Our History
The Power to Make a Difference
Motto: Let’s work, let’s play, let’s live together!
Our History
Founded in 1938, Jack & Jill of America, Incorporated, is a non-profit community service, family organization with mothers holding membership. The mission of Jack & Jill of America is to improve the quality of life for children, particularly African American children. Jack & Jill of America is recognized d by the Internal Revenue as a 501(C)(4) organization. This means that Jack & Jill of America is a not-for-profit organization and is operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare. The “promotion of social welfare” means that our organization primarily furthers the common good and general welfare of the people.
The Waco Chapter
It was in the Fall of 1955 that a group of sixteen interested mothers saw the need for the Waco Community to be enhanced by an organization which helped to unify the Black family and promote cultural, civic, religious and educational activities for Black youth. In the fall of 1956, one year later, the Waco Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated had its birth. The chapter’s first president was Mrs. Jewel Graham.
Our Illustrious Charter Members Are:
Mrs. Eula Arnic (Henry)
Mrs. Vera Dever
Mrs. Flourine Green
Mrs. Jewel Graham
Mrs. Dolores Harris
Mrs. Nanette Hutchison
Mrs. Theresa Jackson
Mrs. Virgil Lane
Mrs. Bettie Peoples
Mrs. Dorothy Radford
Mrs. Theresa Ritcherson
Mrs. Lillie Tann
Mrs. Gloria Warren
Mrs. Loyce Wilkins
Mrs. Margaret Wilson
Mrs. Odessa Wilson
The Waco chapter hosted a Mothers’ and Teen Conference in June 1961, a Teen conference in June of 1972, a Mothers’ conference in July 1979 and a Teen conference in June 1986. The Waco chapter has also hosted several Area Retreats in the past.
Members in the Waco chapter to hold regional offices were Mrs. Gloria Gerald-Warren, Secretary-Treasurer 1961-1964 and Mrs. Ethel Hamilton-King, Secretary-Treasurer 1977-1979. Mrs. Ethel King also served as Regional Parliamentarian and Nominating Committee Chair and Regional Associates Chair 1991-1995. Mrs. Ethel King served as National Nominating Committee Chair in 1976.
Waco Chapter teens to hold regional offices were: Ms. Delores Warren-Walker, Ms. Sheryl Warren, Ms. Debra Harris Vice-President, Edwin D. King, 1978-1979 Teen President, Mrs. Rhonda King-Harmon, 1980-1981 Teen President, Johnny Neal, 1988-1989 Teen President and Odell Woodson, Jr. 2009 Regional Time Keeper.
The Chapter currently, after a revamping process, presents Debutantes and Beaux annually at a Cotillion Ball. The participants over the course of 8 months participate in a leadership conference, etiquette training courses, ball room dancing lessons and must complete at least 20 hours of community service. The last 2 years have produced a total of 11 participants in our Cotillion process. They have all matriculated into college and are thriving!
The Waco chapter’s local projects include:
Feast of Sharing, Doris Miller YMCA, Caritas, Jack & Jill of America Foundation, TSTC Women’s Resource Center, Children’s Cluster (Host– April 2009), Hillcrest Hospital (Valentine’s Day Cards for those hospitalized), Woodland Springs Nursing Home (Sunshine Flower Project and Christmas Ornaments), Carver Park Baptist Church (Feed My Flock Meals for the Homeless), Tolliver Baptist Church (Thanksgiving Baskets), J.H. Hines Elementary School Family Day, American Heart Association (Jump Rope for Heart and Jazzing for a Healthy Heart), Boys and Girls Club.
The Waco Chapter has come a long way since 1956. We have had our ups and downs but we are like the Phoenix that rises from the ashes!
One of our two active associate members, Gloria Farrow, was honored in 2010 at Area Work Day in the Woodlands for 25 years of service to Jack and Jill of America.
Mrs. Farrow has served as Teen Sponsor for the Austin Chapter before moving her membership to Waco. Her hard work and dedication has lead to success for both the Austin and Waco chapters. Mrs. Farrow took a short leave of absence but recently has become active again as an associate with Waco’s current members to give us guidance and leadership as we work to rebuild our chapter. We are grateful to Mrs. Farrow for her wonderful work and we thoroughly enjoy working with her as an associate member.
Our second associate member has just completed her tenure as an active mom. Debra McDavid, who will participate this year as an associate, is excited to transition into her new role with our chapter!
Another “Historical” member of the Waco Chapter of Jack and Jill of America was Ethel D. Hamilton King (1934-2006). Mrs. King became a member of the Waco Chapter in 1961. She was a cornerstone with the Waco Chapter and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. held a special place in her heart. Ethel served as a National Nominating Committee Chairperson, Regional Secretary-Treasurer (1977-1979), Regional Parliamentarian, Regional Associate Chairperson (1991-1995), and served in each office of the local Waco Chapter. She was the first Chairperson of both the Waco Debutante and Beautillion Society Balls in 1964 and 1975 respectively. She was a life member of Jack and Jill of America and served as Lead Teen Sponsor until her transition in 2006. Ethel is the only member of the national organization with consecutive membership for 45 years! The national organization named her “The Diva” of the South Central Region of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She was honored with numerous awards and certificates during her lifetime by Jack and Jill of America as well as various organizations with whom she was associated.
We are proud to have both Mrs. Farrow and Mrs. King as part of our Waco Chapter history and we celebrate their achievements with our diligence and hard work as a chapter!
Most recently the Waco Chapter has looked to expand our community service efforts to include Breast cancer awareness support and financially supporting an East Waco Little League baseball team. We are ever reaching in our endeavors to honor our past and celebrate our future as our children grow!
