Tobye Karl and family

HARTFORD – Tobye Karl of West Hartford is the recipient of the 2013 Junior League of Hartford’s (JLH) President’s Award. Established in 1985, the award recognizes individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the programs and philosophies of the Junior League of Hartford.

“Tobye Karl has embodied the spirit of promoting volunteerism, improving the community, and developing the potential of women since joining the JLH in 1975,” said Sarah Thrall, 2012-2013 JLH president, in announcing the award. “Her fondest memories are of working on the Junior League Project, ‘Art Goes to School,’ in which volunteers entered elementary schools weekly to teach classes on art appreciation. Tobye continued to teach at the schools and is still recognized by parents, teachers, and students alike. Recently, while attending a museum with her grandchildren, she was reminded of this JLH program as she was amazed at what she had learned about art and was now able to share with them.  Since those years of active membership in the JLH (and general meetings, Clothes Horse shifts, various projects, and working alongside lifelong friends), Tobye has literally taken volunteering to the next level.”