Some highlights of the history and projects of the Junior League of Boise:

1928:  The Boise Junior Charity Leagues is accepted as a chapter into the Association of Junior Leagues of America.

1930’s : With the Depression gripping the country, the JLB helped out the women and children in the Treasure Valley by hosting summer camps for underprivileged children, holding nutrition classes and well baby clinics. These efforts provided the women and their families with nourishing food and improved the health of the babies, children and mothers.  

1941-45: With the U.S. entering WWII, the JLB started its efforts with the Red Cross, helping to start and fund a Bandage & Motor Corp.

1946:  The JLB organized and equipped the 1^st Boise Nursing School, and assisted in the funding of foster homes.

1947: The JLB brought back summer day camps for children.

1948:  The JLB put on a fashion show to benefit the March of Dimes, and helped the Boy & Girl Scouts Y-Teens program.

1949:  St. Alphonsus’ hospital shop is opened by the JLB, and the JLB starts to form the puppet committee, an endeavor to teach the history of Idaho and bring it life to children using marionettes.

1950:  The marionettes tour Idaho schools; the JLB turns the hospital shop over to the St. Alphonsus Auxiliary.

1951:  While touring the marionettes, the JLB also starts the planning of the Traveling Arts Library.

1952:  The JLB continues its support of Easter Seals, the marionettes and the Arts Library.

1953:  The provisional class holds a rummage sale, and the Idaho Concert and Artists Series is started by the JLB. 

1954:  The first teachers are trained for the Arts Library; the JLB helped the National Cerebral Palsy Telethon.

1955:  Numerous projects are started, including a Civic Symphony Youth Concert, the Easter Seal Center, a Geriatrics & Chronic Case Project and the Public Library Project. 

1956: The JLB Library Committee starts up, as does the Poster Committee, which trained volunteers on making effective posters 

1957:  The JLB works with the Idaho Historical Museum on its exhibits, continues its foster home funding program, and continues its interaction with youth through the marionettes and the youth concerts, and by creating a new educational program using hand puppets. 

1958:  The Idaho Historical Museum helps train many JLB members as docents and sub-curators. 

1959:  The JLB Museum Committee is formed.  

1960:  The JLB increases its commitment to strengthen the arts and education with the Art in Schools program, educational programs with the marionettes and hand puppets, and working at the Museum as docents.

1961:  The Health, Welfare & Recreation Directory is started by the JLB, as is the Booth Memorial Grooming Committee.

1962:  The JLB celebrates its 35^th anniversary! 

1963:  The JLB provides a substantial contribution to the youth Philharmonic’s concerts and works on visual aids for the blind (such as Braille and typing services). 

1964:  The JLB’s efforts in providing more exposure to the arts and improving education continue. 

1965:  The hand puppets are turned over to the public library and the Health, Welfare & Recreation Directory is turned over to the C of C. 

1966:   The Bishop Rhea Center receives help from the JLB in serving hot meals to its elderly clients; the Historical Society Auxiliary is created; the JLB begins to plan a day care center.

1967:  The JLB reaches a technological milestone by presenting the puppets (with the public library) on TV, reaching an even wider audience in the Treasure Valley.

1968:  The JLB hosts the regional conference, starts the YWCA teen pilot project and also starts the Zoo Survey committee to examine the feasibility of having a zoo in Boise.

1969:  The JLB rounds out the 1960’s by improving the marionette show and starting the Comm. Res. Committee.