 The
mission of Junior
Forums Inc.
is to support member chapters
in achieving their goals and promote the growth of the organization.
Junior Forum Inc. has nine member chapters across the state
of Texas.
Although differences exist between
the chapters, the overall purpose of Junior Forum is to
promote volunteerism among women by serving in our communities
in areas related to children, families and senior adults.
Each chapter organizes annual fundraisers to provide financial
assistance and create awareness of the needs in our local
communities. Funds that are raised are distributed to chapter
and/or to local organizations that demonstrate need and
comply with the mission and purpose of Junior Forum.
Junior Forum originated in
Houston in 1946. In postwar Houston, many young
women were seeking to broaden their horizons through service
work and new friendships. The stage was set for the development
of Junior Forum. It began through a common bond of interest
in community service and five young women met with Mrs.
Roundtree, as their counselor, to form the Junior Department
of the Women’s Forum. These five ladies, our founders,
Mrs. Searcy Bracewell, Mrs. Carl B. Cooper (HJF’s
first president and still living), Mrs. Claude DeHart, Mrs.
Thomas L. Royce and Mrs. Charles C. Weige, served as the
first officers. In March 1946, twenty-two young women gathered
for the first meeting where Western Union blanks were used
to record their first minutes.
In January 1947, the new
group became an independent organization known as the Houston
Junior Forum, electing to work in the Hispanic community.
To raise funds to support their projects, the members
sold newspapers and held a frontier dance. On December 17,
1947, the Houston Junior Forum opened a library where volunteers
taught English.
From that small beginning, the Forum has
now grown significantly. Chapters now exist in Austin,
Baytown,
Cypress-Woodlands,
Dallas,
Georgetown Area,
Houston,
Pasadena
Bay Area, Nacodoches
and San
Antonio.
Each group is a nonprofit service organization
composed of women dedicated to serving their community.
These women have not only given thousands of hours to service,
but have also provided much needed funds for special causes.
The history of this organization has a bright record of
achievement, accomplished by the talented, energetic women
whose goals are to improve and enhance the lives of others
and help make our communities a better place to live.
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