By Sarah Connelly

Volunteerism and strengthening communities through service is the heart of the Junior League of Boston. With many placement opportunities centered on the potential of women, Junior League members strive to take action and make a difference. Many of our members go beyond, volunteering for charities or programs that mean the most to them. Our recent Sarah Lawrence Award winner, Melissa Lee Alexander, is one example of such a member. Here, we highlight several other Junior League of Boston members who have experiences volunteering in addition to their JL Boston placements:

Amy Bucher

Years in the League: 7

“As my year serving as VP of Communications winds down, I am becoming more active in my neighborhood Friends of the Boston Public Library program. In 2015, I raised over $20,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute by running the Boston Marathon. This year, I’ll be raising money for Citizens for Juvenile Justice by running the Falmouth Road Race. I also donate my time regularly by holding mentoring sessions for junior professionals interested in working in my field (design psychology), because it’s somewhat unusual and I remember how difficult it was to find guidance when I was starting out.” 

Sarah Connelly

Years in the League: 1 year

“Currently, I am a mentor at Merrimack College (my alma mater) where I guide a group of freshmen students through their first year of college and assist them in resume writing, interview prep and class selection. This August, I will be running the Falmouth Road Race on the National MS Society team. I will be raising funds towards cutting-edge research to end this cruel disease.”

Pendery Haines

Years in the League: 9 years

“In addition to my work with the League, I am a member of the Jeremiah Program Boston Community Board of Trustees where I serve as their secretary and a member of the finance committee. Currently I’m working on an event that will connect single people through a hands-on landscaping service project in the Jeremiah HQ backyard. I am also a state chair for the Middlebury College Alumni Admissions program where I interview high school students applying to my alma mater.”

Pamela Lynch

Years in the League: 9 years and past JL Boston President

“Currently I’m active on Training Council, passionate about advocating for women through our advocacy initiative, support JL Boston’s Endowment for Her (message me if you’d like to hear more about joining with a multi year gift!), and have given input at the AJLI level on the Seat at the Table Task Force. I’m on the Board of Youth Villages New England and WPI Alumni Association (alma mater). For Youth Villages I’m on the Development committee and Governance committee. Professionally I am a member of WRISE (Women in Renewable Energy) and mentor in STEM fields, especially women. I’m also an advocate of the Wind Industry’s new industry standard, which will improve quality, reliability and keep pricing competitive for wind power. I recently spoke about this at the American Wind Power Show. In the past I fostered dogs and I used to be a avid runner, so I have run for many charities including raising $4K+ for Girls on the Run in 2014 for Chicago Marathon. My family participated in the Congenital Heart Walk last month, supporting one of our fellow JL Boston members who was chairing this year’s walk. I love supporting causes supporting girls/women, health, and the environment.”

Susan Moussalli

Years in the League: 8 years

“I am a mentor with Cambridge School Volunteers, an organization with support from the Cambridge Agassiz Harvard Fund, that places a handful of Cambridge Rindge and Latin Students in mentor/mentee relationship with STEM professionals on a weekly basis.  It’s a great opportunity to engage with young girls interested in STEM, the way adults engaged me when I was younger and the way that led me to where I am in with a career in Tech today.”

Briana O’Neill

Years in the League: 4 years

“Currently, I am the State Advocate for Education for the American Speech Language Hearing Association & Massachusetts Speech Language Hearing Association. The mission of the SEALs network is to enhance and perpetuate the advocacy, leadership, and clinical management skills of school-based ASHA members at the state and local levels to influence administrative and public policy decisions that affect the delivery of speech-language pathology and audiology services in school settings.”

Elizabeth Tyminski

Years in the League: 20 years Active, currently serving on AJLI Board, and past JL Boston President

“Currently I volunteer for my alma mater Smith College doing fundraising work, I am the Treasurer for the College Club Scholarship Fund which gives scholarships to Boston high school students and volunteer on the Nominating and Finance committee for the College Club, and I am running the Falmouth Road Race for Boston Children’s Hospital again this year. I also spend my days working for a non-profit that educates professionals, students, and the public about engineering and land surveying in the natural and built environment.”