Have you all seen this gem, posted on Facebook by our friendly local Junyaleague chapter? I swear if I have to hear the phrase "it's not your mother's Junyaleague" one more time, there is going to be big trouble. You probably know that I also loathe "we're no longer a white glove organization."
For the record, I have no problem with the Junior League's attempts to schedule events around working women's lives, and clearly I am glad that it's possible for working women to be in the League. This is not breaking news, as we all know. If the League hadn't accommodated my work schedule when I joined as a provisional 11 years ago, I would not be the lapsed sustainer I am today. And it was nothing new then. So thank you, League--really. I am glad I got to participate with you girls for at least a little while.
Here is my issue. You want working women. I get it. But do you still want me? Because, like most mothers (employed or otherwise), I have to take great care in choosing my evening events. There's a heirarchy: close friends (including their political campaigns), super-fab events, YWC, Actors nights, acquaintances. And, quite frankly, most Junior League meetings and events just don't have much draw for me. I would love to participate in the League more, but they just don't make their evening events worth my while, and all the talk about "we're not your mother's Junyaleague" makes me feel like they don't even care that I don't participate. Bottom line: I'm busy (as we all are), the Junyaleague meetings are inconvenient for me and not super-fun, so I don't ever go.
(Small caveat: I think their recent fashion show sounded really fun and fabulous, and I would have gone had it been any other night besides Tiny Twinklette's first birthday. I was surprised and thrilled to see that sort of event coming from the League--that is exactly what they should be doing, and I was proud of them for it. And then came this article, once again dashing my hopes for their improvement).
Now, since Tiny T is not yet in school, daytime events aren't super-easy for me either. If I found a second of free time with my two little ones, I would most likely devote it to a nap and not to the League. But that's just my phase of life. In a few years, I fully intend to get more involved with everything again--even by just attending sustainer events--but if the League doesn't accommodate my schedule, how can I participate? I just wish there could be a mix of times for meetings and events so that everyone could go. Wasn't that the initial purpose of putting meetings at night? I really think that we have all gotten past the whole working/non-working rivalry (at least I hope so) but articles like this one just disaffect people like me, who devoted a lot of time and energy to the League in our working years. You're welcome. Also, League, shut up about how accommodating you are. Because you're alienating some of us.
Here's another tip: maybe it's not the best idea to be bragging about how much your organization has changed since Jackie Kennedy was in it. Our membership once included a First Lady, timeless fashion icon, and one of the most influential women of her century--but we're totally different now! Yes you are, League. Yes you are.
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