The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

"Never Doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."-Margaret Mead.

The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. was founded in 1924 by 11 "thoughtful and committed" women who were passionate about improving our community. These women, and the ones who have followed, have created a strong and valuable organization that has impacted San Antonio and "changed our world" for the better. For 85 years, League members have assessed the greatest needs in our community and created innovative programs and projects to meet those needs. The first project for the organization was a children's free clinic. The clinic was so successful that in the next few years the League expanded the clinic to include a dental clinic, a well baby day clinic, an eye clinic and a heart and lung clinic.

Since 1924, the League has provided a value of more than $25 million dollars to build a better community. As we celebrate our 85th anniversary we pay tribute to all of our members past and present and celebrate the projects and programs of the League including:

• Creation of the Non-Profit Resource Center, the Cerebral Palsy Treatment Center, Auxiliary for Santa Rosa Children's Hospital, Walking for Women's Health awareness campaign and walking program, Brackenridge Park walking path.
• Volunteer support and partnership with the Metropolitan Regional Opera auditions which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
• The docent programs for the San Antonio Zoo and McNay Art Museum; seed money and volunteer resources for Sunshine Cottage School for Deaf Children; Fit Kids program, and many more.

The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. has been successful due in part to its willingness to "change with the times." With a strong foundation built by the women who have come before us, it is time to look ahead and plan for the next 85 years. We will look to the future and focus on training women to be community leaders and promote voluntarism. The training will provide members with the tools needed to lead and manage volunteer programs to meet the future needs of San Antonio, whatever they may be. With over 1,200 members and the power of The Association of Junior Leagues International (our parent association of 293 Leagues in four countries), we look forward to continuing to build a better San Antonio.

Our first endeavor for the future is LITERACY San Antonio. A startling 25 percent of the San Antonio population is functionally illiterate, double the national average. With hundreds of staggering Literacy statistics, JLSA has created a program to eradicate illiteracy in our community.

Our specific plans include:

1. Developing a sophisticated Internet clearinghouse that will connect San Antonio's existing literacy organizations to people who need services as well as people who want to help.
2. Creating a citywide, multi-media, bilingual awareness campaign to unite and focus the community on the literacy issue; and offering a hotline with grassroots "triage" capability to match people needing literacy services to those best able to help them. For more information go to: www.literacysanantonio.com

Thank you for your interest in the Junior League of San Antonio, Inc. We invite you to help us to build a better community for the people of San Antonio. Please join us in our new endeavor to eradicate illiteracy! You can contact us at www.jlsa.org, or by telephone at 210.225.1861.

Laura Talley

2008-2009 President, The Junior League of San Antonio, Inc.