The Junior League began in 1901 when Mary Harriman, a 19-year-old New York City debutante with a strong sense of social responsibility, founded the first chapter. Moved by the suffering she witnessed in her community, Harriman rallied 80 other young women—hence the name “Junior” League—to help improve the harsh living conditions of immigrants on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

Harriman’s vision of community improvement through the dedication of trained volunteers quickly gained momentum. The second Junior League was established in Boston, MA, in 1907, followed by the Brooklyn, NY, chapter in 1910. From there, the movement grew.

The Junior League of Lancaster (JLL) was founded in 1923. On November 13, the YWCA hosted the first meeting of the future JLL, with fifty-five young women in attendance. Laura Watt, who served as the temporary chairman, was elected as the first president.

Since our founding, the Junior League of Lancaster has remained a volunteer-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the leadership potential of women and making a positive impact on the Lancaster community.

For more information about our parent organization, The Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), click here.