Junior Forum, Inc.

The mission of Junior Forum, Inc. is to support member chapters in achieving their goals and promote the growth of the organization.  Junior Forum Inc. has nine member chapters across the state of Texas.

Although differences exist between the chapters, the overall purpose of Junior Forum is to promote volunteerism among women by serving in our communities in areas related to children, families and senior adults. Each chapter organizes annual fundraisers to provide financial assistance and create awareness of the needs in our local communities. Funds that are raised are distributed to chapter and/or to local organizations that demonstrate need and comply with the mission and purpose of Junior Forum.

Junior Forum originated in Houston in 1946. In postwar Houston, many young women were seeking to broaden their horizons through service work and new friendships. The stage was set for the development of Junior Forum. It began through a common bond of interest in community service and five young women met with Mrs. Roundtree, as their counselor, to form the Junior Department of the Women’s Forum. These five ladies, our founders, Mrs. Searcy Bracewell, Mrs. Carl B. Cooper (HJF’s first president and still living), Mrs. Claude DeHart, Mrs. Thomas L. Royce and Mrs. Charles C. Weige, served as the first officers. In March 1946, twenty-two young women gathered for the first meeting where Western Union blanks were used to record their first minutes.

In January 1947, the new group became an independent organization known as the Houston Junior Forum, electing to work in the Hispanic community. To raise funds to support their projects, the members sold newspapers and held a frontier dance. On December 17, 1947, the Houston Junior Forum opened a library where volunteers taught English.

From that small beginning, the Forum has now grown significantly. Chapters now exist in Austin, Baytown, Cypress-Woodlands, Dallas, Georgetown Area, Houston, Pasadena-Bay Area, Nacogdoches and San Antonio.

Each group is a nonprofit service organization composed of women dedicated to serving their community. These women have not only given thousands of hours to service, but have also provided much needed funds for special causes. The history of this organization has a bright record of achievement, accomplished by the talented, energetic women whose goals are to improve and enhance the lives of others and help make our communities a better place to live.