Jack and Jill of America is a leadership organization[1] formed during the Great Depression.[2][3] African American mothers founded it in 1938 with the intention of bringing kids together in a social and cultural setting. It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. The organization aims to improve the quality of life of children, particularly African-American children.[1]
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.[4]
History
In January 1938, Marion Stubbs Thomas, a woman of "mulatto" ancestry, organized a group of twenty-one mothers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to establish a social and cultural union for their children. The group included a number of Black Catholics, one of the largest religious groups in Philadelphia.[5][6][7]