Junior League of Washington Celebrates Centennial Of Service At National Building Museum

NORTHWEST -- Always a pervasive influence on the city's philanthropically minded, the Junior League of Washington (JLW) celebrated 100 years of service to the D.C. community with a grand Centennial Celebration on Saturday night.

And in an effort to appeal to both longtime as well as younger supporters, the black tie bash was broken down into two segments. A private cocktail reception and plated dinner that began at 6:00p.m. drew a steady influx of the organization's more prominent members, while a more lively after party provided the occasion with an additional dose of youthful energy.

Indeed, far from a mere afterthought, the 9:00p.m. 'Apres Fete' featured plenty of drinks, dessert dishes, and dancing that had everyone lingering inside the cavernous walls of the National Building Museum well into the night.

Conceived of in 1911 and officially incorporated in 1914, the JLW has provided more than $5.4 million and millions of volunteer hours to the Washington community throughout its history. As the national capital area chapter of parent organization The Association of Junior Leagues International, it follows a similar charitable and educational mandate to promote volunteerism.

But more specifically, the JLW is narrowly focused on using its resources and some 2,400-strong membership base to effect positive change on the District's complex literacy challenges.

It does so by addressing three critical areas: 1) by providing age-appropriate books in homes; 2) by providing age-appropriate books in classrooms and libraries; and 3) by reading aloud to children.

The end goal of such 'Books for Bright Futures' and 'Resolution Read' initiatives, respectively, is to foster a passion for books and reading where it might otherwise not exist.

A noble objective sure to be remembered in the annals of history.