Mystic Order of Minerva Ball In Montgomery’s history of debutanting, none continues the tradition of presentations resembling those at the Court of Queen Victoria like the Mystic Order of Minerva. Long white kid gloves are secured each year, golden chairs are placed, and peacock feathers are included in fan-backed bouquets. All have been required elements of the mystic society of women’s annual presentations for over 60 years. As guests receive their invitations, nothing is looked forward to more than the designs and colors of pastel gowns the honorees select to showcase as they make their grand curtsies to Minerva. For “M double-O M’s” 61st Annual Ball, eight of the season’s debutantes were elegantly attired in blues, greens, pinks and yellows as they were formally introduced by Master of Ceremonies Robert Bruce Rinehart, and presented on the arms of their fathers, grandfathers and uncles. Family and friends congratulated Minerva and the debutantes as they enjoyed a late supper, and dancing to the music of the Syndicate Band. Photos: Photography by the Robertsons 1. Mystic Order of Minerva honorees, from left, Martha Houston Sasser, Martha Burke Chapman Rice, Liza Lang Cardinal, Mary Susan McDowell, Blair Henderson Parks, Mary Evelyn Parker, Lucy Oliver Upchurch and Glenn Pearson Poundstone 2. Minerva and two members of her Court oversee the annual presentation 3. Glenn Pearson Poundstone dances with John Curran Sullivan, Jr. 4. Mary Evelyn Parker dances with her uncle Michael Perry Mason 5. Martha Houston Sasser dances with her grandfather Justice James Gorman Houston, Jr.
56 MGM Magazine
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