The Junto Cub began in 1924 as a venue for stimulating conversation and discussion based on shared reading and study. The founding members were Mary Neal Allen Smith Carnes, Josie Andrews Dimon, Mary Cozart Burns, Isabel McKee Lewis, Hellen Mullino Newton, Isabel Lyman Blackmar and Bessie Mary Dudley Baird. They consulted with The Women's Reading Club and the Student's Group about the organization and direction of the new club. After some discussion, they chose the name Junto, which means a group of persons joined for a common purpose. It appealed to the charter members since it was the name Benjamin Franklin chose for his own study group and lending library. According to its constitution, "The purpose of this organization shall be to enkindle an intelligent appreciation and understanding of Letters and Arts of all time." Each year a theme is chosen, and papers presented to the club each meeting by various members. Their program year runs from September through May with two meetings per month. Minutes were kept of meetings in the early years, but there are no known surviving copies.