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Alexandria – Mount Vernon Chapter History and Highlights

Alexandria – Mount Vernon’s Rich History:

The Alexandria-Mount Vernon Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. began as the Alexandria-Mount Vernon Mothers Club. In 1964, the Washington, D.C.Chapter of Jack and Jill sponsored the Alexandria-Mount Vernon Mothers Club as a provisional Chapter. Officially chartered in 1966, the original group of 31 mothers began a tradition of dedication to the collective cultural, social and educational development of their children and service to the community. Ms. Natalie Vaughn, President of the Mothers Club, was the Chapter Organizer.

An Alexandria (Fairfax County) resident, Mrs. Vaughn later became an Eastern Region Member-at Large and an Honorary Life Member of the Chapter. Ms. Crozet Johnson was the first Chapter President. From its inception, the Alexandria-Mount Vernon Chapter has included as members many families who have taken advantage of the numerous resources available throughout the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) area.

Historically, and today, the Chapter’s children enjoy a wide range of monthly age group activities that stimulate their growth and leadership development, and provide them with social, cultural and educational opportunities. These events and activities include museum and theatre visits, the Gavel Club, STEAM and entrepreneurial workshops, and cultural awareness activities. During its half century, the entire Chapter continues annual activities that celebrate the richness of Jack and Jill and its influence such as Jack and Jill Day, Black History Month, and Black Family Day. Prior to Black Family Day becoming a national programming activity, the chapter regularly concluded each year with an annual family picnic.

The Alexandria-Mount Vernon Chapter has a long and rich legacy of community service that consistently supports the aims of the national organization to aid mothers in learning more about their children by careful study and to seek for all children the same advantages which we desire for our own. Examples illustrating this legacy include: donations to the Drew Smith School in the 1970s; the Alexandria NAACP Community Service Award in November 1989; and Jack and Jill Foundation recognition for consecutive years of donating $1000 during the 1980s, The Chapter also maintained membership in the Northern Virginia Urban League and the Fairfax County/Alexandria NAACP Chapters (1980 -2000). In 1982, the Chapter launched its Black Child in the Desegregated School program. Out of this initiative, the chapter sponsored annual PSAT/ SAT workshops, parenting information, and provided ombudsman support.

At the 45th Jack and Jill National Convention in Orlando, Florida in the summer of 2022, the Alexandria Mt. Vernon received the highly-coveted Five Star Chapter recognition for operational excellence. For the 2022-2023 Program Year, the Alexandria–Mount Vernon Chapter membership census is: 65 Mothers, 64 children, 36 Teens, 45 Fathers, and 13 Associates.

Located just minutes away from our nation’s capital, our chapter families are committed to utilizing the numerous available resources to demonstrate and teach our children that they possess “The Power to Make a Difference.” It is with this core philosophy in mind that we develop purposeful programming to chart the path towards continued service and excellence.

Chapter Highlights:

The Alexandria Mount Vernon Chapter was recently recognized at the 2022 National Conference as a 5 Star Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
Our chapter hosted a very special event in honor of Ruby Bridges bravery with the Ruby Bridges Walk to school day on November 13, 2022 that engaged our youth with presentations from Civil Rights Attorney John Britton as well as the presence of one of our chapter’s charter members Mrs. Lillian Patterson
Alexandria Mount Vernon Chapter particpated in the Eastern Region’s Souther Cluster Area Workday October 27-29, 2022 hosted by The Loudon County Chapter. We had 35 mom and eight teens and middle schoolers in attendance representing our 5-Star Chapter!
Dressed in our beautiful Pinks and Blues, our chapter families particpated as volunteers in the annual NoVA Project Giveback on November 19,2022 to support food disparities in our community.

About Jack and Jill of America

The late Marion Stubbs Thomas founded Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, on January 24, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Twenty mothers came together to discuss creating an organization to provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for youth between the ages of 2 and 19. In 1946, 10 chapters were involved in the national restructuring process. The constitution and bylaws were drawn up, and the organization was incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware.

Today, Jack and Jill boasts 262 chapters nationwide, representing more than 50,000 family members.

Each chapter plans annual programming activities guided under our five point programmatic thrust:

Cultural Awareness

We remember the ways of living developed by communities and passed on from generation to generation, including customs, practices, places, objects, artistic expressions and values. Through our cultural heritage we honor and preserve those who are making a difference in our community by teaching our children to cherish their past and be excited about the future.

Educational Development

The core of the Jack and Jill of America philosophy is that every child – if given the proper guidance and opportunity – can be developed into a leader. Whether it is through skill enhancement or understanding the concepts of integrity, Jack and Jill has become a national icon in creating effective leaders.

Social/ Recreational

We are social beings with a need for balance to function and maintain healthy lives. We believe it is necessary to engage our children both socially and recreationally, learning to interact with peers and others in a healthy, positive and productive manner. These activities promote processes that help to refresh and reinvigorate both the mind and body.

Health

Chapters continue to embrace the importance of being more aware of health issues that impact our communities, resulting in an organization that is more health conscious. We are committed to providing healthy behaviors and personal empowerment programming and training for families to live healthy lifestyles.

Civic

Since our inception, we have been committed to legislation aimed at bettering the lives of all children. Past and present legislative advocacy focus has been on violence in the media, health and wellness initiatives, voter registration, responsible gun laws, and equal access to quality education.

Membership

We are a membership organization of mothers with children ages 2 to 19, dedicated to nurturing future Leaders by supporting children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Jack and Jill has 262 local chapters within 7 geographical regions in the United States.

Become a Member

If you are interested in becoming a member of this chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., you must be sponsored by a member(s) of the chapter. You will be invited to attend a meeting where pertinent information, such as the qualifications, cost, selection process, and other information will be discussed

An individual meeting all requirements and qualifications must then be approved by chapter vote to complete the selection process. Each chapter is autonomous and has specific criteria for sponsoring new members.

Legacy Membership

If you are a child or the spouse of a child whose mother graduated from a chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. in good standing and you meet the other criteria for membership, you are eligible for membership as a Legacy Member. Legacy forms can be obtained from our National Office.