Les Gemmes Incorporated
| History |
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Les Gemmes was founded by four childhood friends in April 1955 in Norfolk, Virginia. Later, together with other young ladies of similar ideals and interests, these four met to form the original Les Gemmes (French—“the jewels”) Civic, Social and Savings Club. The four friends subsequently became the Founders of the Organization. The first two years, 1955 – 1957, was a period dedicated to diligent organizational planning and hard work. Successful supporting projects and activities gave the club a good start and great momentum. The goals of Les Gemmes were altered and expanded to include activities to stimulate, foster and provide social, civic, educational and cultural activities among the members and the community. Additionally, establishing chapters throughout the Continental United States would also be a major focus. Under the first National President, many goals were achieved and the dream of a Corporation became a reality. In April 1968, Les Gemmes was incorporated in Richmond, Virginia. Currently, the Organization has twenty chapters from six states and the District of Columbia, with expansion plans a part of the national program. The First National Convention was held in Norfolk, Virginia in 1972. A National Convention is now held every two years. For the past few decades, the organization has become much more service oriented, and the purpose was again altered to the current one: "To promote and provide charitable, educational, civic, and cultural activities aimed at enhancing the populations of the various communities." The strengths of the Organization have come from the unity and collective resources of its membership. Through the years, Les Gemmes has adopted programmatic goals to reach citizens throughout the United States. Current goals are in the area of HEALTH, EDUCATION AND ECONOMICS, ARTS, RECRUITMENT AND RETAINMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND YOUTH. Les Gemmes, Incorporated continues to grow as the chapters assemble their efforts to adhere to the ideals of its Organization, “ONWARD, UPWARD – UNITED WE STAND.” |