PHENOMENAL PHOENIX CHAPTER HISTORY
The Phoenix Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. was established November 28, 1952 by 25 mothers. It was formed to bridge the social gap for African American children who, at that time, were denied access to museums and other cultural venues.
Phoenix Chapter Charter Members
• Louise Phillips • Senoma J. Smith • Charlesetta F. Banks • Thelma F. Shaw
• Juanita U. Dickey • Lorraine P. Crump • Elaine Mullins • Anzella Grant
• Margaret Warren • Ethel Warren • Eddie J. Johnson • Mary E. Stanford
• Josephina Smith • Lucy B. Orum • Jacquelyn Rideair • Cora Griffen
• Pokie Clark • Rosa J. Williams • Helen F. Edwards • Betrice Brown
• Clara T. Moore • Regina M. Blackburn • Geraldine Solomon
• Helen Mason • Ada Devine
The chapter has grown over the past sixty-five years from 25 families to over 50 families and continues to provide a positive and nurturing environment for African American children.
Juanita Dickey served as the first president of the chapter. In addition to local positions held, members of the Phoenix Chapter have also served on the leadership team of the Far West Region. These members include Evelyn Warren as Regional Director, Lois Myers as Member-at-Large, Linda Fullmore, Rochonne Simmons and Carla Underwood as Regional Secretary/Treasurer, Tracey Walker-Banks as Regional Nominating Chair, Marie Boykin Scott as Regional Program Chair and Dana Brooks as Membership Chair and Member at Large. The Phoenix Chapter has hosted several conferences for the region, including Teen Conference (1975, 2002 and 2013), Regional Conferences (1969 and 1995), Southern Ara Work Day Cluster Conference (1973, 1985 and 2008) and several Children’s Clusters for the Phoenix, Tucson, and Las Vegas chapters.
Our Chapter has completed and participated in many special projects throughout the years. We participate in annual fundraisers for the March of Dimes as well as marches and community service events to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Phoenix and Mesa, Arizona. In 2001, the Phoenix Chapter received a Jack and Jill of America Foundation grant that allowed the chapter to conduct a city-wide leadership conference for youth in the metro Phoenix area. In 2002, four families were adopted through Black Family and Child Services and the chapter provided many of their needs for the holidays.
The Phoenix Chapter wears Purple to Support the
March of Dimes
In 2003, the mothers worked hand in hand with the Phoenix Birthing Center. After Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005, we gave financial assistance to several of the victims who migrated to the valley, as well as to families of chapter members who were affected. In 2007, the chapter adopted several families through Phoenix Children’s Hospital and provided toys, clothes, and gift cards during the Christmas holiday. In 2009, the chapter made financial contributions to Cultural Cup Food Bank and Clinic, First Institutional Baptist Church and the Rescue Project - Dream Center. All three organizations assist families or young women who are part of the homeless or working poor population of the valley.
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In 2013, our adopted charity was the Back to School Clothing Drive that serves over 20,000 children in need with new school uniforms and outfits, backpacks and school supplies. In 2014, our chapter partnered with Florence Crittenton Center of Arizona. The center helps at-risk girls from 10 to 21 overcome issues of abuse, neglect, teen pregnancy, teen parenting and behavioral and/or mental health problems.
From 2015 to 2017 our chapter has partnered with Black Family Services to assist in the distribution and collection of much needed food items for local neighborhoods. We enjoy partnering also with #HashtagLunchBag where we make and distribute sack lunches and inspirational notes to the homeless in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area.
In November of 2016 we began hosting the Father Daughter Dance for both Jack and Jill fathers and daughter as well as members of the Phoenix community. This community program supports the special bond between fathers and daughters. We foster and celebrate that relationship with dancing, food and fun for our princesses and their dads.
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The Phoenix chapter also contributes to the Jack and Jill Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill. Every other year, our chapter proudly hosts Beautillion, our premier fundraising event. The biennial Beautillion is designed to showcase African American young men living in the Phoenix area who have demonstrated achievements in academics, sports, the arts, community service and church life. This black-tie affair is the culminating celebration for these young men after they have completed a series of programs and activities provided by the chapter. Programming includes social, cultural, educational and other enrichment activities designed to assist in preparing them for life after high school.
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As we near the end of our 2021-2022 programming year, we are excited to provide unique and exciting programs to support our National programmatic thrusts in the lives of our children in our communities and in our chapter. As of 2021 we have provided the Phoenix Area with 69 years of continuous service!
PHENOMENAL
PHOENIX
CHAPTER
PRESIDENTS
As we continue to move forward we want to remember and appreciate our past and present presidents of the Phenomenal Phoenix Chapter:
Betty Thompson 1987-1988 *
Annette Willis 1988-1990
Nadine Harris 1990-1992
Henrietta Harris 1992-1996
Robbin Flannagan 1996-1997
Bernetta Broughton Warren 1997-1999
Beverly Alston 1999 - 2002
Geneva Spigner 2002 - 2004
Sheila Dickerson 2004 - 2006
Carla Underwood 2006 - 2007
Lynette Myles 2007 - 2009
Marie Scott 2009 - 2011
Erica Toatley 2011 - 2011
Alisa Cutright-Thompson 2011 - 2013
Dana Brooks 2013 - 2015
Yvette Kinsey 2015 - 2017
Tara Winey 2017 - 2019
Dawn Smith 2019 - 2020
JoAnne Curry 2020-2021
Leah Landrum Taylor 2021 - 2023
Natalee Campbell 2023 - Present
Juanita Dickey 1952-1953 *
Louise Phillips 1958-1959 *
Evelyn Warren 1959-1961 *
Ethel Warren 1961-1962 *
Lois Myer 1962-1964 *
Margaret Reeder 1964-1966 *
Geraldine Hankins 1966-1968
Juanita Scott 1968-1970
Lois Cameron 1970-1972
Ruth Louise 1972-1974
Rebecca Dawkins 1976-1978 *
Barbara Davis 1976-1978 *
Eula Bursch 1978-1980
Jean Booker 1980-1982
Marjorie Kyle 1982-1984
Ruby Mayfield 1984-1986
Linda Fullmore 1986-1987
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*deceased
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