Austin Chapter History

Honoring the Past. Empowering Our Future.

The Austin Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. was proudly chartered in June 1953, becoming a beacon of leadership, service, and excellence within the South Central Region. Our founding mothers—Hazel Adams, Claudia Allen, Myrdis Allen, Ada C. Anderson, Curtis Collins, Lucille Crawford, Marcet King, Bertha Means, Rose Thayer, Bessie Rowe, Myrtle Royster, and Nancy Williams Johnson—laid the foundation for a legacy that continues to uplift Black families in the city of Austin.

Past Chapter Presidents

Myrtle Royster 1953-1955

Bertha Means 1956-1958

Lucille Crawford 1958-1960

Willie Mae Kirk 1960-1962

Helen Bernice Hammond 1962-1964

Lillie Laura Robinson 1964-1966

Claudia Allen 1966-1968

Lillie Swisher Williams 1968-1970

Dorothy Madison 1970-1972

Johnnie VanDyke 1972-1974

Betty Raphael Crawford 1974-1976

Betty Washington 1976-1978

Gloria B. Farrow 1978-1980

Arthuree Quander 1980-1982

Vera Givens 1982-1984

Etta Ferguson 1984-1986

Andrea Pair Bryant 1986-1988

Barbara Dunn Harrington 1988 -1990

Catherine White Lee 1990-1992

Yvonne Davis 1992-1994

Susan McClure Johnson 1994-1998

Roxann Chargois 1998-2000

Brenda Kennedy 2000-2003

Wendolyn Washington 2003-2006

LaVerne Morris Parker 2006-2008

Nan Burley Richie 2008-2010

Jacquelyn Hawkins 2010-2012

Sheldy Starkes 2012-2016

Tanisa Bernard 2016-2018

Tarah Townsend 2018-2020

Traci Joy Bermiss 2020-2021

Maureen Oyiriaru 2021-2024

Kim Hill 2024-2025

Tam Hawkins 2025-2026

Brandi Vasher PRESENT

National and Regional Leadership

We are proud of our members who have served as officers at both the National and Regional levels. Highlights include:

  • Ada C. Anderson: National Corresponding Secretary and Regional Director of the South Central Region

  • Willie Mae Kirk & Lillie Williams: Regional Secretaries/Treasurers

  • Mary Lou Adams: Regional Director & Regional Secretary/Treasurer

  • Susan Johnson: Regional Director (2001–2005)

  • Catherine Lee: Legislative Chairperson

  • Barbara Dunn Harrington: Foundation Member-At-Large

  • Gina Harris: Regional Nominating Committee Chair

  • Brenda Kennedy: Served as South Central Regional Director and Regional Foundation Member-At-Large; later, as Regional Chapter Membership and Establishment Chair (2009–2011), and National Associates Chair (2019–2020), as well as Regional Associates Chair

  • Denise Davis: Regional Parliamentarian (2009–2011)

  • Jacquelyn Hawkins: Regional Chair of Policies and Procedures (2009–2011)

  • Tanisa Jeffers Bernard: Regional Chair of Alumni Connection (2009–2011); selected for the inaugural class of the National Leadership Academy at the 2010 National Convention in Chicago; elected to the 2011–2013 Regional Nominating Committee; later, elected as the 2013–2015 South Central Region Nominating Chair; appointed as National Tellers Chair at the 2014 National Convention; and served on the National Nominating Committee at the 2016 National Convention

  • Sheldy Starkes: Appointed to the National Membership Committee (2010–2012); selected for the inaugural class of the National Leadership Academy at the 2010 National Convention; appointed as National Statistics Chair at the 2016 National Convention; served as the 2016–2018 National Co-Chair, Viva la Cuba Task Force; and later as Leadership Assistance Chair

  • Additional Appointments: At the 2020 National Convention, Mother Cynthea Patterson was appointed as Co-Chair; IPP Tanisa Bernard was appointed as Regional Program Chair; and current Regional appointments include Austin Chapter President Tarah Townsend as Central Texas COE Chair.