JA History :: Our Story

1940 to 1949

During the 1940s JA creates new events that include:

● National Association of Junior Achievement Companies (NAJAC), a conference for students in the JA Companies

● Future Unlimited Banquets, sponsored by businesses to recognize the outstanding leadership of JA Companies

● Company Trade Fairs that display and sell company products

December 5, 1941 - Mr. Hook and Mr. Moses extend invitations to prominent businessmen across the country to meet in New York City. The goal is to interest them in the expansion of Junior Achievement. More than 750 leading business executives representing 29 states and the District of Columbia attend. The meeting adjourns with all parties interested.

1941 - Expansion plans are revised as the United States plunges into WWII. Many JA companies are involved in the war effort. One company contracts to manufacture 10,000 pant hangers for the Army, while another finds an abandoned locomotive and obtains permission to dismantle its engine for scrap metal.

August 27, 1942 - Horace Moses and his board resign turning the reins over to metro New York City. Charles R. Hook becomes the new president of the board, and determines the organization should focus on economics. The board also decides that new JA cities will pay 20 percent of their income to the national headquarters. JA staff members around the country are now associates of JA Inc.

1945 - JA cities begin recruiting in schools – the number of JA programs reaches 214. The number of youth involved increases from 2000 to 7000. The national board allows for local autonomy and lowers the fee JA cities pay to the national headquarters to 10 percent. 

1949 - JA grows to include 27 cities in 18 states. The JA Company Program reaches 12,409 students. 

 

 

Read the book Junior Achievement: A History by Joe Francomano and Wayne & Darryl Lavitt to learn more about the history of Junior Achievement.