Our Story
Our Chapter’s Founding
In the spring of 2007, three mothers had a vision --- to expand opportunities for like-minded mothers in Prince George’s County to engage their children in leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving and civic duty. Through their shared friendship, devotion to family and collective commitment to servant leadership, Darlene W. Brooks, Maranda Jones-Anderson and Sondra G. Petty found the courage to blaze new trails to form a second chapter of Jack and Jill in America, Incorporated within the county.
This small yet dynamic group of mothers, the Marvelous & Magnificent Moms of Maryland (M&M Moms), formed an interest group, and elected Sondra G. Petty as its first President.
In July 2010, 23 M&M Moms traveled to Chicago, IL to attend the 39th Biennial convention of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., where they were voted into membership as The National Harbor Provisional Chapter. On Sunday, October 3, 2010, at the National Harbor Westin Hotel, The National Harbor Chapter was installed into the family of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. The ceremony was conducted by Eastern Regional Director Tammy King, National Treasurer Terri Parker, and Protocol Chair Karen Chaplin. There were thirty-two charter members: Vanessa Biggs, Regina J. Bracey, Darlene W. Brooks, Monica Brown-Lipscomb, Tomeka C. Bumbry, Kelly Garry Burks, Shauna Berry Cooke, Dorothy Fields, Leslie Fields, Carol Gibson, Doris Gibson, Cheryl Gresham, Regina Hargraves, Kendra Day-Hernandez, Veronica Hutchinson, Trevine Jelks, Maranda Jones-Anderson, Cheryl Hargraves Muller, Sondra G. Petty, LaRhonda Roberts, Rachel L. Robinson, Imani Panton-Rogers, Kesa Russell, Kimberly Scott, Lori Shabazz, Rakiah Mohamed Sharmba, Wanda D. Smith, Angela G. Solomon, Lovie Browne-Tarver, Kym D. Taylor, Valerie Vines Toyer and Crystal Christmas-Watson.
Our Chapter Today
Building upon the foundational principles and ideals envisioned by the charter members, the National Harbor Chapter, working closely with its Fathers Auxiliary, has been recognized locally and nationally. During the 2016-2018 and 2018-2020 programming years, the National Harbor Chapter was designated a Five-Star Chapter of Excellence by the national organization for its work in the following areas: membership; programming; chapter operations; financial management; community service and philanthropy.
In 2019, the National Harbor Chapter was recognized as the Eastern Region Chapter of the Year (First Place) and our Gavel Club ranked First Place in the Eastern Region.
Our signature chapter fundraising events, Bowties & Pearls, held at the MGM in National Harbor (in 2017 and 2019), and our Teen Gradis Gras, held at the Newton White Mansion (in 2018 and 2019), have provided scholarships to college-bound high school seniors in the county and supported the Jack and Jill Foundation, our national philanthropic arm.
In February 2019, we established an Associates group, consisting of 10 Mothers who tenured out of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. in good standing. Dorothy Fields was elected Chairman of the Associate Moms, who play a critically important role in preserving the legacy of our organization—bringing institutional knowledge, experience and wisdom —while continuing to support the educational, cultural, civic, recreational and social activities of the chapter.
Celebrating 10 years of excellence and service in 2020, the National Harbor Chapter has grown to 57 Moms and 97 children, and is well positioned to continue the proud tradition of developing our children to be future leaders, volunteers and philanthropists, while having an impact on the surrounding community.
Since its inception, the Jack and Jill Foundation National Harbor Chapter Scholarship Fund has raised thousands of dollars for students, and donated monies to county schools for the purchase of Chromebooks needed for virtual learning during the COVID-19 crisis. The Chapter participates in the county’s Adopt-a-Road program and supports community beautification efforts by keeping Church Road clean and free of trash, as one of the city’s high traffic residential corridors.
The National Harbor Chapter prides itself in ensuring that it adheres to the National Programmatic Thrust set forth from the National Executive Board. As member Moms, we are dedicated to maintaining a standard of excellence in community service and bringing together children and families through our current and past educational, social and cultural experiences, like our Health Symposium, 5K Walk, Tribute to MLK, Jeans and Jewels Affair, Trike and Bike Health Fair, and our Young Men’s Summit. We have also expanded our outreach to community partners, including: InReach, BB&T, Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC), March of Dimes, American Heart Association, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Accokeek Food Pantry, Prince George’s Hospital Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Prince George’s County Public Schools and the Prince George’s County Circuit Court Family Justice Center.
Our Moms and teens have held regional and national positions of leadership within Jack and Jill of America, Inc., and National Harbor Chapter Moms are consistently recognized for their contributions to the medical and legal professions, government, academia, secondary education, private industry and in the community.
As an inclusive and nurturing community of mothers, we understand that the most impactful social, economic and political changes we seek to make in our community, our nation and the world begin with all children.