Jack and Jill (organization)
| Formation | 1938 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit corporation |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
|
Region served
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United States |
| Website | jackandjillinc.org |
Jack and Jill of America is an African American organization formed during the Great Depression. It was formed in 1938 by African American mothers with the idea of bringing together children in a social and cultural environment. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
The objectives of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated are to “create a medium of contact for children which will stimulate growth and development and provide children constructive educational, cultural, civic, health, recreational and social programs.” Since 1938, the organization continues on, dedicating its resources to improving the quality of life, particularly for all African-American children.
In January 1938, Marion Stubbs Thomas organized a group of twenty-one mothers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with the idea of establishing a social and cultural union for their children. From the beginning, this new club, Jack and Jill, focused on instilling values and leadership skills in their children and providing "all the opportunities possible for a normal and graceful approach to a beautiful adulthood." This group in Philadelphia quickly inspired others to found similar organizations. The second "chapter" of Jack and Jill was established in New York City in 1939, and a third in Washington, D.C. in 1940. The local group became an inter-city association, expanding to Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Maryland, Boston, Buffalo, New York, Columbus, Ohio, Durham, North Carolina and Memphis, Tennessee between 1944 and June 1, 1946 -- the birth date of the national organization. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., Jack and Jill of America, Inc. is divided into seven geographic regions for administrative purposes. Each region has a Director, Treasurer, Secretary and Foundation Member-at-Large, and is represented on a National Executive Board. At present, there are more than 230 Jack and Jill chapters in 35 states across the United States, with more than 10,000 mother members and 40,000 parents and children.
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