Shelley Grant Julian: President of the Junior League of Charleston

A The Junior League of Charleston Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, developing the potential of women and improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

Q: How long have you been president?

Q: In a nutshell, what is the Junior League?A: Six months. The term is June 1 to May 31 annually.

Q: What would people be surprised to learn about the league?

A: The members come from all walks of life with many talents, skills and gifts; they get their hands dirty with hands-on activities serving the community; they provide personal volunteer time and hours for all the projects the organization supports financially; and they are passionate about making a positive community impact toward homelessness and hunger. This is just the beginning of all the league does.

Q: The Junior League was founded in New York in 1901 by a debutante. How has the perception of the league changed over the years?

A. You mention the founder -- she was Mary Harriman -- and I think she said it best when explaining the concept behind the Junior League: "to put to good use the opportunities afforded ... by the advantages of time and means." Harriman's concept initially expanded to 80 members, including her friend, Eleanor Roosevelt. This worthy step has since evolved to include over 161,000 members in four countries.

Since that time, the demographics of our organization have changed. Today, over 75 percent of all league members work full time outside the home. We are a much more diverse group of women of varying ages, nationalities and educational backgrounds. The perception of the value of membership has changed. Women see the league as a training opportunity to learn skills they can use in their lives ranging from leadership to marketing to fundraising to community service. This past year, the very first Junior League -- the league in New York -- elected its first African-American president, Gena Lovett, CFO of a Manhattan hedge fund. I love the way she said it: "I would be telling you a tale if I said we don't do lunch. I do lunch, and I also run a billion-dollar business." In our home league in Charleston, we have doctors, lawyers, sales executives, educators, community leaders, moms and small-business owners. The perception is still there, but it is simply not the reality.

Q: How could an interested woman become a member?

A: E-mail me or log on to our Web site at www.jl charleston.org and contact us; or e-mail the league office at office@jlcharleston.org. We have a recruitment committee that meets with women interested in membership to introduce them to the many wonderful opportunities the league offers and how to become a member.

Q: How and when did you become interested in helping others?

A: My father was involved in the community when I was a child. I think he was a huge influence very early on, and I just migrated in that direction naturally. My first job out of school was eight years with the West Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church, which set the foundation for the future.

Q: In the 21 years you've worked as national sales manager for Charleston Place hotel, what has been the most entertaining experience?

A: In February 1991 ... the Prince of Wales held a conference hosted by Charleston Place. I was assigned as his on-site house manager working with his valet and butler and was introduced to Prince Charles upon his departure. The entire experience from planning to the day-by-day was most entertaining!

Q: Your daughters just moved out of the house. What's it like being an empty-nester?

A: It's a "happy for them and their current stage in life" adjustment, an exciting "what shall we do with all of this time" opportunity for reflection and goal setting for us as a couple. The timing is perfect for me personally. While making this adjustment, I am surrounded by over 900 amazing, passionate, engaged league women -- what a gift and blessing!

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: When I'm not finding excuses to get the family together, I enjoy yoga, fiction, plants and gardening -- a back-seat activity now about to blossom! I am a bit old-fashioned and love "taking care of a home." Being reared by a mother who was a natural Betty Crocker, I am a Susie Homemaker at heart and love it!

Q: Do you have a signature dish?

A: I have a few signature soups, a signature vegetable omelet and a bean salad. Being a Dr. Ann (Kulze) groupie, everything starts with the vegetables.

Q: What would you do with a million dollars?

A: Provide a housing complex for homeless and struggling individuals and families trying to get on their feet; assist them with skills and training needed to break the cycles that hold them back; and implement a community-service pay-it-forward program for these individuals to help others on their journey.