Lagniappe Spring 2026

Spring !0!6 Contents

LAGNIAPPE STAFF

Editor: Tara Waldron

Assistant Editors: Angelique Dyer and Lynn Spearman

Writers: Samantha Murphy Frost, Bess Meeks, Michelle Clarke Payne, Reynecia Ricks, Tara Waldron

Photographers: Delana Lynn Photography

PUBLISHER STAFF

Art Director: Ti ani Amedeo

by Delana Lynn Photography

Production Manager: Rosa Balaguer

Production Designers: Ashley Bravata, Czarlyn Ria Trinidad

Chief Executive O icer: Todd Matherne

President's Message

e are grateful for the incredible women of the Junior League and the lasting impact they make throughout our community. Through meaningful volunteer service, leadership development and strong community partnerships, the Junior League plays a vital role in strengthening families, addressing critical needs and developing women as effective civic leaders. The collective efforts of our members create meaningful, long-term change that reaches far beyond individual projects and touches every corner of Greater New Orleans. As we continue this important work, we invite members of the public who are passionate about service, leadership and making a difference to consider joining us. Applications to become a member of the Junior League are now open, and we welcome women who are eager to connect, lead and help shape a stronger future for our community. Join us and be part of Women Leaders for a Greater New Orleans.

Michelle Clarke Payne JLNO President, 2025-2026

JLNO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President: Michelle Clarke Payne

President-Elect: Shelby Wynne

Secretary: Phoebe Hathorn

Treasurer: Genevieve Mo at

Assistant Treasurer: Margaret Saik

Business Council Director: Alexa Sturtz

Communications Council Director: Lynn Spearman

Community Council Director: Emily Vorho

Membership Council Director: Savanna VanAusdale

Planning & Development Council Director: Krystal Hebert

Ways & Means Council Director: Lovie Rodgers

Nominating Committee Chair: Hope Clay

Sustaining Advisor to the Board: Kristin Van Hook Moore

A Day On, Not A Day Off Serving Families on MLK Day

n Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, members of the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) and volunteers from across the community came together at the JLNO Diaper Bank to honor Dr. King’s legacy through meaningful community action. Dedicated to serving families with dignity and compassion, JLNO organized the day into multiple shifts where a mix of JLNO members and community volunteers worked side by side to sort, package and prepare essential diaper, period product and adult incontinence supplies for local children and families in need.

The community volunteers included several Loyola University students who joined the JLNO members in volunteering as a way to give back to the New Orleans community. Loyola student Andrea Chavez described the day by sharing that volunteering on MLK Day “was such a meaningful experience–helping sort and package diapers for families in need, while bonding with my sorority sisters made it especially rewarding. It was inspiring to support a cause that directly impacts so many families in our community.”

The positive vibes were infectious as volunteers chatted and smiled through their work. Having volunteers outside of the Junior League helped to spread the mission of the JLNO Diaper Bank to a new demographic of people. Loyola student, Vincent Variste, commented, “Through my service at the diaper bank it reminded me that even small acts of service can make a drastic difference for families in

our community and beyond. We had a great time getting to know the ladies of Delta Gamma as well as other volunteers; service indeed makes us stronger.” Loyola student, Ella Gleeson, further remarked, “My experience volunteering at the diaper bank on MLK day was very rewarding! Before we began, one of the JLNO volunteers gave a speech about the importance of the diaper bank and how we were making a direct impact on the community. It was an insightful and rewarding opportunity and I would definitely do it again!”

For many, a day off from work is a welcome pause—a chance to rest, reset or spend time with loved ones. But for others, certain days carry a deeper meaning, calling not for rest but for action. The JLNO Diaper Bank is so grateful for the volunteers from across the community who chose service over leisure, honoring Dr. King’s legacy by meeting real and urgent needs. Rather than stepping away from responsibility, they stepped forward—packing supplies, offering time and reaffirming the belief that meaningful change begins with serving others. On January 20, 2026, that change looked like a total of 54 volunteers helping to sort and pack 54,330 diapers, period supplies and incontinence products by the end of the day!

This day of service reflected the Junior League’s commitment to strengthening the Greater New Orleans community while turning Dr. King’s vision of service into a powerful act of love and support for families across the city.

Sally Suthon

2026 Junior League of New Orleans Sustainer of the Year

The educational and charitable mission of the Junior League of New Orleans (JLNO) is exemplified by the 2026 Sustainer of the Year, Sarah “Sally” Foster Suthon. While she credits JLNO for the skills she learned as a member, she has exercised and honed those skills into many other volunteer and charitable organizations, making an exponential impact on the community.

FAMILY TRADITION

It all starts with your roots and this is certainly the case when it comes to Sally Suthon. Sally learned volunteerism at home. The women in her family have a history of JLNO membership. Her mother and all her mother’s friends set the example as committed volunteers. Growing up with such examples and expectations, it is no surprise that when she became old enough to join the Junior League of New Orleans, she did not think twice about it.

Sally joined the Junior League of New Orleans over 40 years ago, when membership required sponsors, a nomination and vote. Her mother and her cousin were kind enough to serve as her sponsors. And Sally–a young, single woman with a full-time job at a time when only a small percentage of league members worked and most were married–simply could not say “no” to her mother. And so, her journey with JLNO began.

SERVICE TO JLNO

As an Active member, Sally served JLNO both as Community Council Director (then referred to as Community Vice President) and as President (1998-1999) of the Board of Directors.

Sally’s initial interest in the juvenile justice system led to the JLNO producing a film demonstrating the correlation between substance abuse and incarceration. The film was distributed to all schools in the Greater New Orleans area and, ultimately, led to Sally to the next step–working to develop and implement JLNO’s Teen Court program, a nationwide program aimed at preventing juvenile first-time, misdemeanor offenders from committing more serious crimes. This contribution gave lowlevel, first-time young offenders a second chance by offering offenders a different path. Its impact is still felt in New Orleans today.

BEYOND JLNO

Sally has been involved at the leadership level in several organizations, ranging from helping homeless and at-risk youth as a board member of Covenant House, to focusing on sustainability of our coast and wetlands by serving as a member of the Executive Committee of Women of the Storm.

“I love New Orleans–potholes and all–and we all have a responsibility to make it a better place. There is no better way to help than to volunteer,” Sally explains.

She credits JLNO with giving her the skills to be a better board member and to be prepared for leadership–skills such as meeting facilitation and Robert’s Rules of Order have carried over into other community roles.

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I love New Orleans–potholes and all–and we all have a responsibility to make it a better place. There is no better way to help than to volunteer.

Even after her tenure on the board, Sally has remained a trusted advisor to JLNO’s leadership over the years, serving as the Sustaining Advisor to the Board (20012002 & 2017-2018) and multiple times as the Sustaining Advisor to JLNO’s Community Council. Throughout these opportunities, Sally always brings a great perspective on the history of the organization and thoughtful insight into the possibilities for the future.

Sally has had the privilege to see the Junior League of New Orleans evolve into the organization it is today and loves where it is going. She believes that opening up its membership and changing its demographics to better mirror the city surrounding us gives the organization more credibility in the community. Overall, she credits JLNO for allowing a wider array of women to bring their talents to the table to make a much bigger impact in the Greater New Orleans area.

One of the most important life skills she took away from volunteering with JLNO was the ability to work with diverse parties in difficult situations. She is known for bringing people with differing backgrounds and goals together to work on solving larger issues.

In between all her community commitments, Sally uses the bachelor’s degree she earned from the University of Virginia to run her own business–Suthon Solutions–a company specializing in customized promotional products and business gifts. She also enjoys a quiet life of reading, travel and spending time at her place in Fairhope with all her animals.

ADVICE FOR GETTING INVOLVED

When you see a positive impact, it drives further involvement. Sally believes the key to success is to find something that really matters to you personally rather than just going through the motions. She noted that the great thing about the Junior League of New Orleans is that it brings people together for a common cause and trains members to make community service a way of life. A wonderful by-product of making community service a way of life has been making life-long friends, some of whom she has known since she started as a brand new member of JLNO.

Sally’s myriad of accomplishments and successes both within JLNO and the Greater New Orleans community make her selection as the 2026 Sustainer of the Year a truly fantastic choice!

COCKTAILS FOR A CAUSE RETURNS!

Each January, the Junior League of New Orleans partners with Ralph’s on the Park and its Cocktails for a Cause program. Throughout the month, 20% of the proceeds for each specialty cocktail purchased go to JLNO. The 2026 specialty cocktail was a New Orleans Sour featuring bourbon, citrus and Ramos Pinto Porto Tawny. JLNO members, prospective members and friends all gathered to mingle and support the cause by attending the JLNO-sponsored Sip & Social event on January 7, 2026. The event featured king cake, a roaming photobooth and a Carnival headpiece contest, much to the delight of attendees.

In Case You Missed It!

SIX YEARS OF WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

JLNO’s Women’s Leadership Summit (WLS) returned to the Intercontinental New Orleans Hotel on March 6, 2026. Presented by Ochsner Baptist, the Summit featured the theme “Conditioned for Courage: Fit in Every Way to Go Further.” Lauren Haydel of Fleurty Girl, Ti Martin of Commander's Palace and Charmaine Caccioppi of United Way of Southeast Louisiana anchored the day as opening, luncheon and closing keynote speakers, respectively. The interactive breakout sessions focused on professional development, personal growth and community engagement, while a Vendor Marketplace allowed participants to support local female-owned businesses during breaks. Overall, the highlysuccessful Summit was a day of inspiration, connection, empowerment and growth for women of Greater New Orleans.

APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN TO JOIN THE JUNIOR LEAGUE OF NEW ORLEANS

Come one, come all (women ages 23 and older)! The Junior League of New Orleans warmly welcomes those who are interested in membership the opportunity to join a dynamic collective of service-oriented women in the Greater New Orleans area! Last year, 120 new members joined JLNO, strengthening the community of over 1,800, who advance the well-being of local women and families through leadership development, service opportunities and meaningful connections. The Membership Council and JLNO Leadership are hosting three ‘Get to Know JLNO’ sessions this year to o!er prospective members the opportunity to socialize with like-minded women and learn more about JLNO’s mission and member experience. The sessions are as follows:

Sunday, March 15, 2026

3 – 4 PM | JLNO Headquarters 4319 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA 70115

Sunday, April 12, 2026

5 – 6 PM | JLNO Headquarters 4319 Carondelet Street, New Orleans, LA 70115

Monday, May 11, 2026

7 – 8 PM | Zoom

Applications Open: Sunday, March 1, 2026

Applications Close: Friday, May 15, 2026

Calendar Corner

Run, Walk, Give | Crescent City Classic

April 4, 2026

Location: Superdome start, finish at City Park

WE Fellowship Pitch Competition

April 9, 2026

Location: JLNO Headquarters, 4319 Carondelet Street 5PM - 9PM

Safe Sitter

April 12, 2026

Location: JLNO Headquarters, 4319 Carondelet Street 8AM - 4PM

Period Poverty Awareness Week

May 11 to May 17, 2026

Passing of the Gavel

May 19, 2026

Location: JLNO Headquarters, 4319 Carondelet Street 6PM - 8PM

League Faces

JLNO Members and community volunteers band together to work a MLK Day shi at the JLNO Diaper Bank. January 2026

Members of JLNO compete for prizes at the annual Cocktails for a Cause meetup at Ralph’s on the Park. February 2026

members volunteer at Green Light New Orleans to paint rain barrels that will be installed in the local community. March 2026

Sustainers gather at JLNO Headquarters for King Cake tasting and Mahjong. February 2026

JLNO members join in service with Women United at the Sankofa Wetland Park and Nature Trail, helping to plant vegetation and clear a bird path, continuing their work in New Orleans East to restore wetlands, protect wildlife habitats and strengthen environmental resilience. March 2026

JLNO once again welcomes Ursuline Academy students to its 2026 Women’s Leadership Summit for a day of learning and networking with women throughout the region. March 2026