JLT History
Our Mission
The Junior League of Topeka, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.
70 Years of Service
The Junior Charities of Topeka, which was established in 1932, officially changed its name to The Junior League of Topeka, Inc. in 1937 and affiliated with the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI).
Over the past 70 years, the JLT has committed more than $1.3 million and countless volunteer hours to help build a better community.
1930s - 1950s. The Junior League of Topeka focuses on supporting the war effort. In 1955, JLT hosts its first Next-to-New Sale, a Topeka tradition that continues today.
1960s. The Junior League of Topeka establishes the Volunteer Center of Topeka. JLT provides key funding for the Arts Council of Topeka and Mulvane Art Museum.
1970s. The Junior League of Topeka brings the Meals on Wheels program to Topeka. JLT establishes the Everywomans Resource Center (ERC), Kansas Action for Children, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and Hospice Inc.
1980s. The Junior League of Topeka founds the Topeka Community Foundation. JLT funds “Get Set”, a county-wide drug and alcohol education program for Topeka youth.
1990s. The Junior League of Topeka brings the Everybody Wins! When Adults Read with Children program to Topeka. JLT helps implement Kids Voting in Topeka schools.
2000s. The Junior League of Topeka launches “Happy, Healthy Me!”, a multi-year initiative to prevent and reduce childhood obesity in Shawnee County.
JLT Past Presidents
- 1932-1934 Mary
Cole Burrow*
- 1934-1935 Eva
Miller Owthawaite*
- 1935-1936 Betty
Frost Crosby*
- 1936-1937 Catherine
Catlin Petersen
- 1937-1938 Majorie
Rosen Crosby*
- 1938-1939 Virginia
Miller Fleming*
- 1939-1940 Julia
Jencks Abrahams
- 1940-1941 Charlotte
Martin Martin*
- 1941-1942 Thelma
Hobson Pyle*
- 1942-1943 Sallie
Lillard Dibble*
- 1943-1944 Irene
Land Meade
- 1944-1945 Winifred
Killiam Meyers
*
- 1945-1946 Jane
Akers Forney *
- 1946-1947 Catherine
Johntz Casey*
- 1947-1948 Betty
Warren Weilding*
- 1948-1949 Harriett
Graybill Barrett*
- 1948-1949 Eleanor
Schriver Gibson
- 1949-1950 Betty
Thomas Caldwell*
- 1950-1951 Harriet
Perry Sloan *
- 1951-1952 Janet
Miller King*
- 1952-1953 Miriam
Whitford Heinz *
- 1953-1954 Lettia
Frost Staebler*
- 1954-1955 Doris
Dean Houseworth Cray*
- 1955-1956 Carolyn
Kline Alexander*
- 1956-1957 Mary
Louise Alexander Whelan*
- 1957-1958 Simone
Amardeil Johnson
- 1958-1959 Mary
Bellamy Neiswanger
- 1959-1960 Royce
Palmer O'Neil *
- 1960-1961 Betty
Lou Cave Van Slyck
- 1961-1962 Joanne
Wallace Brier
- 1962-1963 Marcia
Cole Saville
- 1963-1964 Margaret
Griffeth Dibble
- 1964-1965 Virginia
Dodge Johnson*
- 1965-1966 Elizabeth
Mustard Stratton
- 1966-1967 Georgiana
Sewell Morrill
- 1967-1968 Marjorie
Crane Schnacke
- 1968-1969 Margaret
Hazard Beers
- 1969-1970 Barbara
Banta Bunten
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- 1970-1971 Jackie
Anderson Fink
- 1971-1972 Penny
Palmer Lumpkin
- 1972-1973 Carolyn
Anderson Adams
- 1973-1974 Ellen
Proudfit Williams
- 1974-1975 Alicia
Laing Salisbury
- 1975-1976 Carol
Miller Mueller
- 1976-1977 Sallee
Tappen Blair*
- 1977-1978 Marilyn
Strobel Ward
- 1978-1979 Nancy
Jasperson Perry
- 1979-1980 Polly
Palmer Brunkhardt
- 1980-1981 Connie
Hall Hubbell
- 1981-1982 Pam
Russell Alexander
- 1982-1983 Julie
Elting Schloetzer
- 1983-1984 Jett
Carkhuff Elmer
- 1984-1985 Jane
Carlsen Metzger
- 1985-1986 Beth
Fontron Fager
- 1986-1987 Sandy
Williams Vogel
- 1987-1988 Marsha
Martin Sheahan
- 1988-1989 Charlotte
Gaither Adair
- 1989-1990 Nancy
Hanks Alexander
- 1990-1991 Paula
Crowther Merriam
- 1991-1992 Jane
Replogle Rhoads
- 1992-1993 Joyce
Hudson Martin
- 1993-1994 Jan
Troupe Michel
- 1994-1995 Lana
Goodman Gordon
- 1995-1996 Rebecca
Duvall Holmquist
- 1996-1997 Vickie
Griffith Hawver
- 1997-1998 Barbara
Walker Rankin
- 1998-1999 Pamela
Burcham Koupal
- 1999-2000 Jeanie
Joy Schuler
- 2000-2001 Ann
Becker Logan
- 2001-2002 Robyn
Reimer Aeschliman
- 2002-2003 Mary Ford Hutchinson
- 2003-2004 Wendy Baker McClain
- 2004-2005 Carrie Nicks Riordan
- 2005-2006 Laurie Headrick Niehaus
- 2006-2007 Amy Hillyer Crouch
* = deceased
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