Stop! Don't Bother Me!

When I joined the Junior League of Columbia, I certainly did not imagine that I would find myself in a room full of League Women, early on a Saturday morning, screaming at the top of my lungs, "STOP! Don't Bother Me!" But alas, that is exactly what happened on the morning of January 21, 2012.

Usually, we are a community of hospitable women with the spirit of community and volunteerism running through our veins. However that morning, our blood was rushing for a completely different reason - Self Defense.

Thanks to the Membership Satisfaction Committee, a group of us participated in a 4-hour class to learn about safety and self defense. Each year, this committee develops programs for the benefit of our members - so this class was part of the annual lineup that also included an Evening Out at Pout, a Halloween party and a Photo 101 workshop, to name a few.

Deputy Torres, a member of the Community Action Team (C.A.T), with the Richland County Sherriff's Department, taught this class for our members. While Deputy Torres works in a role that involves community action, she volunteers her time to teach women these techniques in self defense.

The program is for women only, and as the website explains, sets out to "empower us to recognize our strengths and make sound decisions when faced with a potentially dangerous situation." Of course, the hope is that we will never have to use these skills, but feel confident and prepared if we are ever forced into such a scenario. Essentially, we learned ways to minimize our chances of becoming a victim that included physical tactics aimed at disabling an attacker long enough to escape.

When practicing each scenario routine, the first thing we all yelled was, "Stop! Don't Bother Me!" This tactic invites others in the area to become aware and possibly involved in what is happening. We are grateful that Deputy Torres volunteered her personal time to teach this program to our group. She also spent some time reviewing some best practices regarding personal safety and a few of those tips are shared for you below:

· Do not act or look like an easy target - walk confidently, purposefully, and briskly.
· Always be familiar with your surroundings. (Be Alert)
· Always approach your vehicle with the keys ready and phone in your pocket.
· If you see or sense problems while walking, change your route.
· If you are a runner, change your route regularly.
· Never get into a car, never. Even if someone has a knife or gun. Run and scream. Getting
into the car reduces your chance of survival since they can take you to a secluded location.
· Always park in well-lit locations.
· Be suspicious of anyone approaching your car.


If you took the class and want to commend Deputy Torres, or any RCSD employee, please commend an officer using their website form. If you missed the class, or want to get a group of your own together, visit the RCSD website for more information. Thanks to Alicia Harper and the Member Satisfaction Committee for another great program!

The program information included this quote, which sums it up nicely: "The paradox of self-defense is that the more prepared you are, the less likely you are to need it. When you can recognize and respond effectively to potentially dangerous situations, you are more confident in your everyday activities. You are also less likely to become a target of crime."

Post by: Cameron Risher

Done in a Day: Healthy Learners

1,400 toothbrushes, 1,300 tubes of toothpaste and 1,000 containers of floss where all donated for the Healthy Learners Done In A Day Provisional Project.

Over twenty Active and Provisional Junior League members gathered to stuff bags for school age children in the Midlands area. Bags where filled with combs, brushes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, deodorant and many other commonly used hygiene items. Junior League members spent a few hours assembling and cross checking over 500 bags.

When it was all said and done...I'm sure each member had a blast, but our hope is that each child who receives a bag will know that someone cares about them.

Post by: Bianca Crawford

My grandmother gave me this poem a while ago and I thought I'd share it with my fellow Junior League of Columbia members.

The Sculptor

I took a piece of plastic clay
And idly fashioned it one day,
And as my fingers pressed it, still
It bent and yielded to my will.

I came again, when days were passed,
The bit of clay was hard at last,
The form I gave it, still it bore,
But I could change that form no more.

Then I took a piece of living clay
And gently formed it, day by day
And molded with my power and art,
A young child’s soft and yielding heart.

I came again when years were gone,
It was a man I looked upon.
He still that early impress bore,
And I could change it, nevermore.

~Author Unknown

As the League enters the second half of the year, it’s a fitting reminder of the impact our Healthy Children focus has on the community. So…serve a shift, donate to Clean Sweep, sponsor a new member and stay active within the League. We all have the ability to be sculptors within the JLC.

Post by: Meredith Waldrop

Why I Joined the Junior League of Columbia: A Provisional's Perspective

Something interesting happens once provisional training meetings start. Even though I knew no magic JLC fairy exists to make everything run smoothly (even though there are many members I could name who just might be that very fairy), I quickly realized just how many women dedicate large chunks of their time and energy to make this organization effective. At a recent meeting the provisionals learned about finance, reimbursements and spending. These are the more administrative placements and functions that are the backbone for all the other events put on by the JLC.

Between the different types of DIAD (Done in a Day) projects, Holiday Market, Clean Sweep and others, it was easy to see that these women do not just dedicate their time because of a sense of obligation but because they feel a deep connection to this group and its mission.

With these thoughts just beginning to help me establish my connection to the JLC, I selected to participate in the Big Brothers Big Sisters picnic as my community shift. Beth Richardson did a fantastic job of planning this DIAD event. Along with a handful of other provisional and active members, we gathered at Edisto Discovery Park in Rosewood to help with food preparation, field activities, and showing the kids how to prepare healthy snacks. Some of our JLC members even took up the task of face-painting; believe me when I say that those kids looked spectacular!!

The saying goes that there’s nothing more special than a child’s laughter and watching these kids play and laugh was a truly inspiring sight. But, beyond that, to watch both the individuals who volunteered and who worked for Big Brothers/Big Sisters energetically interact with these children truly brought a smile to my face. This was a showcase of what the JLC strives to do – to reach out into our community and touch the lives of both children and adults.

As for the JLC members themselves, it was a wonderful opportunity to help this gracious group of people and we all had a great time playing field games with the kids; my particular favorite was playing with the parachute – I’m really just a six-year-old in a twenty-eight year old body. It was a fantastic chance to meet other JLC members outside of the normal social time before our meetings; I hope I will have the chance to participate in other community shifts to get a sense of the other good works we are doing in the Columbia community. Narrowing down my choices for a placement next year will be difficult!

To end, I was honored at the most recent GMM to be recognized by the members-at-large for volunteering to blog about my provisional year. Thank you for that, as I know that so many JLC members go above and beyond the call of duty and are worthy of recognition as well. I hope my entries serve to give people an idea of how this particular provisional goes through her first year in the JLC.

Post by: Meggie Baker

JLC's Public Affairs Team Hosts First-Ever Lunch with Leaders and Inspires League Members to Get Involved

Last week, more than 50 JLC members poured into headquarters for a "power lunch" with a distinguished panel of female leaders representing the Midlands for JLC's first-ever Lunch with Leaders event presented by the Public Affairs Team with support of the Education and Development Committee. The theme for the discussion focused on the League's new healthy children focus as well as how the League can advocate for these issues.

The panel was comprised of female elected officials from different levels of government, including SC House Representative Joan Brady (District 78); SC House Representative Laurie Funderburk (District 52); Richland County Councilwoman Val Hutchinson (District 9); Columbia City Councilwoman Tameika Isaac Devine (At Large); Cindy Smith, Chair of Lexington County District 1 School Board; and Dr. Stephanie Burgess, Chair of Richland County District II School Board.

The women shared how they first got involved with politics as well as their professional and personal backgrounds and then delved into discussion about the issues they see facing children in South Carolina.
Rep. Brady talked about the Joint Legislative and Citizens Commission on Children for which she serves as Vice Chair and how it has held public forums across the state to get in put as it develops its 2012 legislative agenda. Some of the startling statistics the Commission has uncovered include the need for immunizations for under insured children, combating the rising epidemic of youth depression, and of course tackling the ever present problem of poverty.

Rep. Funderburk focused on nutrition and mentioned the farm to school bill and initiative to improve vending machine offerings in public schools. Councilwoman Hutchinson strongly asserted that the success of our state depends on empowering middle school aged girls so that they do not fall into the cycle of teenage pregnancy. Councilwoman Devine echoed the nutrition concerns and also spoke to the status of children with mental health issues in the state and how more funding and facilities are greatly needed. Cindy Smith addressed the childhood obesity epidemic mentioning programs in place in Lexington to get kids eating healthy and moving. And Dr. Burgess brought up the issue of interpersonal violence and how parents need to have a stronger role to help guide the next generation.

All of the panelists agreed that women bring something extra to the table in terms of political leadership. Women are more attuned to issues affecting children and families and more focused on the next generation. They encouraged the League to engage with the Commission on Children as well as with local, city, county and state officials representing the Midlands to let them know about the important work we do in the community.
In their final remarks, they offered advice explaining how we shouldn't be afraid to get involved or offer our opinions because in the words of Rep. Brady, "the rooster might crow, but the hen delivers!"

Due to the positive response and interest in this event there are plans underway to offer similar Lunch with Leaders events later this year. Stay tuned for details.

Post submitted by: Emily Brady

Why I Joined The Junior League of Columbia: A Provisional's Perspective

If someone asked me why I joined the Junior League of Columbia three months ago, I would have said one thing: "My mom is in a league in my hometown and she wanted me to join." I suspect a few of the other provisionals and actives might have joined the league for the same or similar reason. But it's a true statement! My mother is a Sustainer in Florence, South Carolina, where I was born and raised. My mom, in fact, was President of her league when I was growing up. I distinctly remember listening to the women on her board laughing in the living room of our house during their meetings. These women ended up being some of my mother's best friends in town.

But, just over one month into my provisional year at the JLC, my answer has changed. Now, if someone asks me why I joined, here's what I'd say:

"Well, my mother was in the league, but I really enjoy being surrounded by other woman who share a vision to improve themselves and the greater community of Columbia."

This sounds very "sound-bite"-ish, I realize, but its true – so far, I've met fantastic woman from all over Columbia who are behind the League's vision, mission, and opportunities for us to grow. I hope that I can take this provisional year and really use it to my advantage – get active in various areas of the League to see how it all operates, ask questions, and figure out where I fit in with the Junior League of Columbia. I hope that everyone in the provisional class this year will be able to see the benefits and the joys of being involved with the League. In the short time I've been involved, my outlook has already changed! Plus, now I have some new friends to hang out with during the week.

By: Meggie Baker

JLC Ladies Enjoy an Evening at Pout!

Every once in a while the ladies of the Junior League of Columbia take time out to pamper themselves! Last night proved such a time. Provisionals and Actives mingled while enjoying sips and snacks at Pout on Devine Street.

Some took advantage of having their makeup done professionally...

 While others perused the many products at Pout.

Because my friends and I wanted to make sure everything was safe to eat, we hung very close to the snack table. Wouldn't you?! Look how good!

 Throughout the night, door prizes were given out to the lucky person whose name was drawn, but the sweet ladies at Pout didn't want anyone to go home empty handed. Before heading out, each lady  recieved one of these...

Stuffed with sample lotions, bath fizzes, perfumes and lipstick, these gift bags were the perfect touch to the end of a great night. Thank you so much to Pout for hosting the Junior League of Columbia. We appreciate your graciousness and hospitality!