We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elizabeth Protzman. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elizabeth below.
Elizabeth, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
In January 1923, a group of twelve women, headed by Mrs. Edward Buckland, met to discuss the formation of a Junior League in New Haven. The initial idea of establishing the League came from Mrs. Brower Hewitt, who had been a member of the Junior League of Brooklyn. By April of 1923, our League (with a membership of fifty) was officially admitted to the Association of Junior Leagues of America, and Miss Rachel Trowbridge became the first president. While the face of the Junior League of Greater New Haven has changed since its founding in 1923, the heartfelt passion and dedication of its members and their desire and ability to make a positive and lasting impact in the community has remained strong. The League continues to provide incredible volunteer training to women in the League who, in turn, bring that to other organizations.
The society pages heralded “the Junior League, which came into being but a year ago, wrote its name into the history of New Haven in red letters on Friday night, not only as one of the leading, most powerful and most helpful organizations of the city, but also its most versatile,” after the first of what was to become a tradition of glittering extravaganzas, the Balloon Ball at the Lawn Club.
Throughout the 1920s, emphasis was placed on work associated with health. 1925 saw the evolution of the League’s first project—to finance the hospital care of needy maternity patients who could not get assistance from any other source. By 1933 its function was absorbed by a new “City Plan” for pre-natal care, concentrating the care in the three hospital clinics. This full cycle of the project followed the general policy of the League—to initiate a program which would ultimately become independent of League support.
The League established the Central Volunteer Bureau in August of 1941 to correlate the wartime and social agency needs with the abilities and desires of volunteers. Junior League members volunteered for Civil Defense, the Red Cross and the USO, among others, as well as fulfilling their ongoing obligations to community work.
During the 1950s, a number of large fundraising projects were undertaken. From 1950 to 1956, the League gave over $26,000 to local organizations.
For many, 1964-65 will be remembered as the year of the Volunteer Bureau. This project, initially organized by the League and established by the Community Council, served to coordinate the efforts of local volunteer personnel with community organization needs. The Volunteer Service Bureau grew to include a high school division, the administration of Meals on Wheels, and a weekly column in the New Haven Register to inform the community about volunteer opportunities and needs. This project was terminated in 1971, primarily due to a lack of financial support from within the community.
During the decade of the 1980s, the Junior League continued to have a large presence in New Haven. In 1982, the Rachel Trowbridge Scholarship Fund was established. Candidates for this award were graduating seniors in the New Haven area who demonstrated an interest in volunteer work. This award is currently administered by the New Haven Scholarship Fund and is still active today.
By the early 1990s, the Junior League of Greater New Haven had undergone a fundamental change: the overwhelming majority of its Active members now worked outside the home full-time. In order to accommodate the needs of its members, general membership and committee meetings were now held in the evening; an effort was made not to meet as frequently; and League projects became a more collaborative effort with other community organizations. These changes allowed for a level of community involvement and impact that otherwise would not have been achieved, and accommodated the schedules of women who worked outside the home.
In 1991, the League’s signature project for the next six years was born: Elm City Kids, an evening child care program for the children of men and women in substance abuse treatment programs. The project was developed in conjunction with the Hospital of St. Raphael, and in the mid-90s, it also gave rise to the related project of Parenting Workshops. Following the tradition of turning projects over to the community, in 1997 the Clifford T. Beers Guidance Clinic took over the Elm City Kids Program.
During these years League volunteers were busy organizing events in collaboration with other community organizations. The League played an important role in the 1993 and 1995 Hearts for Life AIDS benefits, organizing the gala dinners and post-show receptions for these events that raised over $90,000 each for New Haven-based AIDS care providers. Members also helped with concert benefits for the Clifford T. Beers Guidance Clinic in 1993 and the Michael Bolton Foundation in 1994.
Another organization with which the League has had a long-standing relationship is Big Brothers/Big Sisters of New Haven. In 1993, League members organized what has become an annual event for boys and girls in the program waiting to be placed with a “Big”. Events for the children have been parties, a day with horses at High Hopes Stables, New Haven Ravens baseball games, a trip to Mystic Aquarium and in more recent years, sailing trips on the educational schooner, Quinnipiack.
In 2001, a fabulous luncheon featuring Dr. Henry Lee raised over $4,500, which became seed money for the League’s current primary project, the creation of a “Family Room” at the New Haven Police Department’s headquarters. Working in collaboration with the Yale Child Studies Center, this room provides a quiet retreat for both children and adults at the police headquarters. Also that year, the League established a new Community Voluntarism Award, an annual award and scholarship that recognized up to three female high school students who have shown great commitment to volunteerism in the Greater New Haven area and who exemplify the ideals of the Junior League.
By the mid-2000s, with a smaller and increasingly career-oriented membership, the League began to reassess its structure and policies to become more streamlined, focused and resourceful. This allowed the League to more effectively address evolving community needs while still meeting the desires of its membership. In 2005, the League developed its first three-year strategic plan to better define the League’s vision, values, and goals, and to give its members a clearer understanding of the League’s identity and purpose. Through these efforts, the League sharpened its focus to address the issues facing underserved school-age children and their families. As part of this plan, by 2007 the League initiated a Community Advisory Board to help assess community needs and to provide guidance and support for the League’s mission and projects.
To directly address the needs of school-age children, the League developed the New Haven Public Schools Cooperative in 2005. Partnering with Timothy Dwight Elementary School, the League brought to the classrooms educational activities such as “Science Night,” a Mystic Aquarium traveling program, and a Sounds of Africa drumming event. In addition, League members conducted monthly read-alouds, donated over 1,000 books to the classrooms, and provided cozy reading nooks with colorful rugs, chairs, and lamps, to encourage literacy. The project has continued into 2010 through a partnership with Clarence Rogers Elementary School.
In 2005, the League began its first annual Kids in the Kitchen event with area Girl Scouts within the Connecticut Trails Council. An Association of Junior League’s International initiative to address the growing problem of childhood obesity, Kids in the Kitchen offered educational programming for children and their families about healthy eating and living. For the first two years of the project, League members organized day-long events including exercise classes, recipe-book making, tips for herb gardening, cooking demonstrations, and games to learn about tips for making healthy choices. In recent years of the program, League members brought these educational activities to the children at Timothy Dwight Elementary School and initiated a partnership with Yale University Sustainable farm where inner-city children had an opportunity to garden, to learn about nutrition, and to make their own pizzas in a brick oven.
While the face of the Junior League of Greater New Haven has changed since its founding in 1923, the heartfelt passion and dedication of its members and their desire and ability to make a positive and lasting impact in the community has remained strong. The incredible volunteer training women receive in the League, and, in turn, bring to other organizations has set a standard that no other organization can match.
MISSION
The Mission of the Junior League of Greater New Haven is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration and training.
VISION
The Junior League of Greater New Haven Inc. is committed to strengthening our community by improving the lives of families in need through voluntarism, leadership, and collaboration.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION COMMITMENT STATEMENT
The Junior League welcomes all women who value our Mission. We are committed to inclusive environments of diverse individuals, organizations and communities. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion here.
Elizabeth, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Elizabeth Protzman is from Connecticut, born in Hartford. She currently serves as the Director of Communications for the statewide non profit organization Winning Ways, a community mental health based education program for people overcoming reentry, in recovery, and from underserved communities. Their organization has been featured twice on WFSB’s Great Day at 9a program!
Elizabeth has had a long career in human services and non profit.. She has worked with target populations including Veterans, people with disabilities, HIV+, women escaping domestic violence, criminal justice system involved persons, and teenaged girls in foster care. Her work has been published in two non fiction journals regarding homelessness prevention, and she has collaborated with Yale School of Medicine’s Infectious Diseases studies on comorbidities studies.
In 2009, Elizabeth survived a fatal boating accident that took the life of a very close friend. Since then she became a volunteer for Mother’s Against Drunk Driving, including fundraising for the Walk Like MADD Branford and Hartford 5k. Her advocacy and testimony helped alter drinking and boating laws to make Connecticut waters safer.
Elizabeth also has been a very vocal advocate for trauma survivors in Connecticut. She currently volunteers for the local anti trafficking organization Love146 to help prevent other girls from the same fate, as she is a survivor of childhood sexual assault. She has supported the Hartford team, and founded and co-chairs the Love146 Greater New Haven Volunteer Team. She has served on the board of directors for the women’s organizations the Junior League of Greater New Haven (where she will be serving as President for the 2024-2025 term) and the Junior League of Hartford. She is a survivor of domestic violence and recounted her story as a part of the viral Women Empowering Women Events “Women Talk” Virtual Conference 2021, which was viewed by over 750 people. She has worked with several domestic violence organizations in Connecticut, and raised money for Interval House in Hartford. She was featured in two major exhibits highlighting women, including the Women Who Inspire Us 2021 at the Shops at Evergreen Walk and People: The Heart of Connecticut at the Noah Webster Museum in 2020.
She is an award winning actress and artist, having been named to the All Connecticut Cast by the Connecticut Drama Association and exhibiting in the Citywide Open Studios in New Haven. She is currently writing a true crime novel about a series of real events, tragedies, and murders in her hometown. She is a loving mother to two young sons, coaches Little League T Ball for the RHAM Youth Baseball League, serves as Den Leader for her son’s Cub Scouts Pack 39, is a Buffalo chicken and craft beer super fan, and enjoys space opera or gangster movies
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
I am filled with immense pride and excitement for the journey ahead. Our mission to empower women and positively impact our community is more vital than ever, and I am honored to lead us in this important work. Together, we will build upon our legacy, create meaningful change, and continue to be a force for good in Greater New Haven.
This year, I am committed to implementing a renewed focus on transparency within our organization. Transparency is not just about sharing information; it is about building trust, fostering open communication, and ensuring every member feels informed and valued. We will strive to keep you well-informed about our goals, decisions, and the impact of our initiatives, so that you are fully empowered to contribute your voice and talents to our collective success.
In alignment with our values, we will continue to advance our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives. We recognize that our strength lies in our diversity, and it is our responsibility to create an environment where every member feels welcome and respected. This year, we will introduce new training opportunities, discussions, and actions that will not only deepen our understanding of DEIB principles but will also ensure that these principles are woven into the very fabric of our League.
We are also placing a strong emphasis on increasing opportunities for social and networking events, training sessions, and personal and professional development. These activities are designed to enrich your experience as a member of the Junior League, helping you to grow both personally and professionally. Whether through leadership workshops, social gatherings, or specialized training programs, we are committed to offering you a diverse array of opportunities to connect, learn, and thrive.
Additionally, we recognize the invaluable contributions of our Sustainers and the importance of reconnecting with this vital part of our League family. Our Sustainers are a wealth of knowledge, experience, and wisdom, and this year, we are excited to create more opportunities for them to engage with our active members. Whether through mentorship programs, special events, or collaborative projects, we aim to strengthen the bond between our active and Sustainer members, fostering a community of support and mutual growth.
Finally, our impact on the Greater New Haven community remains at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to expanding our reach and deepening our influence, ensuring that our work continues to bring positive change to those who need it most. Through innovative projects, partnerships, and advocacy, we will work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of individuals and families across our community.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
Little Black Dress Initiative (#LBDI) is a week-long awareness and fundraising campaign that harnesses the power of social media and doing something “a little different” in order to educate people about local issues that Leagues work on in their communities. The 2023 Little Black Dress Imitative will take place from April 17th to April 23rd.
In the New Haven community, our LBDI will underscore the effects of poverty on our most vulnerable populations.
Junior League of Greater New Haven LBDI Advocates wear the same black dress (or outfit) for five consecutive days to illustrate the restrictions poverty places on choices, opportunities, and access to resources. By wearing a button that reads “Ask Me About My Dress,” they invite dialogue among colleagues, friends, and strangers to illustrate how limited resources affect daily life and raise awareness about the basic needs to help break the cycle of poverty.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.jlgnh.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/non.profit.love
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Libby.Protzman
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-protzman-27188631
