Tidewater on the Halfshell: Fine Virginia Recipes (VG)

In 1901, in New York City, Mary Harriman, together with 85 other women, founded The Junior League for the Promotion of Settlement Movements; this was later shortened to The Junior League as their mission broadened and other cities organized Leagues. (As for the name, because Mary and the founding group were young women, they were referred to as "junior women" to distinguish them from older members of New York society. Hence, the first name used by the organization emphasized the women's "junior" status and their work). Early League projects included the establishment of orphanages, programs in the arts, dental health for children, home nursing, and parks and playgrounds.

The Junior League of Norfolk-Virginia Beach was first Junior League in the Commonwealth of Virginia and the 75th League in the United States, with 10 founding members.