Bill Text: MS HC42 | 2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled
Bill Title: Cotillion Federated Club; commend and congratulate on the occasion of its 55th anniversary.
Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 4)
Status: (Passed) 2010-02-01 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HC42 Detail]
Download: Mississippi-2010-HC42-Enrolled.html
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Perkins, Bailey, Fredericks, Smith (27th)
House Concurrent Resolution 42
(As Adopted by House and Senate)
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE COTILLION FEDERATED CLUB UPON THE SPECIAL OCCASION AND CELEBRATION OF ITS 55TH ANNIVERSARY.
WHEREAS, the Cotillion Federated Club of Greenwood, Mississippi, is being honored and recognized for its outstanding contributions to the community as it celebrates its 55th anniversary; and
WHEREAS, the Cotillion Federated Club was organized in September 1955 by a group of college educated women, who saw the need to form a social and civic group in the community; and
WHEREAS, more specifically, the club formed in Greenwood, Mississippi, when young forward-thinking women who enjoyed playing cards together began to assemble on a regular basis, and during the course of the card games dynamic discussions would arise concerning the status quo of the community, the state, and the nation; and
WHEREAS, out of these discussions, a greater awareness of a need to provide a service to the community was recognized and
because of the interest of these brave young women, the Cotillion Club was organized; and
WHEREAS, the founding members of the club were Frances Robertson, Lorene Miller, Jocylon Brown, Alma Thomas, Ruth Harris, Silverzee Brown, Annie Rushing, Roberta Fields, Hattie Jenkins, Annita McGee, Daisy Williams and Virginia Snapp; and
WHEREAS, after several months of operation, the club was approached by local members of the Mississippi State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs who encouraged them to consider joining their state organization; and
WHEREAS, members of the Cotillion Club, after much discussion, voted to pursue the idea of becoming federated after receiving guidance and encouragement from then District President Mrs. Mary J. Wilkes and Ms. Amanda Elzy, both of whom were members of the Mississippi Federation of Colored Women's Clubs; and
WHEREAS, these two Federated women requested a membership application from the state organization for the Cotillion Club and with the assistance and guidance of Mrs. Wilkes and Ms. Elzy, the Cotillion Club was able to complete the application process; and
WHEREAS, after submission of membership dues and completion of the chartering ceremony, the Cotillion Club officially became a member of the Mississippi State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs in January of 1957; and
WHEREAS, the Cotillion Club's motto is "Even if to the end, we will succeed," and yellow and pea green were selected as the club's colors and the yellow rose as the club's flower; and
WHEREAS, the Cotillion Federated Club has made numerous contributions to Greenwood and Leflore County communities which include programs and activities over the years such as financial support to the St. Francis Senior Citizens Christmas Party, free lunches for needy children prior to the inception of the federally funded free lunch program and wheelchairs for the handicapped; and
WHEREAS, the club also contributes to the 4H Club, Greenwood Recreational Center, Boy's and Girl's State, Greenwood Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, March of Dimes, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, Newspapers in Education Program, Salvation Army Adopt-a-Family Program, and the Greenwood Inter-Faith Ministries Community Kitchen; and
WHEREAS, The Cotillion Club members also provide volunteer services to the Inter-Faith Ministries Community Kitchen, proctors for public school testing programs, and the Chamber of Commerce Clean-up Campaign, which demonstrates their committment and selflessness to assist the community; and
WHEREAS, some of the educational programs/activities sponsored by the Cotillion Federated Club include College and Career Day for high school students, youth forums, field trips, community health forums and a Black History Quiz Bowl; and
WHEREAS, the Cotillion Federated Club annual scholarship program has grown from one scholarship to 11 per year for graduating seniors from either Greenwood/Leflore County Schools, Mississippi School of Math and Science, or the Mississippi School of the Arts; and
WHEREAS, starting in 1957, the Cotillion Federated Club made great strides in promoting healthy social development of black youth in the Greenwood/Leflore County area; and
WHEREAS, this goal was accomplished by sponsoring a junior girls group known as the Cotillion Debutante Club and by serving as a cosponsor to a group of young men called the Esquires; and
WHEREAS, under the sponsorship of the Cotillion Federated Club, the Debutante Club and the Esquires organizations functioned successfully from 1957 through 1990 and were able to offer informative programs that enhanced the social and educational skills of over 300 black teens in the Leflore County area; and
WHEREAS, the Cotillion Federated Club has always had one major type of fund-raising project since its inception, and the first project was the Miss Greenwood Contest (1956), followed by the Miss Spirit of Greenwood (1958), Miss Greenwood of Bronzeville (1960), Calendar Festival (1982-1985), and the Red and White Ball/Pageant, which began in 1986 and continues today; and
WHEREAS, the Cotillion Federated Club has used other fund-raising activities which include a beauty contest, invitational dances, and talent shows, and the proceeds from these fund-raising events were/are used to fund scholarships and to support projects that benefit the community; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to commend outstanding organizations, such as the Cotillion Federated Club, that continues to demonstrate a notable commitment to their community, while simultaneously impacting lives in a positive manner:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the Cotillion Federated Club on the occasion of its 55th anniversary and express hope for its continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the Cotillion Federated Club and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.
