While visiting Tallahassee, Florida in April 1983, Rudean Crawley met a childhood friend, Jeraldine Smith, and the two discussed the Tampa of that day compared with the Tampa of their childhood. It was their opinion that more could be done for the youth of Tampa through a local chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Mrs. Crawley returned home to lead the efforts. She contacted Margarette Spears, along with several other Mothers who expressed similar concerns, and the initial meeting of twenty interested Mothers led to the formation of the Tampa Bay Interest Group.

In February 1984, the group met the requirements for “provisional” chapter status. After several years of enriching activities and conforming to National guidelines, the chapter received charter status from the National body at the Jack and Jill of America, Inc. biennial convention held in July 1986 in Norfolk, Virginia to officially become the Greater Tampa Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Under the guidance and leadership of Dr. Lynda Jollivette, the chapter was initiated and presented its charter on August 9, 1986. The Greater Tampa Chapter thus became the 25th chapter in the Southeastern region and the 173rd national chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

The Greater Tampa Chapter has the distinction of being a three-time Five Star Chapter Excellence recipient and in 2023, under the leadership of 15th Chapter President Tammie McFarland, was named the Southeastern Region’s Chapter of the Year.