May 9, 2015 - May 15, 2015, The Baltimore Afro-American
Gloria Mayfield Banks, a Mary Kay Elite Executive National Sales Director was the keynote speaker at the Baltimore (MD) Links luncheon, “Empowering Women in Leadership.” In the Calvin and Tina Tyler Ballroom at the Morgan State University Student Center, Banks, the number one African-American sales director in the world, was enthusiastically received by the packed room of guests who had many questions for the international motivational speaker. Honorable Patricia Jessamy, president of the Baltimore (MD) Chapter held a conversation dialogue with Banks with questions following from the audience and a book signing session for her book, “Quantum Leaps.” Banks has received worldwide acclaim and recognition. She resides in Baltimore with her husband, Ken Banks. They share four adult children. Councilwoman Sharon Proceeds benefit the Green Middleton, Children’s Programs, Dr. Charlene Cooperscholarships and GRASP Willhelma GarnerScholarships at Coppin State Boston Brown, Patricia Wilson and Morgan State Universities.
Alumnae Links Lydia Mussenden, Minnie Smoot, Cardrienne Griffin, Laverne Turner, Barbara Owings
Adrienne Stokes Orange, Sarah Elias
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Waiting to have their books signed by author Gloria Mayfield Banks (far right)
Dana P. Moore, Kimberleigh N. De Laine, Shirley Kane
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings Blake, Baltimore City
Fannie Gaston-Johansson, Dr. Crystal Watkins Johansson, Nettie Watkins
Claudette Edgerton Swain, Judy Rainey
Nikita Haysbert, Patricia Jessamy, president, Baltimore (MD) Chapter, Links, Incorporated
Judge Yvonne Holt Stone, Marilyn HarrisDavis, Leigh Adams Slaughter
Lacetta Bowman, Francine Applewhite
Family legacy Veronica Owens, Veronica Joy Owens, Joy Owens, Jill Owens
Shirley Hargrove, Barbara Blount Armstrong, Annette March-Grier, Karen Bond
Myrtle Brown, Doris Brown, Carolyn Brown-Jackson
Roslyn Smith, Mattie Mumby, Kimberly Mumby Green Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine
Debutante Tribute Debutantes, escorts, junior escorts and flower girls sponsored by Tri-State Association, Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia Improved Benevolent and Protective Order Elks of the World
Debutante Morgan Bland dances with escort De’Shawn Winston
Debutante Sharron Moore with escort Damond Dickens
Debutante Kenisha Williams with escort Keondre Robinson
Debutante Amara Hill and father Stephen Hill performing the Traditional FatherDaughter dance
Father-Daughter Traditional Dance
Brother Carlton W.Stanley,
For the past 55 years, the state president, Daughter Improved Benevolent and Bettie L. Weems, president Protective Order of the Elks of the World has held the Tri-State Debutante Cotillion, which is mostly comprised of children and grandchildren of the Elks and other family members. The TriStates include Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. The coordinators recruit from various schools and churches young ladies in the 11th, 12th grades or first year of college. The student must possess a minimum 2.5 grade point average to apply. With parents’ and principals’ approval, the young ladies go through a rigorous 10-week training in the areas of etiquette, choreography, social interaction tips and dress code. The banquet room at the Sheraton North in Towson was packed with proud parents and relatives who witnessed the young ladies being “introduced to society” in their full skirted white gowns while being escorted by their dates for the evening. One of the most significant portions of the program was the audience watching the gleam in the eyes and smiles on the faces of the fathers or guardians as they danced with their daughters. The cotillion is a memorable occasion for the students and provides lasting experiences and friendships.
Debutante Kyi Katherine Alford with escort Lindsay Freeman
Debutante Amara Hill with escort Martuise Montgomery
Debutante Morgan Bland with escort De’Shawn Winston
Debutante Kai Johnson with escort Darryl Bonner
Cotillion chair Margaret Selby with choreographer Tia Wright
Proud teacher Tammy Mays with her students from Paul Laurence Dunbar High School are from left, Debutantes Amara Hill, Kenisha Williams, Sharron Moore, Tyesha White
Debutante Taniah Harris with escort Kevon Alford
Debutante Tyesha White with escort Tyree Brown Photos by Dr. A. Lois De Laine