelphia area, fostering partnerships and ensuring the League’s continued impact for years to come.
Located in the heart of Ardmore, the JLP headquarters serves as a bridge between the organization and the greater Philadelphia area, fostering partnerships and ensuring the League’s continued impact for years to come.
Celebrating the Success of Our Fundraising Campaign: A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters
We raised an impressive $37,500 from 135 donors as of April 18. We are incredibly grateful for their support and generosity; every single donation, no matter the amount, has made a difference.
Donor Highlights
Number of New Member Donors: We were especially pleased to see more than 10 New Members donating, which is a new record!
Small but Mighty: Some of our most impactful donations came from everyday heroes—people who gave anywhere from $5 to $35—showing that every contribution counts in making a real difference.
Returning Supporters: A special thank you to those who have supported us before and chose to do so again this year. Your ongoing commitment means the world. Special shout-outs to Susan Asplundh, Aronte Bennett, Elizabeth Farr, Kate Hall, Mary Peller, Jane Sagendorf, Tracey Specter, Deborah Marsteller, Julia DeMoss, and Helen Weary!
Press Release: The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. Celebrates League Year Highs in Preparation for New Recruitment Season
Members Celebrated 18 Volunteer Events, 39,000 Pounds of Food Packed, 16,000 Hours of Student Programming, and Much More!
Philadelphia, PA– On May 20, 2025, Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) members gathered at The Bellevue Hotel for their yearly May Celebration. The event commemorated what the JLP has achieved this past year for Greater Philadelphia communities, recognized outstanding JLP members, and announced the new board of directors.
Photo Credit: BeauMonde Originals
The JLP is committed to addressing the many aspects of health and wellness in underserved communities in the Greater Philadelphia area. State of the League updates were given at the event by the Chief Operating Officer, Erin Nanovic, where she stated that in the 2024-2025 League year, the JLP:
Hosted 18 Done in Day volunteer events with a total of 280 volunteered hours
Packed over 39,000 pounds of food with their Food to Families program
Impacted 1,635 kids with over 16,000 hours of student programming with their Kids in the Kitchen program
Raised over $39,000 for their annual fund and over $880,000 in sales from the JLP Thrift Shop
Also at the event, JLP member Jennifer Adams was presented with the President’s Cup Award, given to a woman whose work behind the scenes often goes unnoticed but is essential to JLP operations.
Photo Credit: BeauMonde Originals
At the end of the May Celebration, the JLP welcomed in the new 2025-2026 League Year President, Pam Phojanakong, who said a few words:
“Across five years of Board, Management Council, meetings big and small, I’ve learned from past and current JLP leaders, active and sustainer members, staff, and community partners, what we do well. One message stands out. What makes JLP special is our membership. Cultivating such a diverse, dedicated, and passionate group and the opportunities to work with and learn from each other is our league’s enduring contribution to the Philadelphia community,” said Pam Phojanakong, JLP President-Elect.
As this league year ends and a new one begins, the JLP is focused on its recruitment efforts and is excited to open recruitment to new members starting June 1.
The JLP will be hosting recruitment events throughout the summer, where prospective members will hear from current members about JLP’s mission, key community service initiatives, and “why” they joined. The JLP is looking for prospective members who are committed to carrying out its mission of advancing women’s empowerment within the community through volunteerism, collaboration, and training. Upcoming recruitment events in June include:
June 10, 2025 – 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at City Tap House – 100 N 18th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
June 17, 2025 – 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Virtual
June 26, 2025 – 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Workhorse Brewing Company – 250 King Manor Dr Suite 300, King of Prussia, PA 19406
Anyone interested in becoming a member should complete this form. While attendance at an interest session is encouraged, it is not required in order to apply.
For more information about the Junior League of Philadelphia, please visit their website. Stay up to date with the organization’s events and news by following their Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter). For media inquiries and/or interview requests, please contact For media inquiries and/or interview requests, please contact Lina@PhillyPRGirl.com.
About The Junior League of Philadelphia
The Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The JLP welcomes all women who value its mission. They are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations, and communities. Since 1912, The JLP has been committed to addressing the many aspects of health and wellness in underserved communities in the Greater Philadelphia area, whether it’s creating community gardens or providing nutritious meals to families in need. With over 700 trained volunteers who contribute thousands of hours of service annually, the organization empowers women volunteers to make meaningful change happen within the communities it proudly serves.
Spring Soirée 2025 in CBS News Philadelphia
The Junior League of Philadelphia Spring Soirée 2025
Spotlighting JLP’s Entrepreneurship and Small Business Affinity Group
Background on ESBAG and Its Creation
ESBAG aims to support entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) by creating a community where members can share information and resources and find support from other people tackling similar business challenges.
JLP members Jane Nevins, Kimberley Jackson, and Emily Brown founded the ESBAG during the 2024–2025 League year. Nevins, a marketing consultant who was a new small business owner in the summer of 2024, felt isolated because most of her friends and larger network worked for big companies. One night, Nevins met with fellow League member Kimberley Jackson, a therapist, and they discussed the realities of being self-employed and running small businesses. Following that conversation, Nevins and Jackson reached out to Emily Brown, who runs a digital agency for small business, to discuss launching an affinity group within the League to connect members with similar experiences.
ESBAG Meetings
ESBAG holds monthly coffee meetings, which are held on the last Thursday of the month at Tela’s Market in Fairmount at 9:00 a.m. According to Nevins, “some folks are just thinking about a business, others have a side-hustle, and some are inheriting family businesses, so there are business owners at a range of stages.” The meetings begin with introductions, and then everyone has a chance to share a challenge they are experiencing with the group and receive feedback and ideas from the other attendees. In addition, ESBAG has an online repository of information and resources on Google Drive where members have shared training, government resources for small business owners, information on social media tools, and more.
ESBAG holds monthly coffee meetings, which are held on the last Thursday of the month at Tela’s Market in Fairmount at 9:00 a.m. According to Nevins, “some folks are just thinking about a business, others have a side-hustle, and some are inheriting family businesses, so there are business owners at a range of stages.” The meetings begin with introductions, and then everyone has a chance to share a challenge they are experiencing with the group and receive feedback and ideas from the other attendees. In addition, ESBAG has an online repository of information and resources on Google Drive where members have shared training, government resources for small business owners, information on social media tools, and more.
ESBAG members also co-work at Headquarters in Ardmore every other Friday and eat lunch together. Nevins states, “Folks who are working from home, job searching, students, or just want dedicated time to focus on a project would get value from joining, too!”
JLP Members’ Favorite Aspects of ESBAG and the Group’s Impact on Their Small Businesses and Careers
As a new entrepreneur in her first year of business, ESBAG has been essential to Nevins’s success and provided a source of professional support and mentoring. Through ESBAG, Nevins learned crucial information for business, such as information about city taxes for businesses and business bank accounts and found a website developer (Small Business Startup Solutions). Nevins also noted that it has been exciting to be a part of each member’s journey and to celebrate their successes, as she has seen other members quit their day jobs, change their pricing models, publish books, start companies, and launch blogs over the past several months.
As a new entrepreneur in her first year of business, ESBAG has been essential to Nevins’s success and provided a source of professional support and mentoring. Through ESBAG, Nevins learned crucial information for business, such as information about city taxes for businesses and business bank accounts and found a website developer (Small Business Startup Solutions). Nevins also noted that it has been exciting to be a part of each member’s journey and to celebrate their successes, as she has seen other members quit their day jobs, change their pricing models, publish books, start companies, and launch blogs over the past several months.
Brown enjoys the group’s monthly meetings and “tackling the hardest challenges of our businesses together.” Brown noted she always leaves feeling motivated and appreciates the group’s help navigating her decisions for her business. Brown also enjoys being able to lift up other women-owned businesses.
Jackson’s favorite aspect of ESBAG “has been connecting with other women in business and having open conversations about both our challenges and successes.” Jackson notes, “being an entrepreneur can sometimes feel isolating, but this group has been a great morale booster. It has not only provided me with valuable resources and strategies but also given me the support and encouragement I need. I look forward to our meetings each month.”
How ESBAG Has Enhanced JLP Members’ League Experiences
ESBAG has made Nevins’s membership in the League “feel more meaningful and rewarding” introducing her new members, actives, and sustainers she would not have connected with otherwise. Nevins adds, “We’ve created a real community where I think people feel like they can be vulnerable and authentic. Entrepreneurship can be lonely and it’s easy for self-doubt to creep in. So, I feel very grateful to be part of this community within the Junior League.”
ESBAG has made Nevins’s membership in the League “feel more meaningful and rewarding” introducing her new members, actives, and sustainers she would not have connected with otherwise. Nevins adds, “We’ve created a real community where I think people feel like they can be vulnerable and authentic. Entrepreneurship can be lonely and it’s easy for self-doubt to creep in. So, I feel very grateful to be part of this community within the Junior League.”
Brown feels similarly, stating ESBAG enhanced her JLP experience by introducing her to incredible women she had never met before, even though she has been a League member for ten years. Brown stated, “As a solo entrepreneur, I don’t have coworkers or a boss, but these women hold me accountable and push me to be my best for myself and the community I serve.”
Jackson, a first year active member, emphasized the “pivotal role” ESBAG has played in defining her JLP experience, providing her with an opportunity to build relationships with others, developing a sense of belonging, and feeling more integrated into the community.
Starting a JLP Affinity Group
Nevins recommends starting (or joining) an affinity group to enhance the JLP experience. Nevins’s advice “is to find at least two other people and just put it out there on [JLP’s] Facebook [page] and invite folks to join!”
Nevins recommends starting (or joining) an affinity group to enhance the JLP experience. Nevins’s advice “is to find at least two other people and just put it out there on [JLP’s] Facebook [page] and invite folks to join!”
“Join Savoy, Meet a Boy”: A Theatrical Tradition with JLP Roots
Did you know that one of Philadelphia’s oldest and most beloved theatre traditions has deep ties to the Junior League of Philadelphia?
Since the 1950s, many JLP Members have taken their talents beyond community service and into the spotlight—joining The Savoy Company, the nation’s oldest amateur theater company dedicated to performing the comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan. For decades, it wasn’t uncommon to see Active Members performing on stage or working behind the scenes, with several finding more than just artistic expression—many met their future spouses there, giving rise to the playful phrase coined by League Members: “Join Savoy, meet a boy!”
Fast forward to today, and the legacy continues.
This year’s production of The Mikado features five outstanding JLP Members:
• Shelly McMackin – Past Active President, Sustainer
• Bertina Whytehead – Sustainer
• Elizabeth “Betsy” Nelsen – Active Member
• Misty Palmer – Active Member
• Carolyn Hoehle – Active Member and New Member Advisor, who will also take on a lead role in the production
Their involvement is a beautiful reminder of the ways League Members continue to enrich the cultural fabric of Philadelphia—not just through service, but also through the arts.
You can catch this year’s performances of The Mikado at two iconic venues where The Savoy Company serves as a resident theatre company:
• May 9 and 10 – The Suzanne Roberts Theatre
• May 30 and 31 – Longwood Gardens
• May 9 and 10 – The Suzanne Roberts Theatre
• May 30 and 31 – Longwood Gardens
Whether you’re there for the music, the costumes, the witty librettos, or to cheer on your fellow League Members, it’s sure to be a show to remember.
Break a leg, ladies!
Member Spotlight: Afia Lewis
In February 2024, Junior League of Philadelphia member Afia Lewis was featured in the Hall of Fame Spotlight at her alma mater, Temple University. Afia, a JLP member since 2023, has made remarkable contributions both as an educator and athlete.
One of the most accomplished sprinters in Temple women’s track history, Afia earned 12 Atlantic 10 Conference titles during her time as an Owl, including being named the 2001 A10 Indoor Championship Performer of the Year. Her outstanding achievements on the track included individual titles in the 55, 100, 200, and 400-meter races, as well as multiple relay victories. She was inducted into the Temple Hall of Fame in 2020.
Beyond her athletic success, Afia has become a celebrated educator in Pennsylvania. She teaches sixth grade at Ardmore Avenue Elementary School and has received recognition from Fox 29 as a Top Teacher in 2017 and honored by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2019 for her exceptional work. She was also recently featured in the “Sports Legends of Lansdowne” mural, commemorating her legacy in her hometown.
Afia now also brings her passion for education and community to her role as co-chair of the Junior League’s Kids in the Kitchen committee.
Kids In The Kitchen in the Philadelphia Tribune
As April begins, the city of Philadelphia not only welcomes spring and Jazz Appreciation Month, but also recognized National Volunteer Appreciation Month.
See The Philadelphia Tribune’s profile of the JLP’s Kids in the Kitchen program: https://www.phillytrib.com/lifestyle/kids-in-the-kitchen-fighting-food-insecurity-among-philly-youth/
Behind the Scenes with the EVT Committee: How JLP Events Come to Life
Every engaging workshop, insightful panel, and well-orchestrated virtual or in-person event at the Junior League of Philadelphia, Inc. (JLP) has one thing in common—the EVT Committee. While their work often happens behind the scenes, their impact is front and center in shaping the learning experiences and connections that define our organization.
But what does it really take to bring an event to life? Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how the EVT Committee makes it all happen—from the first spark of an idea to the final follow-up.
Step 1: Brainstorm & Plan
It all starts with a conversation. The EVT Committee meets regularly to discuss trends, member interests, and professional development opportunities. Whether it’s a workshop, panel discussion, or networking event, they brainstorm topics, identify potential speakers, and shape the event’s goals.
It all starts with a conversation. The EVT Committee meets regularly to discuss trends, member interests, and professional development opportunities. Whether it’s a workshop, panel discussion, or networking event, they brainstorm topics, identify potential speakers, and shape the event’s goals.
Step 2: Logistics & Execution
Once the idea is set, it’s all about execution. The committee handles outreach to speakers, schedules venues (or virtual platforms), manages registrations, and ensures every detail is covered. They also coordinate marketing efforts so members know what’s coming up and why they should attend.
Once the idea is set, it’s all about execution. The committee handles outreach to speakers, schedules venues (or virtual platforms), manages registrations, and ensures every detail is covered. They also coordinate marketing efforts so members know what’s coming up and why they should attend.
Step 3: The Event
On the big day, the EVT team is behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly. They manage check-ins, support speakers, troubleshoot last-minute issues, and create a welcoming environment for attendees to engage and connect.
On the big day, the EVT team is behind the scenes making sure everything runs smoothly. They manage check-ins, support speakers, troubleshoot last-minute issues, and create a welcoming environment for attendees to engage and connect.
Step 4: Follow-Up & Impact
Even after the event ends, the work isn’t done. The EVT Committee gathers feedback, tracks attendance and engagement, and looks for ways to improve future events. They also send thank-you notes to speakers and share key takeaways with members who couldn’t attend.
Even after the event ends, the work isn’t done. The EVT Committee gathers feedback, tracks attendance and engagement, and looks for ways to improve future events. They also send thank-you notes to speakers and share key takeaways with members who couldn’t attend.
Every event at JLP is the result of this thoughtful, behind-the-scenes process. Thanks to the EVT Committee’s dedication, our events aren’t just well-organized—they’re meaningful, relevant, and impactful.
Have an idea for an event? The EVT team is always looking for fresh perspectives!