ADOPTED - MAY 8, 2007

 Agenda Item No. 10

Introduced by Commissioner Dale Copedge of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION HONORING THE GREATER LANSING CHAPTER OF JACK & JILL OF AMERICA, INC.

RESOLUTION #07-112

WHEREAS, Jack & Jill of America, Inc. was founded January 24, 1938 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as a result of a meeting of twenty mothers, under the leadership of Marion Stubbs Thomas, with the idea of bringing together children in a social and cultural environment; and

WHEREAS, in 1978, a group of six mothers from Lansing, East Lansing and Okemos met to discuss the unique challenges that confront children in terms of their residence and schooling in predominantly white social environments; and

WHEREAS, as a result of their discussions, the six mothers --  Sharon Cardwell, Harriett Gillum, Carrie B. Jackson, Sarah Vern King, Patricia Little and Jamille Webster -- decided to reach out to other families in the area and began to collectively provide their children with varied experiences related to their Black Heritage; and

WHEREAS, the newly created network of families, known as “Our Group” eventually included over twenty families; and

WHEREAS, in January of 1980, the Regional Office of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. contacted “Our Group” to explore the mutual benefits of affiliation, the required application was submitted and accepted  by Jack & Jill of America, Inc. in 1981; and 

WHEREAS, the Greater Lansing Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc., was chartered by the National Office on March 12, 1982; and

WHEREAS, the Greater Lansing Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. is celebrating its 25th Anniversary.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners hereby congratulates the Greater Lansing Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. on the event of their 25th anniversary and wishes them continued success.