March, National Women’s History Month, offers us a unique opportunity to celebrate the significant contributions that women have made both nationally and locally. At the 1995 United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, it was stated within the Platform for Action, "The empowerment of women is the empowerment of society."
Nowhere is this truer than in the Junior League. As president of the Junior League of Monmouth County, I am privileged to be part of an organization dedicated to developing the potential of women — our volunteers and the greater community that we serve. This concept is the cornerstone of all that we are.
The fact that we are an organization of and for women is important to those we serve because as women, sisters, mothers and daughters, we are able to identify and address those issues that most significantly impact other women. Preventing domestic violence, helping women leave welfare for work, mentoring teenage girls, and teaching self-esteem programs in schools and community centers are just a few of the ways that Junior League volunteers reach out in to their communities to support other women.
The Junior League of Monmouth County is celebrating 65 years of developing the leadership potential of women within the community every day.
Some of the community programs that the Junior League has been instrumental in beginning are the Monmouth Day Care Center, The Volunteer Center, Monmouth Museum, Campership and Hand-in-Hand in Long Branch.
The fact that we are an organization of and for women is also important to our members.
We offer a safe environment where women’s natural leadership skills can be cultivated and nurtured. Our initiatives within the Monmouth County community enable our members to find their voices, share their unique perspectives and, most importantly, be heard.
Our members know that volunteerism is, and long has been, the means by which women help themselves and help others in the community. So, as you celebrate women during National Women’s History Month, I hope you will also take a moment to celebrate the Junior League, where women build better communities.
Laura Oncea
President
Junior League
of Monmouth County