Over 750 mothers, teens and tweens from across the DMV gathered for the Jack and Jill of America Eastern Region Southern Area "work day" summit in early October, entitled "Empowering Women, Empowering Generations."
Hosted by the Prince William County Chapter, the day brought together members from roughly 21 chapters in the region's Southern Cluster for workshops, competition, service, and what many would simply call "sisterhood."
"Whenever I'm with my Jack and Jill sisters, I feel like I'm in my safe space, and I feel like home," said keynote speaker Lesli Foster, WUSA9 anchor and Jack and Jill associate.
Marion Stubbs Thomas and 20 mothers founded Jack and Jill in Philadelphia in 1938, when Black children were routinely shut out of the social, cultural and educational opportunities open to their white peers.
Today the organization counts 271 chapters and more than 50,000 family members across seven regions. The Eastern Region, its largest, spans 61 chapters in D.C. and eight states, including Virginia.
Eastern Regional Director Denise Allen Williams led the day, joined by National President Deidre S. Lindsey and National Vice President Fatimah Moody, both elected this summer at the organization's 47th National Convention in Baltimore.
For Allen Williams, the mission feels especially urgent.
"We're at a point in time where there are lots of questions about our history. We're trying to preserve our culture," said Allen Williams. "We want our kids to know that they rest on the shoulders of very important people … so that they feel good about themselves and that they know that their futures are bright."
That work, she said, begins at home. "It starts with the mother. And so when we have mothers coming together, the power is amazing." Across the Eastern Region, that power reaches more than 3,200 mothers and over 6,300 children, middle schoolers and teens.
The day's theme, "Empowering Women, Empowering Generations," resonated with mothers balancing careers, households and community leadership. Foster named that weight directly.
"It's hard work to do what we do every day, and sometimes we need a little extra love and a little extra push to keep going," she said. "We all have the power to empower each other and in turn to empower generations."
Keely Wilson, a Jack and Jill mother and legacy member who grew up in the organization, believes the message landed.
"We are the rock in our families," she said. "If the rock fails, the whole family fails, the community fails. So this is an opportunity to fill my cup so that I can give back to my chapter, my family and my community." Her son, recently selected for the regional teen task force, attended his first area work day.
Mothers spent the day in workshops on governance, bylaws and membership, while teens and middle schoolers attended sessions designed to build leadership and practical skills.
Teens also took the stage. The oratorical contest, themed "We Are the Blueprint," featured division winners for ages 13-15 and 16-19, whose names will not be revealed until the 2027 teen conference.
"It's an opportunity to see our teens stand in front of hundreds of people and lend their voice to what's important to them," Allen Williams said. "It's not easy, but it gives us all confidence in the future."
The day's most tangible impact grew out of Prince William County. Teens and mothers packed more than 100 Baby Love bags with diapers in sizes newborn through 6, baby wipes, lotion, feminine hygiene products and other essentials for new mothers who have been displaced in the D.C. area. The bags will go to a women's shelter in Washington.
The Baby Love Initiative began in 2021, when Noah Sneed, of Manassas, now teen president of the Prince William County Chapter, used a $500 youth ambassador grant to start a passion project helping women and babies facing poverty.
His younger brother, Justice, has carried it forward.
"It means a lot to just follow my brother's footsteps and to be a part of this Jack and Jill legacy," Justice said. "It's really a full circle moment."
Rosalynn Perry, of Gainesville, president of the two-time Five-Star Prince William County Chapter, said watching the children lead was a highlight.
"We are helping those mothers that are experiencing either homelessness or home insecurity," she said. "Having the children actually spend the time putting these bags together, it's impactful to them."
For a room of mothers who know what it takes to hold a family together, packing supplies for other mothers felt fitting. As Allen Williams put it, "Seeing how our kids are taking on that responsibility and wanting to help the community makes me personally feel fantastic."
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