About the Junior League of Odessa, Inc.

The Junior League of Odessa was organized in June 1948 as the Junior Service League of Odessa by a group of energetic young women who wanted to create an organized service league in Odessa. It was formed by 15 charter members who focused on the social needs of the community. Early volunteer efforts were concentrated on welfare agencies and producing the Follies. In 1951, the Junior League of Odessa started its first project, the Odessa Day Nursery, which was opened for children of working mothers.

On February 10, 1977, the Junior League of Odessa, Inc., was accepted as the 232nd Junior League in the Association of Junior Leagues International.

Early fundraisers for the JLO included a style shows, Follies and a thrift shop. In the fall of 1973, the Blue Denim Gourmet cookbook was published. In 1983, the first Merry Marketplace was held, and in 1990, the JLO’s second cookbook Wild Wild West was published.

The Junior League of Odessa, Inc. celebrated its 60th Anniversary in 2008. It is still selling the Blue Denim Gourmet cookbook and is celebrating its 27th Merry Marketplace this year.