Pub 1 2021 Issue 1

25 League. I can’t imagine making my life in Salt Lake City without the League.” - Erica Dahl Sustaining Member Barbara Zimonja joined the Junior League in Salt Lake City as a Chicago transplant and served as President in 1983-1984. Below, she recalls the impact the Junior League has had on her life and career: “I joined the JL in Chicago, IL when the organization was still considered “white glove ladies.” My first assign- ment was in the projects on the west side of the city, helping people un- derstand how to find the free social services that were available to them. This was my introduction into what life on the other side is like, and how I could truly make a difference. I moved to Salt Lake City and trans- ferred my membership and quickly was answering the phone in off hours for the rape crises center. My first call was from a boy … an emo- tional experience for me, and also a lesson in humility and compassion. After that I was recruited to help with a big fundraiser for the League, doing a golf tournament. I knew absolutely nothing about golf, and this was my first introduction into the art of quick learning and relying on your intuition. It was a large business transaction, for a bunch of volunteers, and we successfully raised funds to help the community as well as save for future use. I learned so much about business negotiations, about bank- ing funds for the best use, and about handling “important people” properly, i.e.: Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. DEVON CLARK CALLENS BARBARA ZIMONJA ERICA DAHL “I have been deeply impacted by the opportunity to lead within our chapter of the Junior League. I have been con- stantly inspired by the drive and mo- tivation of the women that I lead, and, although it sounds cliché, I find that I learn from them on a daily basis. I am blessed by the friendships that I have formed, and find it inspiring that we all work together so effortlessly. Whether in leadership, or an enthu- siastic committee member, each member plays a role and we all work toward a common goal together.” - Devon Clark Callens Community Director “When I moved to Salt Lake City from San Francisco in 2004, I didn’t know anyone and didn’t have a job. A friend of my husband’s was in the League and we went to dinner and she gave me a brochure on the League. I didn’t do anything, but my husband pushed me to go to one meeting and I was hooked and joined. That same friend introduced me to a League member at the annual dinner in 2005 who told me about a job where she worked and helped me apply. I got the job and worked there for 10 years. So I owe my career in Salt Lake City, my volun- teer experience and so many won- derful and lasting friendships to the I served for years in several capac- ities, as a single working mother, which forced me to prioritize my time as a mom, an income producer, as well as a volunteer. This time in my life helped me understand the ability to make time for what is important, and then the rest of one’s needs will fall in place. And then I was tapped to be the President — such an honor that brought me back to that humility lesson. There were so many won- derful women in the organization, as there are today, and it was humbling to know that they trusted me with their wisdom. My board was brilliant, the volunteers always ready, and the organization was beginning to find a path into the new century. Back in the days when I first joined the League, I started my first business in Chicago. I didn’t know what was up, really, but I got my courage from that experience on the west side of Chicago. And when I moved to Salt Lake City, I started my second business, knowing that I could do some quick learning and rely on my intuition, and built a small property management business into a multi-million dollar endeavor. And I met a great man, with three wonderful children, who we blended together with me and my fabulous son. We are now a family of four kids with loving spouses, and six grandchildren to dote over. Life is wonderful, and I owe many lessons to the Junior League. With love and thanks for giving me this opportunity to go down memo- ry lane ... PS: I still gather with some of my Western Region Presidents from 83-84. We get together somewhere in this hemisphere, once a year (al- though the pandemic has cancelled this year), and reminisce about great times in the Junior League. This experience, too, has given me the opportunity to continue to grow.” - Barbara Zimonja Sustaining Member, President 1983-1984