About Us

The Mobile Jayceette chapter was a charter member of the Alabama Jayceettes. On March 27, 1953, a group of 20 Jaycee wives met for the purpose of organizing the chapter. Mrs. Virginia Godwin presided with Earl Andrew, State Vice-President; Bob Godwin, Mobile Treasurer; and Director Bill Gilmer present in an advisory capacity. Following discussion concerning the benefits of an auxiliary to the Mobile Jaycees, Mrs. Godwin was named temporary chairman by acclamation. Mrs. Beverly Miller was named temporary secretary. A committee was formed to draw up a constitution and by-laws. A telephone committee was also appointed to call every Jaycee wife.

The club was chartered in April 1953, with more than 40 members, and Mrs. Godwin as its first elected president. Meetings were held on the fourth Tuesday of each month with alternate luncheon and night meetings. Quickly, the club membership expanded to more than sixty. The first year saw the Mobile Jayceettes aiding the Jaycees on such projects as the Alabama Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, the Christmas Shopping Tour, and the Mobile Azalea Trail and Festival.

After its inception, the Mobile Jayceettes grew both locally in the projects it sponsored, and on a state level. There were two Outstanding Local Presidents (Boykin winners) in Shirley Shaw (1973-74) and Diane Jepko (1976-77). three of our past presidents served the state organization by holding offices: Administrative Assistant to the President (1977-78), Parliamentarian (1978-79), and Chaplain (1981-82). The Mobile Chapter served in 1979-80 as Historian for the state by compiling a scrapbook for the state president. In 1980, a Mobile Jayceette member, Nancy Wilson, won first place in the state Sparkette competition and went on to win first place in the Region III competition. Many of our members held state chairmanships and worked on state committees.

Locally, we have had an increasing impact on the community of Mobile through such projects as working with city officials to begin a therapeutic playground for handicapped children (1978), raising nearly $1200 to benefit the University of South Alabama's efforts to build a Cancer Research Center, and providing a $1000 leadership scholarship to a deserving high school senior (1982).

The fiscal year 1984-85 brought many changes to Jayceettes locally, statewide, and nationally. Due to the June 1984 Supreme Court ruling allowing women to join the Jaycees, our state and national Jaycee women organizations voted at their 1985 conventions to disband. Several options were open to the local clubs. Some chapters disbanded totally, others joined their local Jaycee clubs, but we determined it was in our best interest to remain a separate organization.

In 1986, the club raised the annual leadership Scholarship to $1500. It also tried to raise awareness of the USAMC Cancer Treatment Center and its patient house as well as beginning monthly visits to the Pediatric Unit of the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center.

In 1987, the Jayceettes held their first annual Silent Auction raising $6500 for the USA Radiation Therapy Support Project. The chapter also added two more organizations to their list of charitable causes: University of South Alabama Children's and Women's Hospital to which they donated $3000 to refurbish a pediatric room, and the YMCA which desperately needed help transporting their day care students. The club generously donated $1000.

In 1988, after many hours of serious deliberation, the Mobile Jayceettes decided to continue to remain a separate organization from the Mobile Jaycees. However, in order to remain a separate organization, it became necessary to change the club's name. The Young Women's Civic Club was adopted, and has remained intact to date.