Buy PhotoMarceinia Peoples, left, Katrina Tate and Lyska Dilworth model African fashions from Heritage Fashions Boutique on Saturday during the annual Fashion Show and Brunch, sponsored by the Pine Bluff Branch of the National Association of University Women. (Special to The Commercial/William Harvey)
Buy PhotoJoyce Bracy Vaughan presents a monologue, “I am Africa”, during the Pine Bluff Chapter of the National Association of University Women’s annual Fashion Show and Brunch, held Saturday at the Sahara Shriners Temple. (Special to The Commercial/William Harvey)
The Barraque Street Baptist Church Liturgical Dancers perform Saturday during the Pine Bluff Chapter of the National Association of University Women’s annual Fashion Show and Brunch. (Special to The Commercial/William Harvey)
Paige Walker, dressed as Cleopatra, struts her stuff Saturday during the annual Fashion Show and Brunch, hosted by the Pine Bluff Chapter of the National Association of University Women. (Special to The Commercial)
The Pine Bluff Chapter of the National Association of University Women took guests on an African adventure during its annual Fashion Show and Brunch, held Saturday at the Sahara Shriners Temple.
Utilizing the theme, “NAUW Returns to the Motherland: An African Adventure,” attendees were greeted with the sights and sounds of Africa, as African music filled the room, which had been transformed into an African Safari.
Attorney Carla Meadows, dean of the School of Business and Management at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, prepared the audience for a fascinating journey back to the Motherland in her role as mistress of ceremonies.
Jewell Walker, branch president, greeted guests and thanked them for their support and urged the audience to “sit back, relax and enjoy every moment.”
After guests were treated to a brunch, which included fruit, French toasts, turkey sausage, coffee and juice, Etta Kuykendall, Dovie Burl and Bonita Corbin, event tri-chairs, kicked off the fashion showcase, as they danced their way down the runway.
Ready for the journey, with luggage in hand, Margaret Boyd-Owens and Dedric Jones, served as fashion commentators. Boyd-Owens is an instructor at UAPB and Southeast Arkansas College and owner of D’Virtuous Diva Boutique, and Jones is a gospel recording artist.
Models strutted their stuff in high fashion from local boutiques, including Trammell’s, Father and Sons Clothier, Alamae’s Designer Shoe Corner, Drucilla’s, D’Virtuous Divas Boutique, Captured Moments, DC- DEZIGNZ and Heritage Fashions Boutique.
Alamae Harris, a local model, served as the boutique and fashion coordinator for this year’s event. A “Trader’s Choice” silent auction was also held and showcased a vast array of baskets of various themes prepared by members of the Pine Bluff branch.
Walker said the funds raised during the annual brunch and fashion show are used to support scholarships.
Other committee members for the event included Josephine Adams, Jerlean McRae Alley, Juanita Anthony, Dorothy Chapman-Brown, Ellen Eddings, Felicia Fisher, Mae Hawkins, Alice Horton, Brenda Davis-Jones, Cathryn Laurent, Birlee Lever, Mary Liddell, Adora Curry Nicholson, Sharon Nicholson, Eunita Seals, Dr. Christy Walker, Varnell Wallace, Amanda Wells and Arlene Woody.
Mary Liddell is the vice president and Bettye J. Williams is the national second vice president. Linda P. Armstrong of Lafayette, La., is the South Central sectional director. Dolores Y. Owens of Pennsauken, N.J. is the national president.
The Pine Bluff Branch of the National Association of University Women was founded by the late Katie B. Jackson Pierre on Feb. 8, 1945, with 15 charter members on the campus of Arkansas AM&N College (now UAPB). During the past 60 years or more, the Pine Bluff Branch has committed itself to planning, devising and organizing activities for enrichment in education, civic affairs and human relations.
