Junior League of Odessa History

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. 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 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 second cookbook Wild Wild West was published.

Today, the Junior League of Odessa continues to raise money and provide volunteers for community projects. Funds up to $5,000 are made available to other non-profit agencies through Community Assistance Fund Grants each year. Over 6.5 million dollars has been raised and returned to the community along with hundreds of thousands of volunteer hours through the efforts of the Junior League of Odessa.