Junior League Past Presidents' Luncheon

Outgoing JLS President Renee Hartnett with
Ashley Baerwaldt, Incoming JLS President

Today I attended the Junior League of Seattle Past Presidents' Luncheon to join in welcoming the incoming JLS President Ashley Baerwaldt to the group.  It was a lovely luncheon at the Rainier Club hosted by the outgoing JLS President, Renee Hartnett, and it was a treat to catch up with 28 past presidents. 

The Junior League of Seattle currently includes almost 1,400 members.  Each president serves for one year as President-Elect and then as President for one year.  It is an incredibly busy, yet rewarding time for these volunteer leaders.

As we each had the opportunity today to stand and share a bit about what is currently going on in our lives, I realized that since I served in 1991-92, that it is exactly 20 years ago that I served as JLS President.  In some ways, it feels like yesterday and in others, it feels as if it was in another lifetime.

The past president attending today that had served longest ago was Sara Hoppin, who was President 36 years ago.  Also attending was Kathy Randall, 1987-88 JLS President and current 2012 Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Community Service Award winner.  The other three past presidents in attendance today who have also received the Dorothy Stimson Bullitt Community Service Award were Marli Iverson (2006), Sue Mecklenburg (2008), and me (2003).  Additional past presidents attending today included Natalie Bowman, Elizabeth Reilly, Chrissey Miller, Rhonda Neben, Evelyn Zabo, JoAnne Jones, Marilyn Leck, Maria Mackey Gunn, Jane Nellams, Sue Minahan, JP Brigham, Susan Hubbard, Dot Fuller, Joan Gehrke, Judy Holder, Marcia Zech, Andrea Mann (Milwaukee), Heather McMahan (Palm Desert), and Gail Barre.

Renee Hartnett, Cathi Hatch, Ashley Baerwaldt

The past presidents were impressed with the direction we see the League heading and especially with a couple of the projects that Renee mentioned to us including establishing partnerships to prevent human trafficking and work to provide additional support and interaction with foster children.  It is rewarding and comforting to see such dynamic women who have stepped up to lead Junior League of Seattle, each of whom are committed to living the mission by promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.  JLS is in very good hands!