By: Allison Gallaspy

Since its founding in 1923, the Junior League of Greater New Haven has sought to effect positive change in the Greater New Haven community by promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and supporting the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. As the League prepares for its Centennial Anniversary, we celebrate our members and share their incredible stories, recognizing how each individual story makes up that of the League as a whole.

Keisha Harp

Keisha joined the Junior League of Greater New Haven during the 2016-2017 League year. Among her many accomplishments, she lists first being a mom and a wife, followed by her extensive educational credentials, including a Master’s in Latin American Studies from Cambridge and a law degree from the University of London. Keisha is a New Haven local, having lived here since her family moved here from Jamaica when she was in the seventh grade. Even still, her decision to join JLGNH was influenced by wanting to perform community service and expand her social network. She’s an active woman, working 3 days a week in New York, so she admits that balancing JLGNH responsibilities with work and other roles involves making a lot of lists and having a lot of family support.

Keisha is a League leader, serving as this year’s JLGNH Assistant Finance Director. The highlight of her time in JLGNH was her involvement with the McConaughy Terrace Reading Program, which included gardening projects, yoga classes, and a Christmas Pop Up Shop. The volunteer experiences were incredibly fulfilling and “the students were so excited about working with us and open to learning new things.”

Of the JLGNH, Keisha says, “I think that the women of the Junior League of [Greater] New Haven are the friendliest and most open of all the women’s organizations that I have joined. There are so many opportunities to learn and develop personally and professionally. You just have to be open to exploring the opportunities that are presented to you.”