ABOVE PHOTO: SEPA members pose for the camera. (Photo Credit- Katherine Azar Photography)
By Nancy Randolph
The theme of the Drifters Inc. of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s 16th Annual Hattitude for Education event was cleverly and appropriately pinned “Hattitude…So Fascinating!” The sold-out fundraiser was both a hat auction and luncheon which benefits the SEPA Scholarship Fund.
The event was held at the Sheraton Valley Forge in King of Prussia on Sunday, March 24.
Members made an entertaining, lively entrance as they modeled a couture selection of fabulous hats and fascinators. Iva Johnson Ferrell, the current president of SEPA Drifters, Inc., confirmed that two of the hats were auctioned for an amazing $1,200 each.
Guests and members of the group enjoyed photo shoots, cocktails, and shopping for jewelry and accessories from great vendors before the luncheon and show. Most importantly, they had a chance to spot and try on that hat or fascinator that caught their eye.
“Our annual Hattitude for Education was a tremendous success!” Johnson Ferrell said. “I am so proud of the Hattitude Committee, chaired by Jaynee Reeves-Davis this year, and all of the women of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of the Drifters, Inc. who worked tirelessly to ensure that this 16th Annual Hattitude for Education was ‘so fascinating’ for our nearly 500 attendees!”
SEPA officers serving with President Johnson Ferrell are: Stephanie Humphrey, Rosalind Realer, Teresa Powell and Lauren Roderick Nevin. Other SEPA members are Nicole Aqui, Kimberly Fletcher, Betha, Kendra Okolo, Jayne Brown, Nikki Paul, Tomika Bryant, Kimberly Reed, Antoinette Gomez, Jewel Reid, Carole Hodges, Sydney Howe-Barksdale, Donna Roderick, Judith Thomas, Priscilla Jackson, Brenda Williams, Sheila Mitchell, Leah Williams and Debra Wood.
Drifters, Inc. officially states that the organization is “a dynamic group of women with charitable, civic, educational, and social interests who have dedicated their talents to the enhancements of their chosen communities and the universal image of womanhood.”
Their mission is to “strengthen our families to build better communities and save our children and assist our seniors.”
Now that you know something about these outstanding ladies, let me give you a front row seat to one of the most unique and energetic fashion shows I’ve attended. Instead of using professional models, members with tremendous confidence and flair modeled the hats with unbelievable enthusiasm.
They strutted on the runway with musical motivation and attitude that really engaged the audience. Guests were taking pictures and videos with their cell phones and dancing in their seats.
Guest auctioneer TiWanna A. Kenney did a fantastic job. She is distinguished as the first and (currently) the only African-American woman to earn the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist designation.
Other highlights of the fun-filled afternoon were a delicious luncheon blessed by Sheila Mitchell, Leah Williams and Jaynee Reeves-Davis doing a great job as the M.C.s and the joy of being the winning bidder on awesome gift baskets.
Congratulations to 2019 Hattitude Chair Jaynee Reeves-Davis and her hard-working committee: Jayne Brown, Carole Hodges, Nikki Paul, Teresa Powell, Leah Williams and Debra Wood and SEPA members. Special thanks to Katherine Azar Photography for donating her services.
It was another great time to be ALL AROUND THE PHILLY SOCIAL SCENE!
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