National History
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On January 24, 1938, Marion Turner Stubbs Thomas – a concert pianist and mother – invited 20 women friends to a meeting in her Philadelphia home. According to sources, she envisioned a social club that would connect her children with others from local Black families at a time when cultural opportunities were limited for most young African-Americans during the Great Depression and because of Jim Crow laws. In his book Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class, author Lawrence Otis Graham mentioned Marion was the daughter of Dr. John P. Turner, a surgeon who was the first black on Philadelphia’s board of education. She was born in Philadelphia and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1930.
Marion also attended the Sorbonne, then returned to the United States and married a thoracic surgeon, Frederick Douglas Stubbs in 1934. After Stubbs died, Marion married Detroit physician Alf Thomas. They raised three daughters in Jack and Jill, and the daughters went on to raise their own children in the organization as well. |
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From Marion’s idea and the support of several others, the first chapter of Jack and Jill of America was organized. It has since grown into 230 chapters in the United States and Germany and has become “one of the country's most prestigious service organizations of Black families.”
As new members were welcomed, and then new chapters formed, the aims and ideals of Jack and Jill were strengthened, always with our children as the focal point. To us as mothers it has become a means of furthering an inherent and natural desire – the desire to bestow upon our children all the opportunities possible for a normal and graceful approach to a beautiful adulthood.
As new members were welcomed, and then new chapters formed, the aims and ideals of Jack and Jill were strengthened, always with our children as the focal point. To us as mothers it has become a means of furthering an inherent and natural desire – the desire to bestow upon our children all the opportunities possible for a normal and graceful approach to a beautiful adulthood.
Philadelphia Chapter Mothers, 1947
The following statement was taken from an article by Mrs. Thomas, which appeared in the first issue of the official Jack and Jill of America publication Up The Hill. She describes the “start and rapid growth of Jack and Jill.”
“It is with deep and, I hope pardonable pride that I look back over the first ten years in the life of Jack and Jill. When the first little group of us organized in January 1939 in Philadelphia, we were seeking to stimulate a social and cultural relationship between our children.
When I contacted the mothers and suggested a meeting to discuss plans for our new club, they were all enthusiastic and responded in a manner which was heart-warming. Little did we dream at the time that this idea, which was so important and inspiring to us, would grow to such proportions.
As new members were welcomed, and then new chapters formed, the aims and ideals of Jack and Jill were strengthened, always with our children as the focal point. To us as mothers it has become a means of furthering an inherent and natural desire – the desire to bestow upon our children all the opportunities possible for a normal and graceful approach to a beautiful adulthood.
It is intensely satisfying to predict a nationwide group of mothers and children bound together by similar interests and ideals. As we grow in numbers and achievements, may we always keep before us the lofty principle upon which Jack and Jill of America was founded.”
“It is with deep and, I hope pardonable pride that I look back over the first ten years in the life of Jack and Jill. When the first little group of us organized in January 1939 in Philadelphia, we were seeking to stimulate a social and cultural relationship between our children.
When I contacted the mothers and suggested a meeting to discuss plans for our new club, they were all enthusiastic and responded in a manner which was heart-warming. Little did we dream at the time that this idea, which was so important and inspiring to us, would grow to such proportions.
As new members were welcomed, and then new chapters formed, the aims and ideals of Jack and Jill were strengthened, always with our children as the focal point. To us as mothers it has become a means of furthering an inherent and natural desire – the desire to bestow upon our children all the opportunities possible for a normal and graceful approach to a beautiful adulthood.
It is intensely satisfying to predict a nationwide group of mothers and children bound together by similar interests and ideals. As we grow in numbers and achievements, may we always keep before us the lofty principle upon which Jack and Jill of America was founded.”
Philadelphia Chapter Children, 1938
About Jack & Jill
Jack and Jill boasts 271 chapters nationwide, representing more than 50,000 family members. Each chapter plans annual programming activities guided under a general five point programmatic thrust:
Through service projects, Jack and Jill of America creates a medium of contact for children to stimulate their growth and development. Through lobbying, educational programming, dissemination of education materials, and the organization of community and charitable events, Jack and Jill has promoted the public awareness and interests of children including child development, child growth, child quality of life, child care and the promotion of children’s rights.
- Cultural awareness
- Educational development
- Health (education and advocacy)
- Civic (legislative advocacy and service)
- Social/recreational areas
Through service projects, Jack and Jill of America creates a medium of contact for children to stimulate their growth and development. Through lobbying, educational programming, dissemination of education materials, and the organization of community and charitable events, Jack and Jill has promoted the public awareness and interests of children including child development, child growth, child quality of life, child care and the promotion of children’s rights.
Programs
Our programs are primarily centered around leadership development, awareness of cultural heritage and community service. To these ends, we have established multifaceted initiatives such as STE[A]M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math), the Healthy Living Initiative (centered on lifestyle improvements and healthy development) and various projects with our national and local partners. The philosophy we embrace is one of holistic enrichment of our youth and, by extension, our communities. Our national theme is The Power to Make a Difference.
Within the Columbus, OH Chapter, programming highlights include donating supplies to HBCU students, toys to underprivileged children, warm weather gear to several homeless shelters and annually, on the MLK Day of service, we provide meal delivery to the elderly.
In 2023, our Senior Teen Group met with United States Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. The teens engaged in discussion on the legislative process, using the topic of eliminating gun violence in schools. Congresswoman Beatty led the teens in an activity that allowed them to create real solutions she could take back to Congress and present their ideas on gun violence prevention. Congresswoman Beatty presented the teens with a challenge medal to go out and be the change they want to see in the world. She also presented the teens with a Congressional proclamation and invited them to Washington, D.C. to share their ideas with the Congressional Black Caucus. She recorded each teen’s name, grade, and high school and recognized the names before Congress so that they will be written in the annals of history.
Within the Columbus, OH Chapter, programming highlights include donating supplies to HBCU students, toys to underprivileged children, warm weather gear to several homeless shelters and annually, on the MLK Day of service, we provide meal delivery to the elderly.
In 2023, our Senior Teen Group met with United States Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. The teens engaged in discussion on the legislative process, using the topic of eliminating gun violence in schools. Congresswoman Beatty led the teens in an activity that allowed them to create real solutions she could take back to Congress and present their ideas on gun violence prevention. Congresswoman Beatty presented the teens with a challenge medal to go out and be the change they want to see in the world. She also presented the teens with a Congressional proclamation and invited them to Washington, D.C. to share their ideas with the Congressional Black Caucus. She recorded each teen’s name, grade, and high school and recognized the names before Congress so that they will be written in the annals of history.
Father's Auxiliary
While mothers hold the membership in Jack and Jill of America, Inc., we realize that fathers play a vital role in helping to achieve our mission. We encourage the involvement of fathers at every level of the organization to assist mothers in delivering programming that stimulates the growth and development of our children and all children. As evidence of our belief in the importance of fathers to our organization, the Father’s Auxiliary is one of only three designated standing committees in our organization. The National Father’s Auxiliary Committee consists of one representative from each region, and the committee chair, which rotates among the regions, is appointed by the National President.
One of the primary objectives of the National Father’s Auxiliary is to encourage involvement of fathers at the local, regional and national level. This is done by establishing a line of communication between each region and all chapters who choose to have a Father’s Auxiliary to share information and ideas.
One of the primary objectives of the National Father’s Auxiliary is to encourage involvement of fathers at the local, regional and national level. This is done by establishing a line of communication between each region and all chapters who choose to have a Father’s Auxiliary to share information and ideas.
Associates
Mothers who have tenured out of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated can continue to give back to the organization as an Associate. A mother may become an Associate member of the organization when either the youngest child completes high school or when the youngest child reaches age twenty and the mother completes tenure in good standing. Associates and Associate Groups add value to our organization by supporting their local chapters and the Jack and Jill of America Foundation. They strengthen our organization by addressing the unique needs of Jack and Jill by embracing the institutional knowledge and wisdom of our tenured members.