What’s in a Name? By Ellen VanDine

Some of us have never met Barbara Forster but Barbara embodies the Junior League of Minneapolis’ commitment to civic engagement and advocacy. Barbara is celebrated as an outstanding member of the Junior League of Minneapolis, who has used her talents and resources to improve the social and economic conditions of others. Throughout her career, Barbara was a highly active civic leader in the Minneapolis community and beyond, leading by example and holding numerous volunteer leadership roles. Her list of roles is extensive and far-reaching, from the medical community to financial and educational systems. Visit our press release here.

Rising to the Occasion

How can one accomplish a level of civic engagement that we read in newspapers, on podcasts, or hear about in the news? Answer: Find Your Niche. Oh no, there’s that eye-roll worthy phrase. So, in the Minnesotan spirit, let’s say…Find Your North Star. 

With all the successful women involved in the League and in our lives, it can be challenging to find exactly where you fit in or how to even make that first step in discovering your passion. At the Legacy of Leadership awards ceremony held at the Minneapolis Club on October 2, 2019, Barbara said she took advantage of her opportunities in the League, learning “how to engage with other members, build an organization, and manage a nonprofit.” Soon, Barbara was sought after around the community for her ability, reputation, and expertise. Please view this video for more details about Barbara’s powerful engagement within the community

One of the community projects Barbara became involved in after her active years in the League was fundraising and advocating for the Center for Victims of Torture, an international nonprofit dedicated to healing survivors of torture and violent conflict. Peter Dross, Director of Development at CVT, briefly spoke about Barbara and her “full-throttle approach” to all aspects of the organization’s advocacy programs. She played a major role in collaboration within the community through fundraising and program development to raise the organization’s visibility,  making CVT one of the largest organizations of its kind in the world. In her acceptance speech, Barbara remarked that she genuinely believes everyone has the ability to engage in and contribute to their community on some level, even if they don’t think that they are capable or have something significant to offer.

Call to Action

Henry David Thoreau said “It is not enough to be busy. So are the ants. The question is: What are we busy about?” Are we involved with things which fulfill us and that we enjoy? How can we as members of the Junior League share our knowledge and passion to make our own mark on the community and beyond, just like Barbara? The goal is to feel fulfilled in your life’s work, but more importantly, to share your knowledge and experience with those who are without and in need. Listed below are some opportunities to get started on your commitments for the year and to begin making your mark in the community through the League!

Be on the lookout for future opportunities to engage with Center for Victims of Torture.

Volunteer in the month of October in honor of Barbara’s leadership example in the Junior League October community calendar.