Jack & Jill Teens Long Beach

Phoenix Arizona record breaking temperatures ie. 118 degrees + 250 or so teens, at a regional conference for 4 days = a lot of fun & sleepless nights.

Jack and Jill 75 years

We attended the annual Far West Region Jack and Jill teen conference held this year at Arizona State. Reggie and I along with a few other moms from our chapter were chaperones. I have been a member of Jack & Jill, since Reggie was 2. Jack and Jill is an African-American nationwide family organization that was founded by the late Marion Stubbs Thomas in 1938. The organization was formed during the depression, an extremely segregated time in our country. The  focus was creating an environment for African-American children to stimulate social, cultural, educational and civic programs. Jack and Jill celebrated 75 years and is still going strong with 220 chapters with over 30,000 members nationwide.

Plenary Session

Some may question is there still a need for Jack and Jill? Times are different now, we even have President Barack Obama! We live in a suburb, where my children were always one of a few African-American families in their school and neighborhood, I wanted them to be exposed to other children who looked like them.  I wanted my daughter to not feel like a “show N tell” exhibit every time she changed her hair from braids, to a press and curl or a natural hair style.  There are many groups like Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, National Charity League, Assistance League, etc., we participate in these organizations as well.

Reggie & Reggie

If I had any doubt about the validity of Jack & Jill, I can recall an incidence when my son was about 10, and I was picking him up from my neighbor/girlfriend, who is also African-American. The three of us were standing outside in broad daylight about 4 in the afternoon, when a car drove by and the occupants shouted “Niggers”, I felt so awful and helpless when I looked down at my son. Or when prom time came around and everyone was pairing up to go, and no one asked my daughter, all I had to do was pick up the phone and call one of my Jack & Jill sisters and my daughter had an escort. I have met some of my lifelong friends in Jack & Jill. We all strive to raise our children to be leaders in our society, and to make a difference in this world.

Let’s Work, Let’s Play, Let’s Live Together…

Senior Charis

We are so proud of our senior Charis, btw she recently completed her Gold Award, the highest honor bestowed on a Girl Scout and has completed over 500 community service hours.

Wearing our uninterrupted “White”

Yes some of our “rules” are 75 years old, but it is nice to see everyone dressed for a change. Matter of fact on the drive back home we could not just speed by the outlet in cabazon, so of course I was thrilled to find a pair a white Prada pumps…

Prada Pumps

Hope you had a good weekend and stayed cool.

Xoxo,

GIGI

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