How the Junior League of Lexington began its service to the community
Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history — some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.
May 10, 1924 — For more than 100 years, the Junior League of Lexington has made an impact in Central Kentucky.
In 1924, a group of 10 women gathered together to create a group of concerned citizens who would change the face of Lexington.
Led by Mabel Marks in 1924, the Junior League of Lexingtonbecame the community service group it is today.
During its first few years, the group grew from 10 to 70 members, and by 1933, numbered nearly 100. Their first project was to open the Baby Home in 1927, which would be turned over to the city and become a children’s home.
During the group’s formative years, its biggest fundraiser came from the Lexington Herald where the group would take over one edition each year and write, edit and sell the advertising.
Now the organization has 156 members, and more than 60 provisional members. Members must be between 23 and 39 during their provisional year that they spend in training and in service to the community. After a year as a provisional member, they can be admitted to the League. More than 300 women in Lexington are sustaining members, or alumni, of the group.
In 1937, the Junior League started the Lexington Junior League Charity Horse Show. Originally, the operating budget was about $500 and drew a crowd of about 5,000, organizers said.
Now, 88 years later, the operational budget for the horse show is around $900,000 with a regular attendance of about 30,000 people.
The organization also helped to create the Chrysalis House, Triangle Park, Ampersand (formerly known as the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center), the Lexington Alzheimer’s Association, the American Saddlebred Museum, the Explorium, Bluegrass Care Navigators and the UK Children’s Miracle Network Telethon.
Part of its community service is also maintaining the house and grounds of the Bodley-Bullock house since 1984. Once the home of a prominent Lexington family, the house now serves as the organization’s headquarters, and as an event and tour location.
Have a question or story idea related to Lexington’s 250-year history? Let us know at 250LexKy@gmail.com.