For Mitzi Ambrose-Washington, being a Sustainer is about guiding Junior League Members toward being the most effective volunteers possible. Her most important piece of advice? True to The Association of Junior League International’s Mission, creating meaningful community impact requires not just volunteer action, but training and collaboration with other Leagues and community partners.

“I encourage all Members to look beyond the League you’re in—take on learning and training opportunities across the community and the League,” says Ambrose-Washington. “What you and [your League] will get out of those will be beyond what you can imagine.”

Before she became a Sustainer, Ambrose spent 20 years as an Active Junior League Member, including serving as the Junior League of Bronxville’s first Black President from 2016-2017. She was also Membership Vice President, Public Affairs Chair, and Grants Chair, where she prioritized developing leadership roles for women across her League, encouraging diversity in membership, and building relationships between local partners and League Leaders to grow the reach of the Junior League of Bronxville. In addition to developing new leaders in the provisional classes, some of her most impactful initiatives were starting the Mobile Food Pantry in Yonkers, leading and organizing the Community Advisory Board breakfasts with community partners, as well as leading coat drives and diaper drives.

Ambrose-Washington’s experience in The Junior League has benefitted her in other volunteer roles. She is Board President of The Guidance Center of Westchester, and is passionate about staying involved with community organizations that help with neighborhood health and family needs. She is the American Heart Association of Westchester’s Woman of Impact for 2021 and Woman of Impact Chair for 2022. Whether volunteering in her community, at work in pharmaceutical sales, or spending time with family, Ambrose-Washington strives to be an “everyday hero” for her daughter and future generations.