On June 19, 1947, 15-year-old Betty Gorham (b. 1931) became the first person to join the IJA two days after the 13 charter members formed the organization at the International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention in Pittsburgh, Pa. She went on to a successful career as a touring professional juggler that continued into the 1970s, and later worked in the handbalancing act of her her husband, Ken Willer. A past IJA officer, Betty Gorham Willer was designated an Honorary Life Member in 1996.