About Us

History of Jack and Jill

"To us as mothers, it (Jack and Jill) has become a means of furthering an inherent and natural desire  to bestow upon our children all the opportunities possible for a normal and graceful approach to beautiful adulthood"
Marion Stubbs Thomas, Founder

Today, Jack and Jill boasts over 220 chapters nationwide, representing over 30,000 family members. Each chapter plans annual programming activities guided under a national theme. Through service projects, Jack and Jill of America creates a medium of contact for children to stimulate their growth and development.

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 which would provide social, cultural and educational opportunities for youth between the ages of two and nineteen.

In 1946, ten chapters were involved in the national restructuring process. Constitution and bylaws were drawn up and the organization was incorporated under the laws of the state of Delaware.

Creation of Bucks County Chapter

On February 22, 1987, this group of mothers requested a meeting with the National Vice President of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Mrs. Charlie Mae Brown. The meeting was held and the group was informed of the procedural steps necessary to become eligible for Jack and Jill Provisional Chapter status. The Philadelphia Chapter became our sponsor, with Mrs. Ethel Gibson as liaison. The election of officers for the Provisional group took place April 26, 1987. The officers elected were as follows: Pearline A. Greene, President: Linda Bodley, Vice President; Linda W. Revelle, Treasurer; Cynthia Z. Williams, Financial Secretary; Charlotte Artis, Recording Secretary; Gloria J. Wright, Parliamentarian; Cheryl A. Cross, Historian; Helen Kirksey, Editor-Journalist; and Gloria S. Lewis, Chaplin.

Today, the Bucks County Chapter stands 42 members strong.  We pay homage to our courageous founders who paved the way for us and we uphold their vision and fortitude.

The Bucks County Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. evolved from a provisional group of concerned African American mothers in Bucks County, PA, who desired to organize cultural, social, and service activities, under the auspices of Jack and Jill for their children.

On July 19, 1988, Pearline served as delegate at the National Convention in San Francisco, California. During this convention, the National delegation voted unanimously for the Bucks County Provisional Group to become the Bucks County Provisional Chapter.

Mrs. Pearline A. Greene

Founder and First President of the
Bucks County Chapter

Founder

Mrs. Marion Stubbs Thomas

Our national headquarters is located in the Strivers Row Historic District of
Washington, DC

To obtain more information about Jack and Jill of America Inc. please visit our national website Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Bucks County Charter Chapter Members