Each year, the Junior League of Annapolis recognizes members and community partners who go above and beyond in service, leadership, and commitment to making our community stronger. From hands-on volunteerism to inspiring teamwork, these awards celebrate the people who truly embody the spirit of the League.

We are proud to recognize this year’s award recipients and thank them for the countless ways they support JLA and the Anne Arundel County community.

President’s Award

Also known as the “Just Do It!” Award, the President’s Award honors members in each membership category who demonstrated exceptional volunteer service throughout the League year.

Provisional Members

• Erica Lucas
• Gabrielle Nyingcho

Active Members

• Lauren Baldwin
• Jessica Brown

Sustainer Members

• Anne McDonough
• Heidi Schmidt

Founder’s Award

Presented in honor of the first President of the Junior League of Annapolis, the Founder’s Award recognizes Active members who exemplify commitment, service, and the spirit of voluntarism while inspiring others through their dedication.

This year’s recipients are:

• Ede Anderson
• Crystal Staples

Janus Award

Named after the Greek god Janus, who symbolized both reflection and forward vision, the Janus Award honors members whose extraordinary contributions will help sustain the future of JLA.

This year’s recipients are:

• Nina Arend
• Stacie Spragins
• Charis McGrady

Jennifer Summers Barrett Award

The Jennifer Summers Barrett Award honors the legacy of Jenn Barrett, whose passion for literacy, children, and community impact continues to inspire the League today. This award recognizes a member who reflects Jenn’s dedication to improving the lives of others, especially children in our local community.

This year’s recipient is:

• Rhonda Caldwell-Dove

Women Building Better Communities Award

This award recognizes a committee that demonstrated exceptional teamwork, collaboration, and support for one another while advancing the mission of the Junior League of Annapolis.

This year’s recipient is:

• Community Impact

Introducing the Jennifer Summers-Barrett Scholarship

This year, the Junior League of Annapolis proudly launched the new Jennifer Summers-Barrett Scholarship, created to support young women entering or attending Anne Arundel Community College. Scholarship recipients are selected through the Charting Careers selection process.

Inspired by Jennifer’s passion for supporting children, education, and opportunity within our community, the scholarship is designed to help students cover gap expenses and educational costs that might otherwise stand in the way of completing their studies. Each recipient received a $500 scholarship award.

We are excited to recognize this year’s inaugural scholarship recipients:

• Taurina Sims is finishing her first year at Anne Arundel Community College, where she is majoring in biology. She plans to transfer to a four-year program to pursue a career in medicine.
• Armani Queen will complete her associate’s degree in computer science in May 2027 and plans to transfer to the University of Maryland, Baltimore County to pursue her bachelor’s degree.

We are honored to support these students as they continue their educational journeys and look forward to seeing all they accomplish in the future. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients. Your dedication, leadership, and service continue to strengthen both our League and the community we proudly serve.

Sparkle: A Celebration!

$50 per ticket
May 7, 2026 6:30pm – 8:30pm
The Metropolitan Kitchen and Lounge, 169 West St, Annapolis, MD 21401

Join the Junior League of Annapolis for Sparkle, an unforgettable evening of shimmer, celebration, and connection as we toast the close of another incredible League year. While Sparkle supports League operations and sustains the work we do in our community, it is so much more than a fundraiser. It’s a joyful celebration of the women, partnerships, and impact that define our year.

Slip into your sparkliest attire — sequins, metallics, glitter, and glam are all welcome — and meet us at Metropolitan Kitchen & Lounge on West Street for a night filled with dancing, networking, and celebration. Enjoy a live DJ, a festive photobooth, and heavy appetizers as you connect with fellow members, friends, partners, and supporters.

Let’s shine together, celebrate our collective accomplishments, and sparkle our way into the year ahead. Plus, this is a great event for women interested in joining the League to meet our members!

REGISTER HERE!

Media Contact:
Jessica Cicoria, Communications Director
Junior League of Annapolis
Communications@jlannapolis.org

Junior League of Annapolis Hosts 2026 Galentine’s Day Brunch Celebrating Women in Leadership 

Annapolis, MD — The Junior League of Annapolis (JLA) will host Galentines 2026: A Celebration of Community on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Annapolis, bringing together community members to celebrate the power of women supporting women.

This year’s Galentines brunch will honor two outstanding leaders—Dr. Erin Snell, Executive Director of Charting Careers, and Dr. Shawn Ashworth, Founder and President of Food 4 Thought Community Outreach Services, Inc.—with the Junior League of Annapolis Leadership Awards in recognition of their lasting impact on equity, education, and community well-being across Anne Arundel County.

Dr. Ashworth is a retired Anne Arundel County Public Schools educator with more than 31 years of service and a licensed professional counselor whose work centers on food security, wellness, and family support. Through Food 4 Thought Community Outreach Services, she leads multiple initiatives addressing food insecurity and community health. Dr. Ashworth serves on numerous county boards and currently chairs the Community Reinvestment Review Commission, helping direct resources into underserved communities.

Dr. Snell is a respected educator and nonprofit leader who currently serves as Executive Director of Charting Careers, a youth-serving organization that inspires young people to discover their potential and reach their goals. She also co-leads The Collaborative Supporting Youth, a coalition dedicated to advancing equity and collaboration so all youth in Anne Arundel County can thrive.

The keynote address will be delivered by AliceAnne Loftus, author, founder, and CEO of Leading Lady Coaching. Attendees will enjoy a breakfast buffet, local vendors, Valentine-themed activities, and meaningful opportunities for networking and connection. Proceeds from the fundraiser support the Junior League of Annapolis’ mission to advance women’s leadership and improve the community through trained volunteers and effective action.

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, February 8, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Location: Crowne Plaza Annapolis

Tickets: $80 | Registration closes January 31.

Register: https://vms.ajli.org/?nd=p_vms_registration_event_detail&registration_id=184614

For more information, visit www.jlannapolis.org or follow the Junior League of Annapolis on social media.

There’s nothing more powerful than women supporting women—and that’s exactly what Galentines 2026 is all about.

Join the Junior League of Annapolis for a feel-good, do-good morning filled with connection, inspiration, and celebration as we gather to honor outstanding women leaders in our community. This year’s Galentines brunch is equal parts meaningful and fun: great conversation, great food, and a reminder of why community matters.

Guests will enjoy a delicious breakfast buffet, hear from special guests and keynote speaker AliceAnne Loftus, and celebrate recipients of the Junior League of Annapolis Leadership Awards. You’ll also have the opportunity to connect with like-minded women, explore local vendors and resources, and take part in festive Valentine-making activities—because yes, joy is on the agenda too.

This event is more than a fundraiser. It’s a chance to step away from the everyday hustle, recharge your cup, and celebrate the women making a real impact across Anne Arundel County.

Event Details

? Sunday, February 8, 2026

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

? Crowne Plaza Annapolis

? $80 per ticket

? Registration closes February 3

Your ticket includes:

• Breakfast buffet & non-alcoholic beverages
• Cash bar available
• Local vendors and resources
• Onsite parking

Space is limited, so don’t wait.

Grab your seat, bring a friend, and join us as we celebrate leadership, service, and the power of community—Galentines style.

? Register here:

https://vms.ajli.org/?nd=p_vms_registration_event_detail&registration_id=184614

Join us for a Kendra Scott Give Back Event organised by the Fund Development Committee. Come and enjoy a cupcake, glass of bubbles, shopping and socializing with fellow members. Kendra Scott will be giving back 20% of all sales to the Junior League. Just in time for Christmas!  Membership points available: REGISTER HERE.

Please invite friends and family. Email treasurer@jlannapolis.org to register any guests so we can give Kendra Scott an accurate headcount.

If you cannot make it in person you can buy online Friday 12/05 and Saturday 12/06 using code GIVEBACK-KOADN at checkout. 

Members, please join us for our October GMM at the Wiley H Bates Legacy Center. Social starts at 6:30, Meeting starts at 7:00.

We will welcome Lindsay Livingston, Director of Communications, Outreach, & Advocacy Programs at the Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families.  The Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Health, is a proud member of the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.  Both agencies provide training on identifying and supporting service members, veterans, and their families within our communities.

In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we will hear from our very own Dr. Dawna Dilworth, MD, MPH who will share valuable information and insights on breast health.

Register Here: (https://vms.ajli.org/?nd=vms_registration_event_detail&registration_id=148849)

Let’s come together wearing pink to promote awareness and honor all those whose lives have been touched by breast cancer.

See you there!

Join us for the Great Spaghetti Social, happening Monday, November 3, 2025, at Maggiano’s in Annapolis. Bring your friends, your partner, and community members for delicious food, fun, and philanthropy — all in support of JLA’s mission to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training.

Together, we’ll raise funds that directly support JLA’s programs improving the lives of women and children in Anne Arundel County.

Tickets: $55

BUY YOUR TICKET HERE!

We’d love your help to make this fundraiser a success! Contributing a silent auction item or becoming an event sponsor is not only a great way to support the League, but also an opportunity to meet your financial points and showcase your business to the wider community. The full request with details is attached — every contribution makes a difference!

See the sponsorship deck HERE.

To sign up to be a sponsor: CLICK HERE

Over the summer, Leigh-Ann Haas (At-Large Director)) and Alissa Mwenelupembe (Member Experience Committee Chair) attended the second annual Organizational Development Training (ODT) hosted by the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI) in Chicago, IL.  

What is ODT?

ODTs (Organizational Development Trainings) are leadership development workshops offered through AJLI that give Junior League members hands-on training in important areas like team building, strategic planning, and community impact. These workshops enhance the League’s impact while also offering transferable skills for both personal and professional development.

What we learned:

Over the course of three days, league members from across the country participated in sessions focused on member engagement, recruitment and marketing.  The message shared by AJLI staff throughout the conference was that member engagement and recruitment is the responsibility for all league members.  The Junior League of Annapolis (JLA) has the ability to reach many more women in the community through league membership. Junior League of Annapolis members can support these efforts in a variety of ways.  

• Wear Junior League branded items when attending events around the community.  This may prompt women who are not familiar with JLA to want to learn more. https://www.bonfire.com/store/jla/
• Invite connections to attend JLA activities like the Galentine’s Brunch.  Events like this are a great way for women to get to know the league before deciding to join.
• Post about your experience with JLA on your social media.  By highlighting the fun and meaningful events that you engage in with JLA, you will help to share JLA with a broader audience. 

The Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. and Association for Junior Leagues International provide many opportunities for members to learn, grow their skills and connect with like-minded women.  

Are you looking to grow as a leader, give back to AACo, and connect with like-minded, driven women? JLA is a great place to start! Click JOIN to learn more about becoming a member.

About the Junior League of Annapolis:
Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. It reaches out to all women of any race, religion, or national origin who demonstrate an interest in and a commitment to voluntarism.https://www.jlannapolis.org