Junior League History
__________________________________________________________________________________
On May 13, 1933, a group of 13 young women met at the home of Mrs. Morgan McNeel, Jr. for the purpose
of discussing the organizing of a service league to do charity work in the city of Marietta. The realization of
the need in our community for aid to the under privileged children was acute, and therefore the Junior
Welfare League of Marietta, Georgia was organized. These ladies recruited 14 additional members and
held their first meeting on June 13, 1933 at the Marietta Country Club. A street dance and carnival netted
$200.00. At the time, the Marietta population was about 7,500 and Cobb only $34,000. Members knew
who needed help and gave it without the paperwork that accompanies welfare work today.
establishing the Marietta Place branch library, the Fort Hill branch library, a well-baby clinic, a dental clinic,
the Creswell School, the Ding-Dong and Lyman Nurseries and buying war bonds. The inauguration of
Christmas music in the city park, later adopted as a custom by City Management.
With the 1950’s came a growth of other organizations and the league joining forces with Community
Chest. The focus then turned toward service at Juvenille Hall and on puppert shows in the elementary
schools. A Prenatal Clinic started in cooperation with Kennestone Hospital. A Speech Correction Program
established in the Public Schools, resulting in the opening of Creswell School to provide special education
to children in need.
The 1960’s began with research on the Youth Museum and The Pediatric Recreational Therapy and
Tutorial Service Program. A reading readiness program was introduced at Creswell School. A directory of
preschool facilities published and distributed and The League also formed the Women’s Guild to the
Marietta Community Symphony.
During the 1970’s, the league was accepted into the national association of Junior Leagues. Transfers
from other parts of the United States and working women added to the changing character of the league.
Financial commitment of the Youth Museum which opened in 1970 with a total contribution of $87,190.00
necessitated a permanent fundraiser, the Bargain Shop, on Roswell Street. A remedial reading program
was started in the Marietta City Schools and The Georgia Room was dedicated at the Marietta Public
Library.
The League began the 1980’s with the formation of “Stepping Stone”, a 24-hour short-term emergency
shelter for abused and/or neglected children to which they committed $30,000.00. This was undertaken in
coalition with other individuals and agencies in Cobb. By 1983, the initial membership had grown from 13
to 240 active members and 213 sustaining members. The Junior League established the 1st Cobb Parent’
s Anonymous Chapter, & the Cobb County Child Advocacy Coalition Adoption of the Drug Abuse Task Force
proposal. The first JL Child Abuse Center, The Open Gate. The JL cookbook, Georgia on my Menu…A
Medley of Southern Hits published. Brochures for a Historic Marietta Walking Tour published and Mini-
grants for community teachers established. Community placements at that time included the American
Health Care Center, Youth Museum, YWCA Resource Center Program for Battered Women, Kennestone
Regional Hospice, Kennestone Regional Health Care System, Tommy Nobis Center and the YWCA Rape
crisis center.
In the 1990’s, the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta formed a Child Care Committee to work toward Cobb
subsidizing child care initiatives. Groundbraking for Sheltering Arms. The Mistletoe Market was
established as a league fundraiser. The League developed the children’s wing, Kid’s Place, at the
Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art. A Parenting Resource Guide published and distributed. A significant
contribution made to the YWCA of Cobb County’s Battered Women’s Shelter. A new cookbook,
Southern…On Occasion was introduced and the Jack Vaughan, Jr. Human Service Awards established.
The 2000’s brought The Cobb Parenting Handbook updated and parenting education classes were offered
at the Young Family Resource Center. The JL conducted research for Parent call center questions for
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. JLCM began a 3 year partnership with WellStar called the Year of the
Parent to provide parenting resources to our community. In 2005, the league gave $50,000.00 to the
Center for Family Resources to aid in opening a large facility to house other non-profits and provide
assistance to those they serve. The Mistletoe Market moved to the Cobb Galleria Center to accommodate
added growth. The Follies was brought back in March 2008 to celebrate 75 years of service provided by the
Junior League of Cobb-Marietta.
__________________________________________________________________________________
On May 13, 1933, a group of 13 young women met at the home of Mrs. Morgan McNeel, Jr. for the purpose
of discussing the organizing of a service league to do charity work in the city of Marietta. The realization of
the need in our community for aid to the under privileged children was acute, and therefore the Junior
Welfare League of Marietta, Georgia was organized. These ladies recruited 14 additional members and
held their first meeting on June 13, 1933 at the Marietta Country Club. A street dance and carnival netted
$200.00. At the time, the Marietta population was about 7,500 and Cobb only $34,000. Members knew
who needed help and gave it without the paperwork that accompanies welfare work today.
establishing the Marietta Place branch library, the Fort Hill branch library, a well-baby clinic, a dental clinic,
the Creswell School, the Ding-Dong and Lyman Nurseries and buying war bonds. The inauguration of
Christmas music in the city park, later adopted as a custom by City Management.
With the 1950’s came a growth of other organizations and the league joining forces with Community
Chest. The focus then turned toward service at Juvenille Hall and on puppert shows in the elementary
schools. A Prenatal Clinic started in cooperation with Kennestone Hospital. A Speech Correction Program
established in the Public Schools, resulting in the opening of Creswell School to provide special education
to children in need.
The 1960’s began with research on the Youth Museum and The Pediatric Recreational Therapy and
Tutorial Service Program. A reading readiness program was introduced at Creswell School. A directory of
preschool facilities published and distributed and The League also formed the Women’s Guild to the
Marietta Community Symphony.
During the 1970’s, the league was accepted into the national association of Junior Leagues. Transfers
from other parts of the United States and working women added to the changing character of the league.
Financial commitment of the Youth Museum which opened in 1970 with a total contribution of $87,190.00
necessitated a permanent fundraiser, the Bargain Shop, on Roswell Street. A remedial reading program
was started in the Marietta City Schools and The Georgia Room was dedicated at the Marietta Public
Library.
The League began the 1980’s with the formation of “Stepping Stone”, a 24-hour short-term emergency
shelter for abused and/or neglected children to which they committed $30,000.00. This was undertaken in
coalition with other individuals and agencies in Cobb. By 1983, the initial membership had grown from 13
to 240 active members and 213 sustaining members. The Junior League established the 1st Cobb Parent’
s Anonymous Chapter, & the Cobb County Child Advocacy Coalition Adoption of the Drug Abuse Task Force
proposal. The first JL Child Abuse Center, The Open Gate. The JL cookbook, Georgia on my Menu…A
Medley of Southern Hits published. Brochures for a Historic Marietta Walking Tour published and Mini-
grants for community teachers established. Community placements at that time included the American
Health Care Center, Youth Museum, YWCA Resource Center Program for Battered Women, Kennestone
Regional Hospice, Kennestone Regional Health Care System, Tommy Nobis Center and the YWCA Rape
crisis center.
In the 1990’s, the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta formed a Child Care Committee to work toward Cobb
subsidizing child care initiatives. Groundbraking for Sheltering Arms. The Mistletoe Market was
established as a league fundraiser. The League developed the children’s wing, Kid’s Place, at the
Marietta/Cobb Museum of Art. A Parenting Resource Guide published and distributed. A significant
contribution made to the YWCA of Cobb County’s Battered Women’s Shelter. A new cookbook,
Southern…On Occasion was introduced and the Jack Vaughan, Jr. Human Service Awards established.
The 2000’s brought The Cobb Parenting Handbook updated and parenting education classes were offered
at the Young Family Resource Center. The JL conducted research for Parent call center questions for
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. JLCM began a 3 year partnership with WellStar called the Year of the
Parent to provide parenting resources to our community. In 2005, the league gave $50,000.00 to the
Center for Family Resources to aid in opening a large facility to house other non-profits and provide
assistance to those they serve. The Mistletoe Market moved to the Cobb Galleria Center to accommodate
added growth. The Follies was brought back in March 2008 to celebrate 75 years of service provided by the
Junior League of Cobb-Marietta.
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The Junior League of Cobb-Marietta, Inc. was founded in 1933 as the Junior
Welfare League. We are very pleased to be celebrating our 74th anniversary
during the 2007-2008 League year. Today, it is part of the Association of
Junior Leagues International, Inc. Our diverse membership is made up of
over 500 women.
Over the years, we have been instrumental in identifying and meeting
community needs through volunteer opportunities and financial
contrubutions. The Cobb Parenting Initiative, Open Gate, Sheltering Arms
and the Cobb County Youth Museum are some of the many projects the
JLCM, Inc. is proud to have initiated.
Welfare League. We are very pleased to be celebrating our 74th anniversary
during the 2007-2008 League year. Today, it is part of the Association of
Junior Leagues International, Inc. Our diverse membership is made up of
over 500 women.
Over the years, we have been instrumental in identifying and meeting
community needs through volunteer opportunities and financial
contrubutions. The Cobb Parenting Initiative, Open Gate, Sheltering Arms
and the Cobb County Youth Museum are some of the many projects the
JLCM, Inc. is proud to have initiated.