Members of the Milwaukee Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. share a long and proud history that spans more than 60 years. The seeds of our legacy were planted in 1950 when Mildred Carr relocated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin from Indiana. Having been familiar with Jack and Jill in that state, it was her desire to unite mothers with similar goals and ideals for their children and form a chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. in Milwaukee. Her unrelenting efforts to organize a chapter in the city resulted in the Milwaukee Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. being chartered in June of 1952. The group held its first organizational meeting at Milwaukee’s North Central YMCA with Mrs. Carr as host. Other founding members in attendance were Frances Starms, Pauline Coggs, Marian Atkinson, Clarice Harris and May Mitchell.
Throughout the years, the Milwaukee Chapter has grown in strength, community presence and membership. Recent chapter highlights include: current membership of 37 active mothers; 57 children ranging from Pre-Kindergarten to 12th grade; a Father’s Auxiliary and Associates group, both of which received charters in 2001. Milwaukee hosted the 2002 Mid- Western Regional Teen Conference, the 2004, 2010, and 2016 Mid-Western Region Children’s Clusters, and the 2011 Illinois Area Workday Cluster.
The Chapter is honored to have among its members, Jacqueline Moore Bowles, the 21st National President of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Jacque served two-terms each as National President (2006-2010), Mid-Western Regional Director (2003-2006), and the Milwaukee Chapter President (1999-2003).
The focus of the Milwaukee Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. has remained the same since its inception sixty-five years ago and that is to nurture and enrich the lives of not only its own children, but others as well by providing constructive educational, cultural, civic, and social programming for its youth.
