The Junior League of Cobb-Marietta (JLCM) is a longstanding force for community engagement in Cobb County. Founded in 1933 as the Marietta Junior Welfare League, it has for nearly a century centered its work on three core pillars: promoting volunteerism, developing women’s leadership, and improving communities through trained volunteer action. These guiding tenets have allowed the League to remain a trusted partner in shaping Cobb County, while also offering generations of women the opportunity to grow as leaders and community advocates.
The organization’s roots date back to the early 1930s, when Marietta’s civic-minded women took up the cause of welfare through volunteer service. In 1976, the league formally affiliated with the Association of Junior Leagues International (AJLI), thereby joining a broader network of leagues worldwide and gaining access to training, support, and shared best practices. This connection expanded the League’s reach and impact, linking local efforts to a global movement of women working for stronger communities.
Over the decades, the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta has founded or contributed to many important community projects. Among them are the Cobb County Youth Museum; the Center for Children & Young Adults; Gate City Nursery; Sheltering Arms Daycare; Cobb County Safety Village; and Cobb Diaper Day. These initiatives stand as lasting reminders of the League’s ability to identify needs and create solutions that continue serving families long after their founding.
As the community has changed, JLCM has evolved too. Today it provides over 300 volunteer hours annually in service to children and families in Cobb County. From mentoring and tutoring to hands-on projects that meet practical needs, members focus on making a visible and personal difference across the county.
In recent years, the league has reintroduced a formal grant-making process; in the 2024-25 year, it awarded $9,500 in grants to local nonprofits addressing critical needs in the region. These grants extend the League’s impact by empowering other organizations to innovate, expand, and strengthen services for residents.
Membership continues to grow and diversify. JLCM emphasizes leadership training for women, offering opportunities to serve, lead, and collaborate with other organizations, civic agencies, and fellow volunteers. Many members carry these skills into workplaces and civic life, with alumni often serving in leadership roles throughout Cobb County and beyond.
Signature events like Serve Up Some Good Pickleball Tournament and mini fundraisers with partners, such as Southern Baked Pie Company, also play a dual role: raising funds and fostering community spirit. They not only support the League’s initiatives but also provide tangible benefits—donations of needed resources and support for local artisans and businesses. These gatherings are celebrations of service and connection, reminding the community that collective goodwill can generate both joy and impact.
Going forward, JLCM’s vision emphasizes being a catalyst for lasting community change. The League aims to build a legacy of service that reaches deeply into the lives of Cobb County children and families. Its future rests on a strong foundation of tradition, while embracing innovation to meet modern challenges.
Key components of this vision include:
· Leadership development: equipping women with skills not only for volunteer work but for civic advocacy, collaboration, and measurable impact.
· Responsive programming: listening to emerging community needs and adapting projects accordingly—whether that’s in child welfare, education, safety, or family services.
· Stronger partnerships: working closely with nonprofits, civic bodies, schools, and other stakeholders in Cobb County to maximize resources and effectiveness.
· Financial sustainability and innovation: through events, fundraising, and grants, ensuring the resources are in place to support ambitious goals.
With over ninety years of service behind it, the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta sits at a point of both heritage and possibility. By continuing to empower women leaders, responding nimbly to community needs, and building sustainable models of impact, the League hopes not only to sustain its legacy but to magnify its relevance and effectiveness for future generations. It is a story of vision, perseverance, and community connection—proof that when women unite in service, their influence can transform lives for decades to come.
If you are interested in learning more about the Junior League of Cobb-Marietta or how you can support it, please visit JLCM.org
"The Junior League of Cobb-Marietta is committed to developing women to do a world of good."