The country's first Black sextuplets were born to Jacqueline and Linden Thompson of Washington, D.C. on May 8, 1997 at Georgetown University Medical Center.
Thompson, set a U.S. record for the longest sextuplet pregnancy at 29 weeks and six days.
Sadly, one of the children, a daughter, Allison, was stillborn.
But the five survivors, four girls, Octavia Daniela, Stella Kimberly, Ann Marie Amanda, and Emily Elizabeth and one boy, Richard Linden were born with no major health problems. They each weighed between 2 pounds, 2 ounces and 2 pounds, 6 ounces and were delivered by Caesarean section.
Controversy over why it took corporate sponsors seven months to donate to the family compared to the McCaugheys of Iowa who received corporate donations almost immediately didn't seem to discourage the Thompsons, stating that they were happy with the donations finally coming.
Procter and Gamble gave the Thompsons Pampers for as long as the five babies needed them. They also gave them $2,000 for the time that they did not give them the diapers.
Gerber Foods gave $500 in coupons for baby food, Sears donated baby clothing and the Chevrolet division of General Motors donated a brand-new 1998 Astro minivan. The Freddie Mac Foundation donated a house to Linden and Jackie Thompson. Burlington Coat Factory of Greenbelt, Maryland and Peg Perego Manufacturers donated three-seat and twin seat strollers. The President of Howard University presented the Thompson Sextuplet survivors with full scholarships for their education. Toys r Us donated toys for the children until 2012.
Update - October 2005 -
Five organizations joined together to expand a network of support for the Thompson Quintuplets of Washington, DC. The five organizations, the Greater Washington Urban League, Capital City Chapter of Links, Jack and Jill of America, Inc. and Foundation, the National Congress of Black Women and Fort Lincoln Realty, completed repairs on the family home totaling nearly $20,000.
Freddie Mac provided $13,000 in funding with the contracting work performed by Fort Lincoln Realty Company, which contributed nearly another $7,000 in repair work. The contractor provided expert cleaning, new bathroom fixtures, new kitchen cabinets, painting and electrical work.
Longest Sextuplet Pregnancy
Thompson Sextuplets - 1997
Sextuplets
