Throughout American history, women’s organizations have played a pivotal role in shaping communities, advocating for social causes, and stepping in during times of crisis. Among the most influential of these groups is the Junior League, a volunteer-based organization founded in 1901 that continues to make a lasting impact today. This Junior League Motor Corps license plate topper from 1920s Plainfield, New Jersey, is not just a fascinating piece of automobilia—it’s a connection to an era when women were redefining their role in society and public service.
The Junior League: A Movement of Women in Action
The Junior League was founded by Mary Harriman, a 19-year-old New York City socialite with a deep sense of civic duty. At the turn of the 20th century, industrialization and immigration were transforming American cities, and Harriman saw an opportunity to mobilize young women to address pressing social issues. What began as a small initiative in New York soon grew into a national movement, with Junior League chapters forming across the country.
Mary Harriman Rumsey, founder of the first Junior League chapter, attends the Junior League Ball at the Mayflower Hotel with longtime friends Eleanor Roosevelt and Congresswoman Isabella Greenway.
By the time the Plainfield, New Jersey, Junior League was established in 1923, the organization had already become a powerful force for change. Members worked to improve education, healthcare, and public welfare, often partnering with local governments and charities. However, the League’s role took on an even greater significance during World War I, when women were called upon to support the war effort in ways they never had before.
Members of the Women’s Motor Corps, part of the American Red Cross Motor Car Service in 1918. The Junior League in San Francisco pioneered a similar volunteer transport initiative during World War I, which later inspired the nationwide Red Cross Motor Corps.
The Junior League Motor Corps: Pioneers of Wartime Service
During World War I, transportation was a major logistical challenge. The San Francisco Junior League was the first to organize a volunteer Motor Corps, where women used their own automobiles to transport medical supplies, food, and aid to soldiers and civilians in need. This initiative was so effective that it became the model for the Red Cross Motor Corps, which eventually operated nationwide.
The women who drove for the Junior League Motor Corps were pioneers in many ways. At a time when automobiles were still relatively new and driving was often seen as a male-dominated activity, these women took the wheel—literally and figuratively—to support their communities. Their efforts helped break gender norms and demonstrated that women could take on leadership roles outside the home.
Members of the Red Cross' Women’s Motor Corps in 1918 in nearby Morgan, New Jersey transporting wounded refugees to a hospital.
A Rare Artifact: The Junior League Motor Corps License Plate Topper
This porcelain license plate topper, featuring white lettering on a cobalt blue background, is a rare and beautifully preserved piece from this era. Issued to members of the Plainfield, New Jersey, Junior League Motor Corps, it would have been proudly displayed on a member’s automobile, signifying her role in this important volunteer effort.
1920 Era Junior League Motor Corps License Plate Topper | Plainfield New Jersey
While license plate toppers were common in the early to mid-20th century, those tied to women’s organizations—especially one as influential as the Junior League—are far less common. This piece represents not just automobilia but a significant chapter in women’s history.
(Interested in learning more about the history of license plate toppers? Check out our dedicated blog post on toppers here!)
The Junior League’s Legacy Lives On
The impact of the Junior League Motor Corps extended beyond World War I. Many of the young women who served in the Motor Corps went on to hold leadership roles in public service, philanthropy, and social reform. Over the years, the Junior League has continued to champion causes such as child welfare, education, and women’s rights.
Today, the Junior League operates in over 290 communities across four countries, staying true to its mission of training women to be effective leaders and change-makers. The organization’s legacy can be seen in everything from early literacy programs to advocacy for domestic violence survivors, reflecting the same spirit of service that defined its Motor Corps volunteers over a century ago.
A Collector’s Piece with a Story to Tell
For collectors of women’s history memorabilia, automobilia, or Junior League artifacts, this Junior League Motor Corps license plate topper is a rare and meaningful find. It represents an era when women were not only reshaping their own opportunities but also contributing in tangible ways to their communities and country.
Whether displayed among other historic license plate toppers, Red Cross memorabilia, or early feminist artifacts, this piece is a reminder of the courage, dedication, and pioneering spirit of the women of the Junior League Motor Corps.
If you are interested in more history of the Junior League, check out their free online book here.