The Junior League of Minneapolis is pleased to announce that Alice Mortenson is the recipient of the 2025 Katharine Phelps Achievement Award.

Throughout her decades of service to the community, Alice has led with both heart and intention creating space for others to lead alongside her. Her approach has always been rooted in inclusion and collaboration, recognizing that lasting change comes from lifting up every voice. Whether advocating for families through the Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery, supporting youth at the YWCA, or strengthening diverse community partnerships through the Mortenson Family Foundation, Alice has worked to open doors and expand opportunity for all, especially within communities historically underrepresented in leadership.

Her legacy mirrors the Junior League of Minneapolis’ own commitment to advancing equity and belonging, empowering women from all backgrounds to lead change that matters. As the League continues its mission to build a more just and vibrant Twin Cities, Alice’s example serves as both a guidepost and an invitation: leadership grounded in empathy and shared purpose has the power to unite and transform communities.

She will be honored at a celebration on Thursday, November 13 at The Minikahda Club. 

About the Katharine Phelps Achievement Award

The Katharine Phelps Achievement Award is named for a founding member of the Junior League of Minneapolis, its first president in 1923. The award celebrates an outstanding member of the Junior League of Minneapolis, who—throughout her lifetime—has used her talents and resources to improve the social and economic conditions of others. Through advocacy, collaboration, philanthropy, direct service and community education, the award recipient embraces her community and makes a unique and significant difference as a leader. She emulates the founder’s sense of social responsibility and giving spirit, as well as her ability to empower others to be effective volunteers.

Previous recipients of the Katharine Phelps Achievement Award include: Nancy Lindahl (2006); Sue Hodder (2007); Carol Truesdell (2008); Emily Anne Staples Tuttle (2009); Marilyn Carlson Nelson (2010); Marilyn Tickle Bryant (2011); Luella Goldberg (2012); Maxine Houghton Wallin (2013); Barbara Gray Koch (2014); Diana Hageboeck (2015);  Leslie Turner (2016); Patty Murphy (2017); Barbara Foster (2019); Anne Carrier (2020) and Catherine “Kit” Schmoker (2022). 

About the Junior League of Minneapolis

The Junior League of Minneapolis is an organization of women whose mission is to advance women’s leadership for meaningful community impact through volunteer action, collaboration, and training. Visit our website at jlminneapolis.org and follow The Junior League of Minneapolis on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn to learn more.