Dancing the Night Away at Bal en Blanc

On February 23rd, The New York Junior League hosted its 67th Annual Winter Ball. This year, the organization’s members and guests came together at a stunning new venue, Pier Sixty overlooking the Hudson River. Bal en Blanc was the theme this year, but that did not stop attendees from wearing showstopper gowns of all colors.

The evening began with cocktails and a silent auction followed by a seated dinner and ceremony honoring the outstanding sustainers and volunteers, followed by a cocktail reception and silent auction. The fabulous dinner served nearly 350 who were in attendance enjoying a fine three course meal while listening to brief speeches given by the President Lauren Chung, and one honoree, Angel Rodriguez from Avenues of Justice who was the President’s Council Award recipient.

From left to right: 2019 Outstanding Volunteers (Allison Davis O’Keefe, Leighanna Morbey Favale, Dayna Barlow Cassidy, Shelby Spears Carroll and Beth Batiuchok-Colon) and 2019 Outstanding Sustainers (Dorothy Echols (“Dee Dee”) Scarborough and Robin Stratton Rivera)

During the dinner and through dessert, a brilliant live auction began which raised $40,000 for the NYJL. Auction items included luxurious travel getaways, including a magical trip to Morocco and an enchanting ski trip to Courchevel for an Alpine Escape! The auction also offered exclusive tours and dinners around Manhattan, and even an opportunity to host a personal event at the historic Astor House, home to the New York Junior League headquarters.

Dessert and Dancing guests arrived and were joined by the VIPs who attended the dinner for several hours of dancing the night away to the lively band who kept the vibe going. A glorious change from the previous Winter Ball events at the Pierre Hotel on the Upper East Side, Chelsea Piers premiering as the new venue was a hit!  Guests appeared to really enjoy the view and also the atmosphere of the open waterfront party.

Each year the New York Junior League works tirelessly to organize their largest fundraising event of the year so that its members and non members can come together and honor the year’s most outstanding sustainers and volunteers for their incredible dedication and accomplished work as women leaders within the organization. The Winter Ball also earns substantial proceeds to directly benefit the NYJL and this year raised over $500,000!  Next year will surely be tasked to top the 67th Annual Winter Ball, but we are sure only something greater will be in store! 

NYJL’s Advocates for Public Policy Working for Change

The New York Junior League is a powerful force for the betterment of women and children in New York. In recent years, the determined efforts of our Advocates for Public Policy (APP) committee have spurred legislative change related to human trafficking, paid family leave, the ban on salary history, and more. So we’re celebrating Women’s History Month by highlighting the amazing work of these women who have driven change in our community.

  • In 2008, APP successfully advocated for the provision of funding for domestic violence shelter services for victims of human trafficking and domestic violence. Governor Spitzer signed the legislation into law in September that year.
  • For over a decade, APP worked to bring human trafficking to the forefront of the legislative agenda, urging the New York State Assembly and Senate to enact a strong, comprehensive state law that recognizes human trafficking as a crime, punishes traffickers and establishes services for victims. APP continued its work through advocacy for the Trafficking Victims Protection and Justice Act (TVPJA), a bill recently signed by Governor Cuomo, along with 7 other bills in the Women’s Equality Act.
  • In 2015, APP traveled to the state capital to meet with Senators to advocate for the Paid Family Leave Act. Shortly thereafter, Governor Cuomo included a Paid Family Leave Program in his 2016 budget.
  • In 2017, the committee successfully advocated for the passage of an NYC bill that prevents employers from seeking salary history from their applicants.

While this month is about women’s history, we’re also excited about continued impact in the future. In 2019, APP will once again be traveling to Albany to meet with state representatives. The committee is now focusing its efforts on the Separated Children Accountability Response Act, also called the SCAR Act, demanding more transparency in the reporting of unaccompanied alien children.

The Advocates for Public Policy committee invites all NYJL volunteers to learn more about how to participate in our advocacy efforts. To learn more or to join us in Albany in May, contact advocates@nyjl.org.

Congratulations to the NYJL’s 2019 Outstanding Sustainers and Volunteers

Please join the New York Junior League in congratulating our 2019 Outstanding Sustainers and Outstanding Volunteers! Toast to this year’s honorees and hear stories about them from their friends and family during the upcoming Outstanding Sustainer and Outstanding Volunteer Announcement Party, taking place on Friday, November 16, 2018 at the Astor House.

Our Outstanding Volunteers for 2019 are Beth Batiuchok-Colon, Shelby Spears Carroll, Dayna Cassidy, Leighanna Morbey and Allison Davis O’Keefe. Our Outstanding Sustainers are Robin Stratton Rivera and Dee Dee Scarborough. The awards represent the highest honor that a NYJL active or sustainer can receive. 

Join us at this year’s Announcement Party to make the evening an extra special event for this year’s honorees. All members, friends, and family are invited to attend.

Congratulations again to these extraordinary women who will be honored on February 23, 2019 during the 67th Annual Winter Ball at Pier Sixty.

Bring Your Li’l Goblins and Celebrate Halloween with the NYJL

Got a li’l goblin in your life? Join us for an afternoon of Halloween fun at the New York Junior League. Kids of all ages enjoy magic shows, face painting, cookie decorating, games and other spooky surprises. Come in costume!

All are invited, and we hope to see you there.

Register for Li’l Goblins Halloween Party

Tuesday, October 30, 2018
4:30—6:30 p.m.
The Astor House • 130 East 80th Street, New York, NY 10075

The cost for Lil’ Goblins (children under the age of 13) is $25, and for Big Goblins (adults) is $20. The cost for two or more Li’l Goblins is $20 each and Baby Goblins (under 2) are free.

Celebrating the Newest NYJL Volunteers

The New York Junior League recently honored the latest class of provisionals for completing their requirements at the Spring Provisional Graduation. The ambitious and generous 196 women who make up the Spring 2018 provisional class, represent one of the largest provisional classes in NYJL history.  President, Suzanne Manning, congratulated the women and welcomed them as incoming Active Members of the NYJL.

The 2018 Provisionals on the Move, honored for their character, leadership, volunteerism, and other qualities that will make them a successful active Junior League member, are: Alexandra Carmel, Brittany Dotson, Cait Gillespie, Christina Mangels, Delainey Farris, Devin Brooks, Lauren Cook, Lee Fabiaschi, Natalie Rodriguez, Regan Purcell, Samantha David.

Jennifer Barnes acknowledged that she enjoyed learning about the NYJL mission and volunteering with the Playground Improvement Project during her Provisional training. Caley Taylor and Sabrina Fruci bonded during the neighborhood assignment project and are also both excited to volunteer more during their NYJL careers.

Meshal Rao served as social chair of her provisional group, planning happy hours and other events with her fellow Provisionals, and is excited to continue to meet other members in the upcoming Junior League year. Veronica Rogala was also drawn to the NYJL for the opportunity to socialize with like-minded women, and counted the Provisional Graduation as one of the most exciting moments of the Provisional semester.

The New York Junior League is thrilled to have these new members become Active Members, and encourages other interested women to attend an upcoming orientation to learn more about the NYJL.


From left to right: Devin Brooks, Kristen Morea, Suzanne Manning

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