Previously, Christine had been in San Francisco attending a convention for Delta Sigma Theta held at the same time and in the same hotel as the National Convention of Jack and Jill of America. Christine noticed the speakers and agenda of this organization were dedicated to children.  She was also impressed by the stature of women in attendance and the breath and scope of their programming.  Returning home, Christine was very excited and got together with Gloria Marrow and several mothers from the Baltimore County Chapter. They explained the goals and objectives of this family centered organization and Christine was convinced that this was the type of organization that her community needed.

The August 7^th meeting took place at the home of Sylvia Tilghman in Severn, Maryland.  A steering committee was formed to begin recruiting mothers with the same interest and vision as Jack and Jill of America, Inc.  The Steering Committee consisted of Earnestine Butler, Christine Davenport, Doris Durrett, Nancy Jernigan, Erretta Morris, and Sylvia Tilghman.  These dynamic women started on a mission.  In less than a week, the committee had identified more than 25 mothers who shared the same vision and objectives.

During the following two years, several programs were implemented for the group and the children of the community. Programming included: A writing workshop;   visits to Black History Museums in Washington, D. C., Baltimore and Annapolis; participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. Writing Contest and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Breakfast; a visit to the Timothy House Project, a local nursing home; adoption of a local family during the  holiday season; a  Secret Santa Shop; tours of several local Historically Black Colleges; a Memorial Candlelight Service for famous African Americans and a visit to the African House in Washington, D. C.   The group fulfilled the requirements set forth by National and was chartered on October 27, 1990.

2011 New Member Initiation and Officer Installation

In 1999 the membership submitted a request to National for a chapter name change.  Arundel Bay Area was chosen to better reflect the geographical region covered by the chapter. The request was honored and the name change officially took effect at the 21^st Biennial National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, July 2000.

Members of the original Steering committee are still in our lives.  We are fortunate that one of Sylvia Tilghman’s daughters is now one of the Arundel Bay Area chapter Moms.  Both Mother and daughter attended this years Initiation.  We were also honored with the attendance of Nancy Jernigan and our chapter organizer Christine Davenport.  Christine was our guest speaker this year and recounted our chapter’s beginnings and then praised us for the direction our chapter has taken.  Though Christine is now an Associate we still benefit from her endless wisdom and knowledge.