S 1173

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