Annual Charity Ball Links Debutantes With Their Futures
In their fluffy white gowns and carefully coiffed hair, the nine young women who made their social debut at the Links Debutante Charity Ball on Saturday lived up to the program’s theme: “Portraits of Beauty.”
The Orange County chapter of Links staged its 10th annual debutante ball at the Anaheim Marriott, attracting a crowd of about 375 people. Proceeds from the ball, estimated at $20,000, go to scholarship funds and other Links programs.
Portraits of Young Women
“I always wanted to be a debutante,” said Tomeka Bradley, 17, of Mission Viejo. “When I was a little kid I would see pictures of the girls in their white dresses in the newspaper.”
Phyllis Reagin made her debut at the first Links ball 10 years ago and credits the experience with making her more confident.
“I’m really excited for the girls,” she said. “Links offers them a good opportunity to develop into young ladies. I came away being more confident and prepared for any social endeavors, in particular those involving black society.”
Even before she took to the dance floor, 17-year-old debutante Sherryce Carter of Irvine had learned a valuable lesson: the importance of comfortable shoes.
“My feet hurt,” said the deb, in a sparkling gown and long satin gloves. “But I’m ready to jam.”
Elegant Fare
After the debutantes curtsied to the crowd, they danced with their fathers and escorts before joining guests for dinner in the Marriott’s grand ballroom.
The tables were portraits of understated elegance, with black and white marbleized plates, one black and one white napkin folded together at each place setting and a simple hurricane lantern surrounded by a wreath of greenery and baby’s breath in the center.
Guests were treated to a menu that included spinach salad with mandarin orange and poppy-seed dressing, Cornish game hens with a sherry mushroom sauce, honey-glazed carrots and steamed broccoli. Dessert was white chocolate mousse served in a dark chocolate cup on a painted plate of raspberry coulis.
Chain of Support
Links, a network of black professional women, has so far presented more than 150 women to society since its first debutante ball.
“This event is really important to young ladies. It gives them a chance to hone their social graces,” said Julietta Williams, ball chairwoman. “They learn about charm and proper etiquette.”
Joyce Norwood, president of the local Links chapter, said the girls also learn about helping others (community service is a mandatory requirement for the debs).
“We want to start training these future young leaders,” Norwood said. “Overall the debutantes experience personal growth and development. It’s a really special activity in a young girl’s life.”
Among the guests were Col. Fredrick Glass, Jennie Spencer Green, Adrenis Hurd, Bernard Kinsey, Diane LeBlanc, Jewel Plummer Cobb and co-chairwoman Faye Washington. Debutantes included Catherine Baker, Garnesha Beck, Jamila Berridge, Trina Gordon, Theresa Hughes, Stacy McCarty and Tojuana Simmons.