About Us

The Junior League of Nashville (JLN) was founded in 1922 by a group of visionary women committed to serving the Nashville community in a volunteer capacity. Today, JLN has more than 1400 members and remains committed to developing the potential of women as leaders and grassroots volunteers. Continuing our decades-long focus on children and the Nashville community, the Junior League of Nashville developed initiatives to alleviate poverty and impact literacy in June of 2023.

The Junior League of Nashville is a member of the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI). Of the 295 leagues around the world with a total of 125,000 members, the JLN is among the largest in the association. JLN has founded many important Nashville resources, such as the Nashville Children’s Theatre, Renewal House, Our Kids, and the JLN Children’s Services at the downtown Nashville Public Library.

Our first community project was the Junior League Home for Crippled Children, founded in 1923 as a rehabilitation hospital for children with polio. In 1970, the Junior League merged that facility with the then-new Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital, and the hospital remains a major focus of JLN philanthropy and volunteer support.

Our work is supported by community support and donations, Annual Fund gifts, membership dues, and our major fundraisers.

JLN has been recognized for its volunteer management by Hands On Nashville, in conjunction with the mayor’s office of Metro Nashville.

Our Mission

The Junior League of Nashville is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

Our Vision
The Junior League of Nashville is a premier women’s volunteer organization that offers our members the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with others who are unified by a desire to give back to our community. Through the talents of a diverse membership we will support and enrich the lives of women, children and families in our community. Together we have greater impact than we do individually.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging 
The Junior League welcomes all women who value our mission. We are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations, and communities.

Our Values
The Junior League of Nashville accomplishes our mission through the actions of women who share our core values.

Community: We value engagement with our community to anticipate and address its needs through education, service, and strategic partnerships.
Connection: We value opportunities for engagement with a diverse group of women to develop lifelong personal and professional relationships.
Growth: We value a dynamic organization that develops and empowers our members to be community volunteers and leaders.

JLN Vision 2030

In 2030, JLN will be known for:

  • A culture of inclusion and belonging
  • A powerful, collective voice for improving the community
  • An enduring legacy of impactful volunteer service
  • Transformative leadership and development experiences
  • A place to deepen connections