It was a day for pomp and pageantry on Sunday when Jack and Jill of America, Memphis Chapter converged on Midtown’s Hattiloo Theatre for a matinee performance of “A Song For Coretta.”
“Moms,” dressed in black with pink hats and big personalities, highlighted their 81st Founders’ Day with a performance of the presently running drama celebrating the life and work of Coretta King, the iconic widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The stage production focuses around five women whose lives converge outside the church where Mrs. King’s funeral is scheduled, creating an intriguing inter-generational, diverse banter regarding the legendary mother and social justice advocate who rose to national prominence following her husband’s tragic death.
Dialogue in the production becomes meaningful to the young and unpolished “Keisha” as she learns through the older characters the grace and dignity of Mrs. King. The dialogue continued after the production as audience members asked questions about how the actresses brought their characters to life.
Important themes of nurturing the young and teaching them their history and heritage were important takeaways from Pearl Cleage, the playwright.
A parade of presidents featured past leaders of the Memphis Chapter, and a champagne toast to the organization’s new National Editor, Gina Williams-Jackson, followed the play and kicked off the reception and party, complete with live music, lots of food, and social media “Wish you were here” posts.
“We are so proud to welcome you to the 81st National Founders’ Day celebration,” said Memphis President Vanecia B. Kimbrow, Esquire.
“This is the 73rd year of the Memphis Chapter, the best local chapter in the southeast.”
Williams-Jackson thanked Jack and Jill members and her family for her support.
“I appreciate the Memphis Chapter for all the encouragement and support I received while seeking a national office,” she said. “But I also want to thank my family — my husband and my children. Most evenings, I am on a conference call when my husband gets home. But we’re the Jackson 5, my husband and my children. They have had some meals that just weren’t the best. But they stuck with me. I would not have gotten this office without them.”
Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated, was founded January 24, 1938 in Philadelphia. Twenty mothers held a meeting under the leadership of Marion Stubbs Thomas, a socialite and doctor’s wife who envisioned an organization that would enrich African-American children with social and cultural clarity. This was during the Great Depression and a country deeply segregated by race and class.
It became a national organization on June 1, 1946 when representatives of the local group voted to broaden the organization’s membership nationwide.
The second National convention was held in 1947 in Columbus, Ohio, where plans were formulated to sponsor new groups in accordance to the governing documents. The constitution and by-laws were drawn up and Jack and Jill of America was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August 28, 1947.
Individual chapters devise a plan of action geared toward addressing community issues which affect children. Local installments of the organization often engage in collaborative work with children and family groups
Since its inception, Jack and Jill of America has rejected the label, “elitist,” although many members are affluent, professional women who are highly educated and well-connected socially. The national organization cites being involved in activities and projects “for the betterment of all children.
The Memphis Chapter was started by Lillian Perry who, like Mrs. Thomas of the national organization, was the wife of a physician. She was previously a member of Jack and Jill in Philadelphia and expressed to a friend that she wanted to begin a chapter in Memphis. The local chapter was officially chartered on August 28, 1946, and is one of the first 10 chapters established.
The Memphis Chapter currently includes more than 300 mothers, fathers, children and teens.
Today, Jack and Jill of America boasts more than 10,000 members in 224 chapters.
