Loudoun County Virginia Chapter of
Jack & Jill of America, Inc.
Chapter History
In February of 2001, Janice Bryan was contacted by Francene H. Robinson, president of the Reston Chapter of Jack & Jill of America, Inc. concerning several residents of Loudoun County Virginia who were seeking membership into the Reston Chapter. Knowing that Janice had recently moved to Loudoun County, and had been a member of the Alexandria/Mount Vernon Chapter, Francene asked Janice if she would organize chapter for Loudoun County, as the Reston Chapter had very few openings for new members. Accepting the task, Janice wrote a letter to the National Vice President, Dr. Catherine Collins, stating a desire to have a chapter of Jack & Jill in Loudoun County.
On Sunday, March 18, 2001, Janice invited the prospective mothers who had been referred by the Reston Chapter, along with other interested mothers from Loudoun County for an afternoon tea at her home in Ashburn, Virginia. Over thirty excited mothers met to discuss organizing a formal interest group in Loudoun County. There was an overwhelming positive response to starting a mothers’ group with an emphasis on providing advantages for their own children as well as other African-American children in the community. This enthusiasm inspired these mothers to continue the process of becoming a provisional chapter.
The first official interest group meeting was held at Sherri Robinson’s home on September 16, 2001. It was there that the interest group was named Umoja for the Children. Officers were elected at that meeting and included: Lena Hickman-Miott, 1st president; Kimberly Jenkins, 2nd president; Jacqueline Williams, vice–president; Alisha Hall, parliamentarian; Joni Blizzard, treasurer; Harvetta Spann, recording secretary; Sherri Robinson, corresponding secretary; LaSheryl Stokes, financial secretary; Patricia Harris, historian; Twana Ballard, program director; Stacy Clark, editor; Janice Bryan, Advisor.
Umoja for the Children was granted official chapter status as the Loudoun County Virginia Chapter (LCVC) at the 2002 National Jack & Jill of America Inc. Convention in Los Angeles, California. Installation took place on August 25, 2002 at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Virginia. Charter members of LCVC included: Twana Ballard,, Lynn Belcher, Lisa Bostic, Staci Bostic-Clark, Sharon Brower, Janice Bryan, Carol Bryant, Dr. Linda Coleman, Yvette Collins, Diane Conroe, Charlene Cook, Carlene Donnelly, Elayne Gomes-Battle, Alisha Hall, Lena Hickman-Miott, Angela Coates-Ivey, Wendy Bonds-Janowski, Kimberly Jenkins, Jennifer Jones, Wendy Levy, Harriet Miller, Daphne Mustafa, Denise Pulliam, Sherri Robinson, Tamara Russell, Gloria Salter, Paula Smith-Adams, Belinda Smith-Martin, Harvetta Spann, LaSheryl Stokes, Tamu Tatum, Clarine Vaughn, Jacqueline Williams. Loudoun County Virginia Chapter of Jack & Jill Fathers’ Auxiliary attended the installation during a special portion of the ceremony and signed the New Member Initiation Ceremony for Fathers, the first Fathers’ Auxiliary to do so in the Eastern Region.
The premier year of the Loudoun County Virginia Chapter was very productive. LCVC started the year preparing for its first fundraiser, a White & Black Jack Casino Night held in March 2003. The proceeds went to the Loudoun County Department of Social Services and the American Diabetes Association. During the holiday season, the chapter donated money to a family affiliated with the Loudoun County Department of Social Services. Teen Umoja spearheaded a coat drive for two months and donated the coats to the Loudoun County Department of Social Services’ Holiday Coalition Store. The chapter’s donated items served over 1,000 residents in the county.
LCVC enjoyed other activities, such as the Chapter’s Holiday & Community Service Party held in December of 2002. Each family prepared a food item and enjoyed good food and fellowship. The children enjoyed making crafts with assistance from Teen Umoja. In May, the family picnic was held where the children enjoyed a moon bounce and delicious food. In June, LCVC attended its first Children’s Cluster in Maryland where the oldest child in attendance, Calvin Williams II, age 6 represented the Chapter by completing the roll call. In July of 2003, the chapter attended its first Regional Conference as a new chapter.
Groups for the children include: Daffodils & Dinosaurs, Sugar & Spice, Umoja Unlimited, and Teen Umoja. Children from 2 to 12 years visited the pumpkin patch, enjoyed the Christmas party, financial workshops, service activities and end of the year picnic. Teens from Teen Umoja attended the Teen Conference in March. During this conference, Britney Martin was awarded the Distinguished Teen Chapter Award and Chalais Massard, a straight “A” honors student received an Academic Award. The teens attended teen business meetings, cluster workshops, and visited Hampton University. Other teen activities included: volunteering their time with terminally ill children during Halloween, stocking/sorting/packing supplies at the Loudoun County Department of Social Services’ Thrift Store and Holiday Coalition Store, playing games with the elderly at a nursing home, collecting and donating clothing to shelters and feeding the homeless.
Presidents for the Loudoun County Virginia Chapter of Jack & Jill include: Lena Hickman-Miott, 2001-2003, Jacqueline Williams, 2003-2005, Harvetta Spann, 2005-2007, Clarine Vaughn, 2007-present.