Interest in volunteer groups and leadership training for women continues to grow in the Madison area. “Women want connection, purpose, and a place to give back,” said Alyx Park, Executive Vice President of the Junior League of Madison. “Our New Member Class is built to support that.”

To give women a closer look, JLM is hosting Every Woman. All Things: Finding Belonging on January 24 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. This free session brings women together to talk about the mental load, connection, and community support, along with an introduction to the New Member experience. Registration is available on Eventbrite.

New Member Orientation will take place on February 21 at the Fitchburg Library.

The Junior League of Madison is an all-volunteer organization that trains women for civic leadership and partners with local groups to support families, youth, and community well-being.

Applications are open through February 21.
More information is available at madison.jl.org/apply.

The post Junior League of Madison Opens Spring Application Period appeared first on Junior League of Madison, WI.

Women today face unprecedented pressures, balancing careers, caregiving, financial responsibilities, societal expectations, and the often-invisible labor that goes unrecognized. Every Woman. All Things. seeks to start a meaningful conversation, raise awareness, and provide resources that support women in managing these challenges.

“While there is no single solution to the mental overload women face, Every Woman. All Things. gives us a platform to name the issues, share resources, and stand together as a community,” said Emily Sulik, President of The Junior League Madison. “We are committed to fostering dialogue and action that uplifts women in our communities and beyond.”

For more information about Every Woman. All Things. and how to get involved, visit www.everywomanallthings.com.

About The Junior League of Madison

The Junior League of Madison is part of one of the oldest and largest premier women’s organizations, committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Since 1988, we have addressed community issues through hands-on projects, partnerships with local organizations, and advocacy efforts.

Through leadership development, community collaboration, and service projects, we Develop Women to Do a World of Good, making a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

The Junior League is part of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), a global network of more than 113,000 women in 296+ communities across the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Kenya, and the United Kingdom.

To learn more or get involved, visit www.ajli.org or www.juniorleagueofmadison.org.

Media Contact:
Alyx Park

Executive Vice President

executivevp@juniorleagueofmadison.org

The post The Junior League Launches “Every Woman. All Things.” Initiative to Address Women’s Mental Overload appeared first on Junior League of Madison, WI.

Madison, WI – The Junior League of Madison (JLM) will join Junior Leagues across the country in celebrating Find the Good Day on Thursday, September 18, 2025. This annual day, created by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), encourages individuals and organizations to “find the good” in themselves, their communities, and the world around them.

Locally, JLM members and community partners will mark the occasion with a series of events designed to highlight service, connection, and giving back:

• Kendra Scott Give-Back Night at Hilldale
  Thursday, September 18 | Drop-in 6–8 PM
  Community members are invited to shop at Kendra Scott Hilldale while enjoying charcuterie and wine. Twenty percent of sales will benefit Junior League of Madison programs. Guests will also have the chance to write “Spread the Good” notes of encouragement that will be shared across Dane County.

• Kendra Scott Online Give-Back
  September 18–19
  Shoppers who enter code GIVEBACK-JWUWM at checkout on kendrascott.com will have 20% of their purchase donated back to JLM.

• Madison Reading Project Open House
  Wednesday, September 17 | Drop-in 7:30–9:30 AM
  Madison Reading Project is hosting a community open house with coffee, breakfast, and tours of their Book Center and Free Book Bus. As a community partner, Junior League of Madison is proud to support their mission — and you’ll even spot the JLM logo on the bus we helped bring to life. Wear your JLM nametag and League gear.

In addition to these events, JLM is encouraging members and supporters to participate in Find the Good Day Bingo, a community challenge featuring simple acts of kindness that can be completed anywhere.

“Find the Good Day is a celebration of what Junior League is all about: women coming together to create meaningful impact in our communities,” said [INSERT PRESIDENT’S NAME], President of the Junior League of Madison. “Whether through service, fundraising, or small acts of kindness, we are proud to highlight the many ways our members are finding and spreading the good right here in Dane County.”

About Junior League of Madison
The Junior League of Madison (JLM) is a nonprofit organization of women committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Since 1988, JLM has supported programs and initiatives that strengthen the greater Madison area, with a focus on education and youth leadership.

For more information about Find the Good Day events or to learn more about JLM, please visit www.jlmadison.org.

The post Junior League of Madison Celebrates Find the Good Day with Community Events and Give-Back Opportunities appeared first on Junior League of Madison, WI.

Orientation is the first step for new members to connect with one another, learn more about JLM’s mission, and prepare for a year of community impact, leadership development, and meaningful service.

“We’re excited to welcome women who want to make a difference in the Madison community and grow personally and professionally,” said Emily Sulik, President of JLM. “Whether you’re new to the area or simply looking for a new way to get involved, this group will play an important role in building a better Madison through volunteer action, collaboration, and leadership training.”

During orientation, members will:

• Meet their New Member team and League mentors

• Learn about upcoming service initiatives and leadership opportunities

• Get an introduction to JLM’s projects and community partners

Women interested in joining the Junior League of Madison are encouraged to connect with the League to learn more about membership opportunities, even after the September orientation. For more information, email info@juniorleagueofmadison.org.

About the Junior League of Madison:
Founded in 1988, the Junior League of Madison is an organization of women committed to advancing women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. The League supports youth leadership, education, and equity initiatives throughout Dane County.

The Junior League of Madison is a member of The Association of Junior Leagues International, a network of nearly 300 Leagues across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. Together, Junior Leagues are shaping communities and developing women as civic leaders.

CONTACT: Alyx Park, Executive Vice President
Junior League of Madison
executivevp@juniorleagueofmadison.org

###

The post Junior League of Madison Welcomes Fall 2025 New Member Class appeared first on Junior League of Madison, WI.

Launching: Wisconsin’s First All-Accessible Free Book Bus 

Madison Reading Project’s newest book bus  – the only all-accessible free book bus in Wisconsin – launches May 18 to begin a year-round mission of bringing free literacy programs to children.

Madison Reading Project invites the community to attend the official launch, Saturday May 18, 10:30 a.m. at the Kohl Center concourse at the UW Campus, welcomed by host Wisconsin Athletics.

Tours of both Madison Reading Project buses and other mobile partners, including Madison School and Community Recreation, local libraries, and Bucky Badger, will be featured. Plus, free books for all children attending!

“Our new book bus is ADA-compliant with wide aisles and a wheelchair lift, is fully accessible to all children, caregivers– and virtually all are welcome to climb aboard and pick books to take home,” says Rowan Childs, founder and executive director. “This vehicle joins our current one which has been on the road for more than five years.

“This model of providing books to kids at no cost and meeting them where they are at works with our partners to help raise literacy rates of youth and build home libraries while removing barriers to access,” Childs adds.

Madison Reading Project is thrilled to have the funding campaign nearly completed, with the help of corporate donors, local foundations, and individuals sponsoring the newly expanded bus program.

Junior League of Madison has generously donated to the campaign and is offering a $50K matching grant now through the end of May to help reach the goal. To make a matching donation, visit:

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/fillthebuscampaign/event/bookbuspalooza/

“A gift in any amount will help our staff and volunteers reach thousands of children with free books and literacy engagement across the greater Dane County area,” says Emily Wills, Madison Reading Project development director. “The new Reading Bus holds three times as many books as the current bus, allowing us to break last year’s record of 124,000 books given to 100,000 kids.”

“We’re already making plans with schools, social services organizations, and our community partners to bring the new bus to schools, neighborhood centers, and community events all over Dane County,” adds Deirdre Steinmetz, programs and operations director. “We’re so grateful for the support we’ve received this far and are excited to get the bus on the road and reach more kids.”

Madison Junior League is thrilled to partner in literacy improvement efforts. “By supporting Madison Reading Project, our members are helping to inspire children to become better readers,” says Sarah Barnes, Junior League president. “We are proud to help!”

Chartered in 2014 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Madison Reading Project has given more than 500,000 books to children living in nine (9) South Central Wisconsin counties. Much of the giving is targeted to under-resourced families and children needing literacy support.

The post Madison Reading Project: Launching: Wisconsin’s First All-Accessible Free Book Bus appeared first on Junior League of Madison, WI.

The gift to the Madison Reading Project (“MRP”) includes final funding for their new, all-accessible ADA second Big Read Reading Bus that will debut in 2024, a $50,000 challenge grant to the Dane County community to “Fill the Bus,” and a $100,000 Visionary gift for MRP new headquarters. MRP connects our community with free books and literacy resources that ignite a love for reading and affirm and reflect the diversity of our young readers. MRP currently serves 250,000+ children and teachers, and their goal is to double that current number.

The gift to MYArts includes $25,000 for an Indoor Mural for their Artist in Residence Program and $50,000 for their Access fund so that every single youth programming partner can receive support through reduced charges. MyArts is a vibrant community space that currently supports nearly 60 impactful and wide-array of youth art programs. The League has also established a $150,000 grant-making program, bringing the League’s current financial commitment to the community to nearly half a million dollars.

The post Junior League of Madison Celebrates 35th Anniversary with Major Community Gifts appeared first on Junior League of Madison, WI.