black jack excluded chapters read online

When a group of 27 Chicago black women that included the wives of well-known real estate agents, insurance company owners, doctors, lawyers, ministers and morticians united to form the 11th national chapter of Jack and Jill in 1947, they were instantly chided by some residents for being Jack and Jill has journeyed a long road from its early days as a Chicago social club that linked mothers and children from middle-class black neighborhoods such as Chatham, West Chesterfield and Hyde Park. I knew I wanted my children to be in an environment with other black children.'' ''Jills.'' ''I wanted my children to have an identity. ''I went out seeking Jack and Jill,'' said Davis, a mother of three Like many other suburban Jack and Jill mothers, the South Suburban Chapter`s president, Dedra Davis, said she began looking for the organization when she moved to Flossmoor and then Homewood because she did not want her children to be ignorant of their African-American culture.

''A large part of what we do is focused on heritage and culture so the children will be proud of being black, as they should be.'' ''It`s not about assimilating into the white world anymore, not at all,'' said Lynne Palmore, a former advertising agency vice president who serves as president of the Western Cook County chapter. In fitting with their focus on assimilation, the founders chose the name Jack and Jill from the famous nursery rhyme because it symbolized happy, youthful fun. At the national meeting last July in Orlando, for example, the membership considered but defeated a proposal to change the organization`s name.

Nationally, Jack and Jill has evolved as well. In 1992, they are still doing some of these things, but also volunteering time at shelters for the homeless and participating in seminars on black awareness.

In 1952, Jacks and Jills in Chicago went to the ballet and the symphony, enjoyed horseback riding and worked constantly on etiquette. The changed mission of Jack and Jill is evident from the change in activities it sponsors. But from 1975 to 1988, 74 new chapters formed-many in suburban towns and communities.

From 1962 to 1975, 39 new chapters of Jack and Jill were established, according to a history of the organization. The growth patterns appear to have been similar at the national level.

Black jack excluded chapters read online