Junior League of Santa Barbara

Looking to connect with inspiring women, build meaningful friendships, and make a lasting impact in our community? Join us for our JLSB Recruitment Conversation and discover what the Junior League of Santa Barbara is all about. We’d love to meet you! 💙

Come learn about our mission, connect with like-minded women, and explore how you can get involved in creating positive change throughout our community.

📍 Arnie’s Rooftop Bar at Linden Square, Carpinteria
🗓️ June 16 | 6–8 PM

Looking for a way to get involved, give back, and connect with incredible women in our community?

We'd love to meet you!

Join us at one of our upcoming JLSB Recruitment Events this June and learn more about what it means to be part of the Junior League of Santa Barbara.

Whether you're passionate about community impact, leadership development, volunteerism, or simply looking to build meaningful friendships, there's a place for you here.

✨ Meet current members
✨ Learn about our mission and programs
✨ Discover ways to make a difference in Santa Barbara County
✨ See how, together, we thrive

No commitment required—just come say hello and see what we're all about!

📩 Questions? Send us a message: [email protected]
🔗 Learn more about membership at the link in our bio.

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As part of our mission to inspire girls and empower the next generation of female leaders, the Junior League of Santa Barbara launched the EmpowerHER Scholarship this year to recognize and support outstanding local high school students who are creating positive change in their schools and communities. 💙

The response to this inaugural scholarship program exceeded every expectation. We were blown away by both the number of applications we received and the extraordinary accomplishments, leadership, and service demonstrated by the young changemakers who applied. Selecting just three recipients was no easy task.

At our Annual Dinner, we were thrilled to award our inaugural EmpowerHER Scholarships to Crystal Echevarria, Kayleen Corona, and Sophia Santana.

These exceptional young women stood out for their leadership, volunteerism, academic achievement, and commitment to making a difference. Through service, advocacy, mentorship, and leadership in their schools and communities, they are already making a meaningful impact and inspiring others to do the same.

By investing in young leaders today, we are investing in the future of our community. We are honored to celebrate Crystal, Kayleen, and Sophia and cannot wait to see all they accomplish in the years ahead.

We are incredibly proud of the success of this inaugural program and look forward to growing and expanding the EmpowerHER Scholarship in the years to come as we continue to invest in the next generation of leaders and changemakers. ✨

Congratulations to our inaugural EmpowerHER Scholarship recipients! 💙

The Junior League of Santa Barbara is thrilled to partner with the Santa Barbara Young Professionals Club for their June Mixer and to be recognized as their Nonprofit of the Month!

Join us for an evening of networking, meaningful connections, and community impact as local professionals come together to learn more about the work of JLSB and the difference we can make when we work together.

📅 Wednesday, June 10
🕠 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Junior League of Santa Barbara Office
229 E. Victoria Street, Santa Barbara

Whether you're looking to expand your network, learn more about Junior League, or connect with others who are passionate about strengthening our community, we'd love to see you there.

🔗 Register at the link in our bio.

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THANK YOU, 2025–2026 BOARD OF DIRECTORS 💙

As we begin a new League year, the Junior League of Santa Barbara extends our heartfelt gratitude to the incredible women who served on our 2025–2026 Board of Directors.

These dedicated volunteers gave countless hours of their time, talents, and leadership while balancing careers, families, and personal commitments. Their passion, creativity, and commitment helped make this a truly remarkable year for our League and our community.

A special thank you to:

💙 Jessica Hawley, President
💙 Lauren Trujillo, Executive Vice President
💙 Shannon Stengele, Secretary
💙 Ally Meier, Treasurer
💙 Cara Cunningham, Nominating Director
💙 Haley Kolosieke, Membership Council Director
💙 Rachel Brown, Development Council Director
💙 Maso Motlow, Communications Council Director
💙 Donatella Lopez, Community Council Director
💙 Jackie Jimenez, Board Assistant

It’s almost June… and you know what that means 👀✨
Junior League of Santa Barbara recruitment season is officially opening! 💙

If you’ve been looking for a way to get more involved in the community, meet incredible women, grow as a leader, and make meaningful connections — this is your sign. ✨

Join us for a fun and relaxed evening of crafting, conversation, and community as we kick off a new League year together. No crafting experience needed — just come as you are!

💙 Meet current members
🎨 Enjoy a creative activity
🤝 Learn more about JLSB
✨ Find your community

📍 Junior League of Santa Barbara Office
📅 Monday, June 1, 2026
⏰ 5:30–7:30 PM

Email [email protected] to register and for more info!

Tag a friend who should come with you! 👇

✨ June Recruitment Events Are Here ✨

Looking to connect with inspiring women, grow your leadership skills, and make a meaningful impact in the community? Join us this June and discover what the Junior League is all about.

From philanthropy and volunteerism to friendship and personal growth, there’s a place for you here. We can’t wait to meet the next generation of women ready to lead, serve, and create change.

Come learn more about our mission, meet current members, and see firsthand the impact we’re making together.

Email [email protected] for more information.

The Junior League of Santa Barbara is proud to recognize Nancy Martz as our 2026 Sustainer of the Year! 💙

Nancy joined JLSB in 2001 after returning to Santa Barbara from the Bay Area and quickly became a dedicated leader within the League, serving as Secretary/Parliamentarian, Treasurer, and Finance Council Director during her active years.

Through her involvement with JLSB, Nancy also helped create the Children’s Library at the downtown Santa Barbara Public Library alongside fellow League members. Beyond the League, she has served as a founding member and first Research Committee Chair of the Women’s Fund of Santa Barbara, chaired the Marymount book fair, and served on the board of the Children’s Project Academy.

Nancy is the Founder and Executive Director of Apples to Zucchini Cooking School (), a beloved community cooking school that brings people together through food, connection, and education.

Inspired by her family’s Austrian culinary roots, Nancy learned to cook traditional cuisine from her grandfather and uncle at a young age. While attending law school in San Francisco, she discovered another passion while volunteering in a third grade classroom. Twenty years later, she combined these two interests to create a cooking school for children — helping students gain confidence and life skills while learning how to prepare delicious, nutritious, and affordable meals using seasonal and local ingredients.

What began as classes for children has since expanded to include programs for teens, adults, and families, continuing Nancy’s mission of building community and connection through cooking.

Nancy embodies the spirit of service, leadership, and lasting community impact that defines the Junior League of Santa Barbara.

We are excited to celebrate Nancy and all she has contributed to our community at our Annual Dinner and Awards Ceremony on Monday, May 18th at 6pm at the 28Vic. ✨

Congratulations to on a beautiful and impactful Community Dinner celebrating the Youth Culinary Arts Cohort!

We are always inspired by Freedom 4 Youth’s mission to uplift and empower youth impacted by the criminal legal system through healing-centered, restorative, and youth-led solutions. Their commitment to advocacy, culturally responsive programming, and creating real pathways toward healing, stability, and long-term change is making a meaningful impact in our community.

Thank you for all that you do to support and empower Santa Barbara youth. 💙

Junior League of Santa Barbara is proud to participate in , the Junior Leagues of California State Public Affairs Committee, which advocates for legislation that aligns with and supports the community impact work of California’s 17 Junior Leagues.

Last weekend in Sacramento, we wrapped up another impactful year of with meaningful leadership and advocacy training, legislative visits, and voting to support 16 bills in addition to our co-sponsored bill, SB 961.

A special thank you to the delegates for welcoming us to join your visit with . Senator Grove is the author of SB 1217: Nonconsensual Intimate Image Clearinghouse, one of the bills CalSPAC voted to support this year.