By Betty Beane
The local chapter of Jack and Jill had its beginning in the home of Mrs. Hawkins and several of her friends who had young children. They decided to form a small group of mother who would periodically take their children to a planned activity, maybe once a month. This continued for several months, when it occurred to one of the mother that it would be appropriate to formalize their actions and apply for a charter, as a chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.
The Indianapolis Provisional Chapter of Jack and Jill of America held its first organized meeting at the home of acting chairman, Mrs Mary Hawkins on April 3, 1951. At this time, a nominating committee was appointed to bring in a slate of officers.
The group really got under way at its second meeting when it elected the following in 1951:
| President |
Vice President |
Rec. Secretary |
Treasurer |
| Mary Hawkins |
Shirley Evans |
R. Leah Thomas |
Flora DeFrantz |
Dr. Alberta Turner installed the provisional chapter at a regular chapter meeting on September 8, 1951, at the residence of Dr. & Mrs. Evans. Dr. Turner was assisted by Mrs. Miriam Fountain of Pittsburgh, who sponsored the Indianapolis Chapter.
The original objective and purpose of the organization was to create a medium of contact for children and to provide a constructive, educational, recreational, and social program for the children and their parents.
Although the membership in fact includes the entire family unit, the mothers are primary-working members. The approximate outreach is over 35,000.
