The National Christian Fellowship Conference Presents:
An Evening of Gospel Serenade
Featuring our 3rd annual debutante ball
The Debutant & marshalls presentation and dinner (ROYAL BLUE EVENING ATTIRE)
The History of the African American Debutante Cotillions
Girls who made their “debut” to society were generally the daughters of affluent doctors, lawyers and teachers. Martha Mitchell, a retired educator says during the early 1900’s, the only way to become a debutante was through invitation only.
“Whoever had charge of the cotillion asked certain young ladies who they thought could afford to participate,” she said. “They came to your house and interviewed the girl and even interviewed her parents.”
Back in the day, carefully selected debutantes had to not only be of a certain pedigree, but she also had to have strong academics, tremendous social and volunteer skills, as well as have ambitious goals for her future.
Girls who made their “debut” to society were generally the daughters of affluent doctors, lawyers and teachers. Martha Mitchell, a retired educator says during the early 1900’s, the only way to become a debutante was through invitation only.
“Whoever had charge of the cotillion asked certain young ladies who they thought could afford to participate,” she said. “They came to your house and interviewed the girl and even interviewed her parents.”
Back in the day, carefully selected debutantes had to not only be of a certain pedigree, but she also had to have strong academics, tremendous social and volunteer skills, as well as have ambitious goals for her future.
Debs were further distinguished in the upper realms of the Black community; however her family, particularly her father, received a social boost as well. The unspoken implication was that the poise, beauty, popularity and academic agility was a direct result of good parents who are also special because they achieved a certain status in order to bring forth such a daughter.
During cotillions, debutantes donned flowing white gowns and long white gloves; a symbol of innocence and purity. They were also accompanied by young Black males who escorted them. As with the debutantes, the escorts were also from a higher social and economic class. He had to be approved by cotillion organizers and was judged upon the same standards as debutantes.
All of these factors mattered including which exclusive group the debutante debuted with, which had a hierarchy as well.
Cotillions remained among a certain segment of the Black population largely due to the fact that upper crust Blacks invited other wealthy and “important” Blacks.
Blacks never debuted to society in white cotillions nor did white teens debut to society in Black cotillions. Over the decades, Black debutante cotillions have continued to go on through various organizations.
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a new day for ncfc
As the Lord continues to raise up a generation that will stand for the Gospel of Jesus Christ so too will NCFC showcase what the Lord is doing in the lives of His people by bringing the Legacy of the African American Debutante Cotillions to the National Christian Fellowship Conference.
OUR guest speakers
Elder Madison Lumpkin
Youth Pastor at the Bible way church of Washington DC.
wASHINGTON, DC, USA
THE HONORABLE BERNARD C. YOUNG
51st Mayor of Baltimore City.
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
For Additional Information
Please contact Reverend Lady Savage by email at lady.savage@ncfcint.org , ncfcchairman@ncfcint.org, or by cell (610)-848-8878.