Celebrating Women’s History Month: Junior League of Wilmington Advances Women’s Causes for More than a Century

Since 1918, the Junior League of Wilmington (JLW) has been committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving local Communities.

“For 100+ years, the JLW has identified issues affecting the Community, and created solutions to serve the Wilmington population, through Community projects and partners,” said Jessica Chapple, President, Junior League of Wilmington.

The organization’s focus has expanded and changed through the years, from supporting women’s voting rights, to spearheading the passage of Erin’s Law to its latest initiative Stand Up. Period., which addresses period equity.

This latest initiative has raised countless supplies since launching in 2019, helping to support other nonprofit organizations, including Meet Me at the Well, the Reach Warehouse, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Community Services and The Hope Center, as well as individuals.

“It takes a lot of support from partners, like WSFS, to achieve our Mission,” said Chapple. “Now, more than ever, our Community needs us, and with the help of WSFS, we are able to fulfill our Mission of training women and building a better Community.”

This past year, WSFS partnered with JLW on three events, including two major fundraisers, Whale of a Sale (Delaware’s largest garage sale) and Kitchen Tour (a look at the most incredible local kitchens and most talented local chefs), as well as JLW’s Women’s Leadership Summit.

For the past few years, WSFS has sponsored the Women’s Leadership Summit, which provides opportunities for women in the Delaware Valley to connect with other local women, enhance their skills to become more effective and empowered leaders in their Community, their organization, and their life.

The organization pivoted the Women’s Leadership Summit to a virtual event for 2021, but was still able to provide women with valuable speaking engagements, speed networking and workshops to fuel professional development and personal growth.

“The Women’s Leadership Summit is a great avenue for us to share part of our Mission – training women – within the Community,” said Chapple. “It is important to the JLW to have sponsors, like WSFS, who also value investing in women in our Community.”

“WSFS is proud to support the JLW and the important initiatives it has spearheaded throughout its history,” said Vernita Dorsey, Senior Vice President, Director of Community Strategy, WSFS Bank. “As a proud member of the JLW, I’ve seen first-hand just how vital its initiatives are for the Community. Much like the JLW, WSFS has a deep-rooted history in Delaware. We’ve been serving our Communities for nearly 200 years and we’re honored our support can play a role in the JLW continuing the important work it has been doing for more than a century to advance women causes and the Community as a whole.”