By: Cara Tucker
First appeared in the Fall/Winter 2021-22 edition of The CRIER.
“When it was announced I was the [President-Elect], some [Junior League of Charlotte] friends joked, ‘You know that’s failing at sustaining, right?’” After the world shut down in March 2020, then-sustainer Christina Gratrix felt a pull to jump back into The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC). Christina’s daughter started kindergarten in 2019 and both she and her older brother finished school virtually in 2020. “Doing school virtually while working remotely was very difficult for me and my husband,” Christina explained, “but we were very fortunate; we were parents who had the opportunity to work from home who had jobs and didn’t have to worry about putting food on the table.”
Seeing first responders and health care workers go to work every day, she wondered about their kids and how those families managed with virtual schooling, shutdowns and COVID-19. Thinking about Charlotte’s persistent education and opportunity gaps, and how COVID-19 would widen those inequities for years to come, left her awake at night thinking of those children. “I knew I wanted to do something to help, but I am one person. The JLC provides you the opportunity to connect with other volunteers and to make an impact. As an individual, you aren’t going to move the needle in the same way as when you are part of the League.”
Christina transferred to the JLC from the Junior League of Richmond in 2010 and held many different JLC leadership positions before sustaining in 2018. “Sustaining gave me the most flexibility for my family when I did it,” Christina explained, “but I still remained engaged.” After sustaining, Christina had opportunities in her career to build teams and lead projects – skills she thought she could bring in service to the JLC. Her children are now in school, and her husband, Jordan, has since switched jobs and now enjoys more manageable work hours. The inequitable impacts of COVID-19 left Christina yearning to be part of the solution for Charlotte’s children and jump back into the JLC; it also seemed the time in her life was right to do so. Jordan agreed and encouraged her, saying: “Now is the time. Go for it.” In conversations with her children, they agreed to share her a bit more. With her family behind her, Christina took the leap and jumped back into the JLC and leadership as President-Elect for the 2021-22 JLC year and President for the 2022-23 JLC year.
Since assuming her new role, Christina manages her time by continually reflecting upon her goals and what matters most to her, and by blocking her time accordingly. “Before the pandemic, I liked to do a lot of things and keep busy. I used to think that multitasking was a positive. COVID-19 forced a reset of that lifestyle, and it helped me recalibrate and figure out where I want to invest my time and what is important to me.” Christina plans out her week on Sundays, using a whiteboard to block time for family, work and the JLC. Saturdays are family days to recharge and schedule as little as possible. Reflecting on past presidents, Christina observed how they focused on one goal and concentrated their efforts and time toward that goal by working with others, and she strives to follow their example and do the same.
Christina understands that not everything can be a priority at once and that she is part of a team. “The JLC is a large group of volunteers. No one person can do everything. Everyone pitches in and helps.” While it is difficult some days to prioritize, her work as a project manager has honed her skills at monitoring timelines and appreciating how her decisions may impact another person’s ability to finish their work. These are the tasks that she does first. “What needs to happen first, and what can be answered or done later or by another JLC leader? Things are always challenging, but it makes it all worth it to work with people that I enjoy and who also want to contribute to something bigger.”
Apart from their initial disappointment in not moving to the White House, Christina’s children are generally excited about their mom’s work with the JLC. They ask questions and Christina strives to provide age-appropriate answers. Sometimes her children complain about “another call.” Still, Christina hopes this experience for her children will help them understand the importance of serving their community and that there is more to life than what they see. Through her work, they are developing a connection to the community.
Returning to an active role with the JLC has given Christina the opportunity to meet new leaders and women who inspire her with their positive attitude, commitment and work ethic. “JLC women are about pivoting, engaging, and persevering to serve our community. It’s inspiring.” While the pandemic has left our community holding events and meetings virtually, she hopes we continue to stay involved and see the opportunity that we have as a collective to make a meaningful impact for children in the Charlotte community.
