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The milestone year launches October 19 with a City of Coral Gables proclamation, an Emmy Award–winning film screening, and a citywide Centennial exhibition with panel discussions.
The Junior League of Miami (JLM) is kicking off its 100th anniversary with a citywide celebration in partnership with cultural institutions blending history, culture, and community dialogue. The year-long programming begins Sunday, October 19, 2025, with a City of Coral Gables proclamation honoring the League’s century of women’s leadership, service, and advocacy; followed by a panel discussion featuring Miami Historian Dr. Paul George alongside JLM Honorary Centennial Chair Julia Bianchi; and a screening of the Emmy Award-winning documentary Our Miami: The Magic City.
In partnership with the Frost Science Museum, HistoryMiami, Books & Books, and Westchester Library, JLM will present a traveling Centennial exhibition paired with panel discussions examining Miami’s evolving needs, historic contributions, and modern-day impact. Running through May 30, 2026, the series will highlight the League’s legacy and its ongoing role as a policy voice in Miami.
Founded in 1926, JLM has helped establish community mainstays like the original Miami Science Museum, launched programs for survivors of domestic violence, and funded nonprofits addressing food insecurity, literacy, and homelessness. Its Centennial exhibitions at prominent cultural venues honor this history while underscoring the League’s continued relevance in shaping Miami’s future.
Julia Bianchi, who is also a JLM Past President (2001-2002), reflected “The Centennial is a testament to the dedication and vision of generations of women who rolled up their sleeves to make Miami a better place. The League’s impact is woven into the city’s history, and its future will be built on the same spirit of collaboration and action.”
Highlights of JLM’s Centennial programming include:
- Sunday, October 19, 2025 – City of Coral Gables Proclamation, Film Screening & Panel Discussion: Official recognition of the League’s 100 years of service, followed by a screening of JLM’s Emmy-Award winning film Our Miami: Our Magic City and an expert-led panel discussion.
- Centennial Exhibitions + Panel Discussions: Ongoing displays at Frost Science Museum, HistoryMiami, Books & Books, and Westchester Library, paired with forums on women’s leadership, community health, and civic engagement.
- Bus Tour + Encore Pop-Up Shop: A nod to JLM’s historic Encore Shop, a thrift store the League operated from 1932 to 2004. The pop-up will showcase curated vintage finds and celebrate over 70 years of service through this beloved program.
- Centennial Done-in-a-Days (DIAD): A signature JLM initiative featuring one-day volunteer projects that fund and support local organizations in the League’s focus areas. These high-impact events address family violence prevention and the health, education, and welfare of women and children. Past efforts have included creating a meditation garden at Lotus House and establishing the Beehive Module at the Miami Museum of Science.
- April 24, 2026 – Women Who Make a Difference Gala at the Rusty Pelican: Honoring outstanding women who exemplify the League’s mission of advancing women’s leadership and meaningful community impact
Since 2023, JLM has awarded between $150,000 and $200,000 annually in community grants to organizations addressing food insecurity, literacy, and homelessness – totaling approximately $425,000 to date, with another $100,000 expected this year. Signature programs such as the Inn Transition residences for survivors of domestic violence, The Centennial Futures Scholarship for residents to pursue education, and its advocacy role in the Florida State Public Affairs Committee continue to serve as models for collaboration.
“For 100 years, the Junior League of Miami has brought together women committed to building a stronger Miami through hands-on service, advocacy, and leadership training,” said Michelle Vidal, 2025 President of the Junior League of Miami. “This Centennial year is not only a time to honor our past, but to inspire the next generation to lead and serve in ways that meet today’s challenges. Our mission is as relevant today as it was in 1925 – to train and empower women who do a world of good.”
Media are invited to cover Centennial events, attend panel discussions, interview League leadership, and explore archival materials documenting a century of service.
About the Junior League of Miami
The Junior League of Miami, 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. For 100 years, the League has been a driving force for change in Miami-Dade County – founding, funding, and partnering on programs that address critical community needs. Since 1926, it has been instrumental in developing lasting community programs and advocating for issues affecting women and children in Miami-Dade County. For more information, visit www.jlmiami.org or call 305.443.0160
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