The 52^nd Annual Cotillion Informational Tea

Special to The Truth

The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc. -Toledo Club ( NANBPWC, Inc.) held their 52nd annual Cotillion Informational Tea on Sunday afternoon,  January 8, 2017 at Indiana Avenue Missionary Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Over 200 guests were in attendance which included junior and senior high school students, parents and family members from the Toledo area high schools. 

The Cotillion is open to any girl attending parochial or public school, has a 3.0 GPA, is not pregnant or has a child and is of good moral character. Cash scholarships will be presented to the three top winning debutantes in the senior class. The junior students will be Debs-N-Waiting and the seniors qualify as debutantes. 

The Introductory Tea Chairman Karen Jarrett served as MC for the program. Jarrett and her husband Dennis (who was her escort) were participants in the Cotillion during their senior year and are still happily married  for over 40-plus years. They also teach ballroom dancing. 

Special greetings were given by Denise Black-Poon, Toledo Club president and by former North Central District Governor Barbara Tucker. 

Information on what is expected of the program was given by Wilma Brown -Cotillion chairman. Brown highlighted the criteria, rehearsals, expectations and special events that will take place from January through May for this scholarship program. The Cotillion Committee works year round to make this program successful with close communication with the schools starting in September each year. Her dedication for supporting young students educational needs goes back a long way. She has been the Debutante Cotillion chairman for most of its many years. 

The Deb's-N-Waiting are guided by Denise Cardwell who also teaches etiquette classes, provides workshops, activities and is also Cotillion co-chairman with Karen Jarrett. Dennis Jarrett is available for the escorts and fathers throughout the program to assist with the waltz, men's tuxedos,  pictures, etc.  

Deborah Carlisle and Beverly Tucker (both specialists in music) oversee the talent portion that is held on May 22. The event is free and open to the public at Keyser Elementary School. The Debutante Cotillion Ball will be held on Saturday, May 27 at the Stranahan Great Hall.

Brown discussed the financial requirements of sponsors, BIDS and the souvenir brochure. Other Cotillion programs are the Screenings, Etiquette Seminar, Mother/Daughter Luncheon, Talent Rehearsals, Talent Night, etc.. that lead up to the Cotillion Ball. 

The scholarship program welcomes the community to support the event with donations, souvenir ads and patrons ads to help support the educational scholarships that are given each year. NANBPWC, Inc. is a 5013c non-profit organization. A fundraiser will be in place at the Annual Founders Day/Women’s History Program that will be held on Sunday, March 5 at the Radisson UTMC on Glendale at 3:00.  

A Silent Auction and raffle will also take place. The Sojourner Truth Award will be given to Senator Edna Brown, which is the highest award the national organization gives. Special awards will also be given to Toledo area principals for Women's History. The theme is "Women Trailblazers In Labor and Business.” Tickets are available from any member of the Toledo Club. The community is welcome to attend.  

The Cotillion began in April 1965 with the intent of presenting young ladies from the community into society and provides scholarship funding for the Debutantes’ college education. The club wanted the young ladies to be aware of the fact there were social advantages that existed that they may not have been exposed to during their childhood. 

"The National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Club, Inc - Toledo Club wishes to thank the community for supporting the many programs, services and community activities each year. Our success is because of you and we hope you will continue to be there with us for many years to come,” says President Black-Poon .  

Copyright © 2017 by [The Sojourner's Truth]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 08/16/18 14:12:37 -0700.

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