OUR MISSION

TRANSFORMING COMMUNITIES BY CHALLENGING THE STATUS QUO

The Junior League of San Jose (JLSJ) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION AND BELONGING (DEIB)

The Junior League welcomes all women who value our Mission. We aim to foster a diverse, inclusive, equitable, culturally competent, and supportive environment where members have a sense of belonging and model behavior that enriches our community. JLSJ is committed to ongoing DEIB efforts and investment internally as a League and throughout our community. 

OUR VISION

SOCIETY EVOLVES IN THE CARE OF BRAVE AND THOUGHTFUL LEADERS

The Junior League: Women Around the World as Catalysts for Lasting Community Change.

Founded in 1901 by New Yorker and social activism pioneer Mary Harriman, the Junior Leagues are charitable nonprofit organizations of women, developed as civic leaders, making a demonstrable impact on their communities. In 1921 the Leagues joined forces as an association, which is today known as The Association of Junior Leagues International, Inc., in order to bolster their power and amplify their voice through shared knowledge and common causes.

True to their mission, today’s League members work at the forefront of social reform, tackling the toughest and most critical issues of the day—including childhood nutrition and obesity, human trafficking, foster care, juvenile justice, teen self-esteem, cybercrimes, literacy and the environment, among others—for the purpose of enhancing the social, cultural and political fabric of civil society.

As a result of this work, The Junior League—and the more than 125,000 women in over 295 communities in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Mexico who comprise its ranks—has amassed an archive of tangible results and a reputation as thoughtful and influential change agents dedicated to the public good.

Please visit AJLI’s website for more information.

OUR VALUES

STATEMENT ON EVENTS AT THE U.S. CAPITOL – 1/30/21

The Junior League of San Jose (JLSJ) condemns the violence and insurrection which unfolded at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. These unacceptable and dangerous actions pose a serious threat to our freedom and democracy. We believe in the peaceful transition of power based on the U.S. Constitution. JLSJ supports freedom of speech and respects the right to diversity of thought and perspective; we do not condone or support racism or violence in any form.

JLSJ stands together to search for new ways to create positive systemic change in our community. In the face of challenges and uncertainty, JLSJ continues our mission of promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving the community.

STATEMENT ON VIOLENCE AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS – 2/22/21

As we have seen the pandemic unfold over the last year, violence against our Asian American community has spiked. There have been 20 recent attacks on Asian businesses and people, mostly elders. 2,808 hate incidents were documented in 2020 (see the Stop AAPI Hate 2020 Report), with 700 of those occurring in the Bay Area. Whether or not these incidents were racially motivated, they have a profound impact on our Asian community. The Junior League of San Jose stands united against racism and acts of hate; we denounce these horrific and heinous attacks. We stand in solidarity with victims, survivors, and families who have suffered loss and pain. 

On September 17, 2020, the House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning the rising anti-Asian racism that has been taking place since the outbreak of COVID-19. Last month President Joe Biden signed an executive memorandum acknowledging that “inflammatory and xenophobic rhetoric has put Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) persons, families, communities, and businesses at risk.” However, more needs to be done. Here’s what you can do: 

1. Speak out against anti-Asian rhetoric, whether in person or online. Use the opportunity to educate someone, if you feel safe to do so. 
   1. Read 5 tips on what to do when experiencing or witnessing hate from StopAAPIHate
   2. Learn how to safely intervene in a workshop available through Hollaback! with Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC): Register for March 15th at 6:00pm ET/2:00pm PT 
2. Stand in solidarity with Asians: condemn the racist labels “Kung Flu,” “China Virus,” and “Invisible China Virus.” Associating Asians with a deadly virus makes an already vulnerable minority group targets by suggesting they are at fault for the pandemic. Understand that the dangerous use of these terms promotes xenophobia and normalizes anti-Asian bias.
3. Support Asian organizations:
   1. Stop AAPI Hate is a reporting center created in response to COVID-19 that tracks and responds to hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and youth bullying against Asian American and Pacific Islanders in California and across the U.S. 
   2. Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) is fighting for civil rights and empowering Asian Americans to create a more just America for all.
   3. Buy from your local Asian-owned restaurants and businesses.