Women Building a Better Community since 1960

In February 1960, the Fort Smith Service League Day Nursery attained Junior League affiliation and became known as the Junior League of Fort Smith, Inc. Under the Leadership of President Mrs. S.W. Jackson, Jr, the Junior League of Fort Smith became a part of a worldwide movement of promoting volunteerism, improving the community, and developing the potential of women through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Since its founding in 1901 by social activist Mary Harriman, The Junior League has evolved into one of the oldest, largest and most effective women's volunteer organizations in the world, encompassing 155,000 women in 293 Leagues in four countries.

Our mandate has not wavered: to develop exceptionally qualified civic leaders who collaborate with community partners to identify a community's most urgent needs and address them with meaningful and relevant programs and initiatives that not only improve lives but also change the way people think. This important work has won us dedicated community and corporate partners and loyal supporters for more than 112 years as well as an enduring legacy as the foremost provider of civic leadership training for women.

Many of the Greater Fort Smith Region's most precious community projects and non-profit developments started with the Fort Smith Service League Day Nursery and the Junior League of Fort Smith, and those women committed to building better communities.

They don't call us the Volunteer Powerhouse for nothing.

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A few of the JLFS's Past Projects, 1950-2023:

• Children's Theatre

• Bargain Box

• Book Mobile

• Comprehensive Juvenile Services

• Voluntary Action Center

• Heritage Foundation

• Gateway House

• Clayton House

• Grantmanship Library at Westark Community College

• Project LEAD (Legal Education to Arrest Delinquency)

• Old Fort River Festival

• Gregory Kistler Treatment Center

• Project Literacy

• Pregnancy Clinic

• CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)

• WHO (We Help Others)

• Kids in the Kitchen

• Immunization of Children

• Adult Education Center

• Done in a Day

• Children's Emergency Shelter

• Table to Table

• Buckle Up and Be Safe

• Project GEM

• Day at the Derby

• Fostering Fashion

• Spring Market

• Project READY

• HEAL