11/09/2026
Our History
What began with a small group of women in Greenville, Mississippi, in 1935 laid the foundation for what would become the National Association of Junior Auxiliaries in 1941. Today, we celebrate 85 years of the organization they helped establish.
Our history originally started amid the Great Depression in 1935. Two doctors in Greenville, MS, Dr. Montgomery and Dr. Gamble, contacted the society editor of the Delta Democrat Times, Louise Crump, for help. These doctors saw daily the plight of Greenville’s children living in back alleys and on shanty boats on the river. They asked Crump to solicit the aid of her friends in providing food, clothing and toys, along with transportation to the doctors’ and dentists’ offices.
She contacted nine women who met with her in her home. They assessed themselves $5 each to begin their work. They convinced businesses and other individuals in Greenville to provide services and goods. Local dentists and doctors donated their time, and membership grew.
The Greenville women realized that there were similar groups of women in other towns, and by 1940 they began meeting with some of them in the Mississippi and Arkansas Delta. They joined forces, and using the National Junior League as a model, they created a constitution on November 14, 1941 with Crump as the first NAJA president. The charter chapters were McComb, Greenville, Greenwood, Leland, Laurel, Meridian, Vicksburg and West Point, MS; and Pine Bluff and Russellville, AR.
Today there are 84 chapters with more than 16,000 members in seven Southeastern states. Chapters find needs that are not being met in their communities and develop projects to meet those needs.
As we celebrate 85 years, we're proud to honor the women who started it all and the generations of members who have carried that mission forward. 85 Years of Caring Hearts. Helping Hands. Changing Lives.
To learn about how to become part of JA of Humboldt, contact us!
