CPC Fridge Funds to Help Furnish 826DC’s “Magical” New HQ

826DC completed its move to a new headquarters with a kickoff event Nov. 14. The Columbia Heights facility will help the JLW community partner grow the number of students served by its literacy and writing programs, which include hosting after-school tutoring, field trips for local schools, and creative and expository writing workshops.

JLW is helping with the transition to the new space, as earlier this month the Community Placement Council voted to approve a $1,000 “fridge fund” grant for 826DC, which will be used to purchase comfortable furniture for the teen space in the tutoring and writing center.

The plush seating will make the space more appealing to older students after a long day at school, helping them to be more productive during tutoring sessions.

"Teens have different developmental needs from our younger students, some of which are met by more relaxed seating and a sense of responsibility and autonomy for 'their' space," said Lacey N. Dunham, 826DC's Programs Director. "We're grateful for the Junior League of Washington's support helping us make a welcoming space where teens can further connect with our programming."

The new facility was featured in a Washingtonian.com article last month.

The new space is just across the street from the old location, which included a storefront “Museum of Unnatural History.” The headquarters are now at the historic Tivoli building in Columbia Heights. It now houses a new storefront, Tivoli’s Astounding Magic Supply Co.

"For students, the storefront is an important transition space that carries them from their daily lives to a warm and creative environment. It also inspires our workshops and student writing,” Dunham said.

Attributed to 826DC

826DC is part of the 826 National organization. It opened its D.C. location in 2010 and was a JLW grant recipient before becoming a community partner in incubation. JLW 826DC Committee members volunteer through the Reading All-Stars program, mentoring elementary students on Saturday mornings at Harriet Tubman Elementary in Columbia Heights. Contact Committee Chair Natalie Jennings with questions about the committee.

NMWA Committee Invites League to Pathmakers: Women in Art, Craft and Design, Midcentury and Today

The JLW National Museum of Women in the Arts Committee is excited to share the museum’s current special exhibition, “Pathmakers: Women in Art, Craft and Design, Midcentury and Today.” The pieces exhibited are created with textiles, ceramics and metals. Women artists fifty years ago and today use those materials to elevate what were once categorized as women’s crafts to fine art pieces.

The 1950s were an important time in the history of women artists. Female artists achieved great success at a time when men were dominating the traditional artistic fields of painting, sculpture and architecture. In 1949, Anni Albers, a German-American artist who trained at the Bauhaus school with her husband, had the first one-person show at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York City. The exhibition toured the U.S. for three years, establishing Albers as one of the most famous female artists of the day. Her textiles are on display in Pathmakers.

Left: Anni Albers; Right: Tikal Rug, 1958 by Anni Albers on view at Pathmakers

In addition to the groundbreaking Albers show in 1949, MoMA continued to support the growth of female artists. From 1946-56, MoMa collected more women artist created pieces than ever before or since.

The legacy of Albers, and other midcentury artists featured in Pathmakers, is conveyed through the second act of the exhibition that presents works from contemporary female artists and designers. Female artists reflect and expand upon the work of the earlier generation. An entire gallery in the Pathmakers exhibition at NMWA is dedicated to Polly Apfelbaum’s “Handweaver’s Pattern Book.”

Apfelbaum has hung nearly 50 synthetic silk velvet panels covered in tiny dot patterns created with a simple tool—the basic magic marker. The piece’s title comes from a 1944 how-to book for weavers by Marguerite P. Davison. Mechanized weaving was made possible by punch card patterns fed into the machine and threatened the time-honored tradition of craft weavers. Apfelbaum’s work ties together the central theme of Pathmakers in a colorful array—women elevating traditional craft into fine art in the face of modernization.

Handweaver’s Pattern Book, 2014, by Polly Apfelbaum on view at Pathmakers

NMWA was incorporated as a private, nonprofit museum in 1981, opening its doors to the public in its current location on New York Avenue in 1987; NMWA is the only museum in the world whose sole focus is on celebrating the accomplishments of female artists. The Junior League of Washington has been associated with NMWA since 1983; today, 24 women from the League serve as visitor experience volunteers, staffing the information desk, leading conversation-piece discussions and tours, and supporting the museum at a variety of events.

Please contact NMWA Committee Chair, Lori Vitelozzi, at lori@rcn.com with any questions about the committee.

Apply for the JLW Leadership Institute Get on Board 2016 Winter/Spring Training

The Junior League of Washington’s Membership Development Council and Development & Training Committee, in conjunction with President Cameron Gilreath and President-elect Elizabeth Keys, are pleased to announce the JLW Leadership Institute’s third Get On Board training. This four-part class is designed to provide JLW members with the knowledge and skills needed to serve on JLW’s Board of Directors or other nonprofit community boards. Topics will include roles and responsibilities of Boards, Board/staff relationships, strategic planning and financial oversight, and fundraising. The training is facilitated by BoardSource, a recognized leader in nonprofit governance.

All JLW members in good standing—actives, new members, transfers and sustainers—are eligible to apply.

Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. EST, on Friday, Dec. 4. Interested participants must fill out a short online application form here. Applicants must be committed to attend all four sessions, which will be held at JLW headquarters from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on:

• Tuesday, January 26
• Tuesday, February 23*
• Tuesday, March 29
• Tuesday, April 26 

*This meeting will either be held at JLW HQ or Winston & Strawn LLP offices in Washington, D.C. 

JLW members interested in attending but not able to commit to all four sessions are asked to defer their applications to the next session, which will be offered twice in 2016-17; dates TBD.

JLW will accept approximately 40 students into the Get On Board class. Should more than 40 women apply, participants will be selected by the President, President-elect and Membership Development Council Director. Preference will be given to current JLW board members and chairs. There is no cost to attend—JLW cover the fees associated with this training.

Applicants will be notified of their status via email by 5:00 p.m. EST, Monday, Jan. 4, 2016.

If you have any questions, please contact JLW Membership Council Director Courtney Mesmer at leadershipinstitute@jlw.org.

Annual Sustainer Fall Luncheon

The Sustainer Committee held its annual Fall Luncheon at the Chevy Chase Club on Friday, Oct. 16. A signature event for the JLW sustainer population, the event’s purpose is to reunite members from the previous volunteer cycle and introduce them to new members. A group of 77 League members were in attendance.

While enjoying lunch, reuniting with old friends and becoming acquainted with the new, the ladies were honored to have Author Sharon Hadary as the guest speaker to discuss how to “Lead Boldly! Lead Like a Woman!” As the Founder of the Center of Women’s Business Research, Hadary is a front-runner in studying women’s entrepreneurship and leadership. Her recent book, “How Women Lead: The 8 Essential Strategies Successful Women Know,” was also featured for the sustainers to provide more insight on leadership, mentorship and maximizing opportunities.

Next on the sustainer calendar is the Holiday Shops Breakfast, this Friday, November 5.