September 2021--
Throughout September, all Jack and Jill chapters celebrate Jack and Jill Day, which began in 1948. Chapters are required to have an activity that brings all of the membership together after the summer break, focusing on the programmatic thrusts of social and recreational. We celebrated our Jack and Jill Day at Brookings Elementary School on September 19.
January 2021--
To celebrate Founder’s Day 2021, in this video that follows, the children of the Western Massachusetts chapter share what Jack and Jill of America, Inc. means to them.
December 2020--
Check out our feature article published in Af-Am Point of View, about the local chapter’s creative effort and partnership with a local photographer, Leonard Underwood. The group’s “Porch Project Fundraiser” raised funds for African American children and families.
November 2020--
Congrats to 14-year-old Morgan Erinna, daughter of Eleanor Williams-Erinna and James Erinna, who participated in and won the Jack and Jill Oratorical Contest at the Northern and Metropolitan Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Eastern Area Workday.
Morgan competed against more than a dozen teenagers in the 13-15 age group with the topic “We Are the Movement You Fear.” Morgan’s speech focused on our country’s shifting demographics that are driving diversity, which is evidenced by the recent election of the first African-American and Southeast Asian woman, Kamala Harris, as Vice President of the United States of America.
Her coach, Chapter Mom Lisa Green, will continue to work with Morgan as she prepares to compete again at Teen Conference in June 2021. Morgan is a 9th grader at Longmeadow High School.
September 2020--
The Western Massachusetts Chapter helped to paint the new Black Lives Matter mural in downtown Springfield, Massachusetts. This year’s chapter theme “We ARE Prisms of Change” was exemplified as we had members from our youngest group, Bright Lights, all the way up to teens, moms and dads who participated. The event, which tied into Carole Robertson Day observance for the chapter, brought members together from various groups and ages, to support the local effort to bring awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement.
June 2020--
Brights Lights and Explorers Rebel Girls Book Club took place each Monday evening in the month of June via Zoom. Each girl selected a Rebel Girl to read about, then explained why they chose her, and what they thought was fun or interesting about her.
March 2020--
