Members of the JLB 2024-25 Board of Directors and Management Team. Left to Right - Taylor Gari, Diana Deichert, Heather Scholes, Amy Berg, Jamie Powell Schwartz, Kelly Shine, Melanie O’Sullivan, Jennifer Carella, Beth Atsalis, Photo by Narrative View Media.
By Nadia Mondésir, VP of Communications, Junior League of Bronxville
July 10, 2024: The Junior League of Bronxville (JLB) is proud to have celebrated its 76th Year. As has been done for years, the ceremonial transition of leadership took place on May 30, 2024, with the passing of the gavel, and the JLB honored its impressive recipients of the Women of Distinction Awards.
Throughout the year, the League’s leadership and members remained committed to the JLB’s vision of “Mobilizing Women to Ignite & Inspire Community Change.” Outgoing 2023-2024 President Jennifer Carella shared, “This JLB year, we embodied our mission as we continued our impactful outreach work in the community while also training women leaders."
The following women were selected as recipients of the League’s annual recognitions:
President’s Award: Chrissy Martino-Rindler, 2023-2024 Treasurer, was chosen as the recipient of the President’s Award for being a faithful steward of the League’s finances through her many years of service.
Sustained Leadership Award: Amy Berg, 2023-2024 Community Outreach VP, received this award as selected by the Active members of the League. Since joining in 2019, she has served as the Joyful Closet Co-Chair and Newsletters Chair and is an ever-present leader at our outreach events.
Sustainer of the Year Award: Mary Marvin was selected for her impact on the community and the JLB. Mary was part of this year's inaugural Sustainer Advisory Council and was pivotal in engaging our Sustainer members.
First Year Active Award: Brigitte Birrer received this award, as selected by the Active members. She participated in the 2022-2023 Provisional Program and has stepped up in every sense since then, including in her role as Fundraising Project Manager.
Eight members received B.E.M.T.Y. awards. These awards' titles are rooted in the towns the JLB represents: Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe & Yonkers. The span of the League is great, but what is even more significant are the members that hail from these communities. Members could nominate a peer - someone they felt deserved recognition. The following women were the shining stars whom the League was lucky to count as their own in a year of celebration and new initiatives:
-Alison Brondeau
-MaryAnne Denniston
-Annie McArdle
-Angela Neil
-Michelle Schoulder
-Jenna Shen
-Aubri Veneruso
-Christine White
After all these women have accomplished, the JLB cannot wait to see what they contribute in the years to come!
A notable element of the Annual Meeting agenda is when the Board of Directors votes on the eligibility for membership in the Provisional program.
Eleven individuals attended a fall recruitment event this year and completed a full year of outreach, fundraising, and operational activities.
Please join the JLB in congratulating its newest Active members: Laura Burns, Caitlin Clarke, Ashley Del Vecchio, Jennifer Gerhard, Elaine Harris Whalen, Lindsay Kimble Carney, Kelly Patterson, Anthea Sale, Elizabeth Sheehan, Mary Sophocles, and Diane Turner.
Finally, a true definition of dedication is that a JLB member must serve at least seven years of Active service before the League allows its members to move into Sustainer status - something more akin to an alumnae status at a college or university. The JLB was honored to induct the following eight new Sustainers effective July 1, 2024: Janice Baio, Autumn Foley, Grace Gilmer, Rachel Lin, Lisa McGovern, Mariana Mingo, Michelle Schoulder, and Sessa von Richthofen. These women were pivotal to the League’s success during their Active years and will undoubtedly make their mark in the larger community in the years to come.
After the Annual Meeting, the JLB closed the fiscal and League year on June 30. As the calendar turned to July 1, the League welcomed the newest leader slate. According to incoming 2024-25 President Jamie Powell Schwartz, “With such a dynamic group of leaders who bring their unique talents and perspectives to our organization, The Junior League of Bronxville is well-positioned to have a big community impact in the year ahead.”
The members of the 2024-2025 Board of Directors are:
Jamie Powell Schwartz, President
Kelly Shine, President-Elect
Jennifer Carella, Executive Vice President (VP)
Christine White, Board Secretary
Beth Atsalis, Treasurer
Melanie O’Sullivan, Nominating Chair
Diana Deichert, Sustainer Chair
The members of the 2024-2025 Management Team are:
Jennifer Carella, Executive VP
Nadia Mondésir, Communications VP
Amy Berg, Community Outreach VP
Heather Scholes, Finance & Data VP
Taylor Gari, Fundraising VP
Gladys Girimonti, Membership VP
If you are a female resident of or work in Bronxville, Eastchester, Mount Vernon, Tuckahoe, or Yonkers, you are welcome to join the JLB at a free and open-to-all-women informational recruitment event in October in Bronxville. Whether you continue after that or just have a night out with potential new contacts, it is worth an evening’s investment of your time. Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
The Junior League of Bronxville, New York, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. Please visit JLBronxville.org to learn more about the 501(c)(3) organization.
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1993, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not for profit organization administered by a Board of Directors. Its mission is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. The BBC uses the dollars raised in its annual spring solicitation letter to residents to fund the mum, tulip and summer flower plantings downtown and at traffic intersections, as well as the summer hanging baskets. Every few years the group spearheads such major endeavors as the renovation of Leonard Morange Square on the west side of the railroad tracks and the beautification of the Lawrence Hospital traffic circle, which included the addition of plants and the building of the fountain that now makes a gracious western portal to our town. The BBC also works with other civic groups to monitor the aesthetics of retail signage, the consistency of sidewalk materials, and litter and graffiti. During Beautify Bronxville Week, the BBC sponsors a poetry reading and works with Scout groups on the annual village clean-up.
Bronxville Beautification Council
PO Box 127
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-6123
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
There are several Boy Scout Troops in Bronxville, including Troops 1, 2, 4, and 5.
Bronxvillle Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. Anyone who is interested in the Bronxville and its history can become a member; varying levels of membership are available.
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
PO Box 989
Bronxville, New York 10708
http://bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org/
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. The Foundation raises money each year through donations from school families, community members, and alumni, among others.These contributions fund grants that provide cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and curriculum and other resources that are beyond the scope of public school funding.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0515
https://www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org/
Bronxville Women’s Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
www.bronxvillewomensclub.org
Bronxville Youth Council
The Bronxville Youth Council provides volunteer and leadership opportunities for high school students in the village of Bronxville.
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0500 ext 1789
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library’s regular budget and perform other services.
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The mission of the Rotary Club of Bronxville is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster (1) the development of friendships within the community as an opportunity for service, (2) high ethical standards in business and professions, (3) the application of the ideal of service of each member to his personal and business and community life and (4) the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship.”
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment, to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”