Junior League of Rhode Island Donates
Historical Collection to the Rhode Island Historical Society
The donation includes 100+ years of documentation from the Junior League of Rhode Island’s impact in the state.
Providence, R.I., January 2025 – The Junior League of Rhode Island (JLRI) and the Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS) today announced the donation of historical JLRI materials to the RIHS. These materials will now be made available to researchers and the public through the Robinson Research Center of the RIHS.
The collection features documentation of over 100 years of progress in the form of manuscripts, ledgers, programs, and photographs. It highlights the history of women’s leadership and community action across the state of Rhode Island since 1921. This latest donation is part of JLRI’s long history of charitable donations and action to an organization that offers collections, museums, and educational initiatives that welcome everyone to engage with Rhode Island’s complex and significant past.
This tradition goes back to the JLRI’s founding and its philosophy of promoting and perpetuating social change in our community. JLRI has previously worked with and championed the work of the Ronald McDonald House of Providence, Amos House, St. Mary’s Home for Children, Crossroads, and Foster Forward.
As expressed by JLRI’s Co-President Elizabeth Noren, “The Junior League of Rhode Island is proud to continue its ongoing tradition of contributing to the community through this donation. We’ve seen the life-changing power of Junior League programs firsthand and now it’s time to share our history of community impact and developing women as community leaders.”
JLRI’s Co-President Elaine Colarusso added, “We are delighted to partner with the Rhode Island Historical Society to ensure the preservation of our legacy. This partnership reflects our shared commitment to celebrating Rhode Island’s rich history of service and how the women of the Junior League remain at the forefront. We’re honored that future generations will gain a full understanding of the Junior League’s 103 years of service.”
“The RIHS has been collecting books and manuscripts since its founding in 1822,” said Phoebe Bean, Associate Director of the RIHS’s Robinson Research Center. “We are pleased and honored to add the historical records of the Junior League of Rhode Island to our strong holdings of archives related to the women of Rhode Island. JLRI has been at the forefront of women’s service for over 100 years, seeding and supporting institutions that serve the people. The records of its history are now available for researchers of all ages.”
JLRI’s donation is also the first of its kind to the RIHS, as a full collection of a century documenting a women’s organization. To celebrate the availability of this collection, JLRI and RIHS are hosting a special event during Women’s History Month, “Celebrating the Women of Rhode Island Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” on Tuesday, March 11th, that is open to all who are interested. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4jA4Tg6
Junior League of Rhode Island (JLRI) is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Above all else, our goal is to promote and perpetuate social change in the Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts communities that will benefit most from it. By empowering women and providing valuable leadership training, we are giving local women the tools to get involved, put their talents to work, and positively impact the communities of Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts. jlri.org
Rhode Island Historical Society, the state’s oldest and only state-wide historical organization, welcomes everyone to engage with Rhode Island’s complex and significant past through its collections, museums, and educational initiatives. Founded in 1822, the RIHS is an advocate for history as a means to develop empathy and 21st-century skills, using its historical materials and knowledge to explore topics of timeless relevance and public interest. As a Smithsonian Affiliate, it is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible public programming and educational opportunities for all Rhode Islanders through its four sites: the John Brown House Museum, the Museum of Work & Culture, the Mary Elizabeth Robinson Research Center, and the Aldrich House.
The headquarters of the Rhode Island Historical Society are located at 110 Benevolent Street, Providence, RI 02906. Information: (401) 331-8575. Website: rihs.org. Follow the RIHS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.