South Carolina S 1173: Columbia chapter of Jack and Jill 75th anniversary

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 1173 Text of Previous Version (May. 08, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 1173

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A concurrent RESOLUTION

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR CAPTIVATING COLUMBIA, THE 
COLUMBIA CHAPTER OF JACK AND JILL OF AMERICA, INC., AND TO COMMEND THE CHAPTER 
ON ITS SEVENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY OF SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY.

Whereas, the South 
Carolina General Assembly is pleased to learn that Captivating Columbia has 
been a presence of Jack and Jill in the Midlands for three-quarters of a 
century, and the chapter will celebrate the milestone on September 12, 2026, at 
the University of South Carolina Pastides Center; and

Whereas, the late 
Marion Stubbs Thomas founded Jack and Jill of America in January of 1938 in 
Philadelphia when twenty mothers met to discuss creating an organization to 
provide social, cultural, and educational opportunities for young people 
between the ages of two and nineteen; and

Whereas, today, Jack 
and Jill of America Inc. spans 271 chapters, representing over fifty thousand 
families making a lasting impact in communities nationwide. It has evolved into 
a strong national organization as a result of vigorous national and chapter 
programming in the areas of cultural awareness, educational development, 
health, civic awareness, and social and recreational opportunities; and

Whereas, one of the 
founding mothers of Jack and Jill of America Inc., Inez Simkins, moved to Columbia, 
and the Philadelphia Chapter asked her to organize a chapter in Columbia. The 
meeting to organize was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Israel Pinckney 
Stanback, and on September 13, 1951, the charter members of the Columbia 
chapter, South Carolina's first chapter, were installed in a ceremony conducted 
by the National President Edna Seay; and

Whereas, the Columbia 
chapter charter members included Lois Bailey, Ethel Bolden, Margaret Boulware, 
Meredith Douglas, Agnes Evans, Harriett Everette, Rachel Griffin, Bessie P. 
Jenkins, Elise Jenkins, Pearl M. Mance, Vivian Marshall, Marian Morgan, Katherine 
Moses, Inez Simkins, Mary Solomon, and Billie Stephenson; and

Whereas, Captivating 
Columbia, which is a part of the Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR) of Jack and Jill of 
America, known as the MARvelous Region, is a community-focused organization 
that has achieved Five Star Excellence, demonstrating a commitment to nurturing 
future leaders and fostering growth; and

Whereas, Captivating 
Columbia actively engages in community building by celebrating local history, 
mentoring, and celebrating achievements like Gamecock victories. Its local 
impact is accomplished through projects such as Youth Leadership Summit, which 
is free to the public for children aged two through the twelfth grade, and 
addresses leadership development, financial literacy, STEAM activities, public 
speaking, legislative advocacy, HBCU activation, career development, community 
safety, and community service, as well as a water safety event, also free to 
the public, that offers swimming lessons for adults and children, safety tips, 
and basic water rescue skills; and

Whereas, the chapter 
also hosts Stilettos and Beaus, a signature fundraising event, and supports the 
James R. Clark Memorial Sickle Cell Foundation Walk, InnerSole, Power in 
Changing, Blanketing Families, Midlands Orphan Relief, March of Dimes, Souper 
Bowl of Caring, Ebony Fashion Show, Epworth Children's Home, Benedict College 
Tiger Den, Period Project, Oliver Gospel Mission, Rapid Shelter Columbia, and 
the Jack and Jill Foundation; and

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina General Assembly value the work of Captivating Columbia, a 
chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., and wish the organization continued 
success in the years ahead upon the MARvelous celebration of its first 
seventy-five years. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the 
Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the 
South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, recognize and honor Captivating 
Columbia, the Columbia Chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., and commend 
the chapter on its seventy-fifth anniversary of service in the community.

Be it further resolved that 
a copy of this resolution be presented to Chapter President Fern H. Kelly.

----XX---

This web page was last updated on May 08, 2026 at 01:12 PM