Les Soeurs Charmantes Social and Civic Club

History

On November 3, 1968, Mrs. Melissa L. Demby, a member of the Camille Art & Literary Club assembled at her house a group to form an organization whose purpose was to promote service, philanthropic, cultural, and social interest to benefit the members and the community. These young women were receptive to the idea and agreed to organize. The club was named The Les Soeurs Charmantes Social and Civic Club.  Colors selected for the organization were blue and white. A club song was later written to the tune of “My Fair Lady” by club member Daisy Bell.  November 3, 1968, the elected officers, and the founding membership:
 
In 1970, Les Soeurs Charmantes Social and Civic Club became an affiliate of the National Association of Colored Women’s Club, Inc., under the auspices of the Camille Art & Literary Club, Inc.  

 

Les Soeurs Charmantes Club presented 16 girls to society at our first Debutante Ball in March of 1971.  The purpose of this event was to encourage Black girls to take pride in their character and scholarship.

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In 1987, Les Soeurs Charmantes honored outstanding educators of Vicksburg and Warren County at Bethel A.M.E. Church.  Educators honored included: Mrs. Patricia Miller, James Wilson, Jr., Mrs. Beverly Gaskin, Kermit Harness, John Walls, Mrs. Rita Wyatt, Mrs. Clara Washington, Otis Williams, Robert Reddix, Donnell Ellis, Mrs. Dorothy Daniel, Mrs. Myrtle Murray, Robert Pickett, Eugene Durman, Lavern McClelland, James Stirgus, Mrs. Georgia Moore, Mrs. Alma Smith, and William Bowman.

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We celebrated twenty-five years of debutante balls in 1997.

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During the 40th Annual Debutante Ball on February 11, 2012, Les Soeurs Charmantes Social and Civic Club recognized members for their dedicated service to the club and 30 years or more service in education.  The members recognized were Helen Bell Bowman, Gwendolyn Lee Brown, Beverly Miller Gaskin, Dr. Allene Demby Gayles, Shirley Coleman Harris, Willie Mae Newsom Harrison, Edna Grayson Minor, Sherrie Phelps Moran, Carolyn Webster Strothers, and Dr. Alice Conley Powell.

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On April 28, 2012, The Club celebrated 40 years of debutante balls at the Vicksburg Convention Center.  Les Soeurs Charmantes Social and Civic Club commemorated this milestone with the Reunion of Debutantes.  The theme was “The Way We Were”.  Carolyn Strothers served as chairperson.  The Reunion of Debutantes honored and highlighted the debutantes from 1971 to 2012. 

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2012 Officers
Dr. Kenya Gaskin, President
Lisa Johnson, Vice-President    

Beverly Gaskin*, Treasurer
Leah Sullivan*, Recording Secretary    

Dr. Ethel Lassiter**, Financial Secretary
Deborah Potts*, Asst. Recording Sec.    

Gwen Brown*+, Corresponding Sec.
Carolyn Strothers**, Historian    

Helen Bowman*+, Parliamentarian
Shirley Harris+, Chaplain    

Lisa McGowan*, Reporter

Members
Carolyn Bradford*           Mary Kenney*           Joanne Gibbs             Sherrie Moran*
Dr. Allene Gayles*            Edna Minor*    Willie Mae Hunter*+        Dr. Alice Powell**

    

On April 2, 2014, Honorable Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi in the House of Representatives honored Les Soeurs Charmantes Social and Civic Club. Mr. Thompson stated, “Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a group of women who has shown what can be done through hard work, dedication and desire to serve their community, the Les Soeurs Charmantes Social and Civic Club. This Social and Civic Club has served as an informational vehicle in the Warren County community and the state of Mississippi.”

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On November 10, 2018, Les Soeurs Charmantes celebrated its 50th Anniversary (1968 – 2018).  The theme was “Celebrating 50 Years of Vision That Became a Reality”.  The program included Greetings, Presentation of Charter Members and Club Members, Memorial Tribute to Deceased Members, toast, and luncheon.  Special thanks extended to guests, citizens of Warren County, the City of Vicksburg, and surrounding areas for their support throughout the fifty years.  Helen Bowman served as chairperson.

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2018 Officers
Mrs. Leah Sullivan*, President
Ms. Beverly Gaskin*+, Vice President    

Ms. Lisa Johnson, Recording Sec.
Dr. Ethel Lassiter**, Asst. Recording Sec.    

Mrs. Gwen Brown*, Correspondence Sec.   
Mrs. Natasha Moran*, Financial Sec.    

Mrs. Deborah Potts*, Treasurer
Mrs. Carolyn Strothers**+, Historian    

Mrs. Lisa McGowan*, Chaplain
Mrs. Carolyn Bradford*, Parliamentarian    

Members 
Mrs. Helen Bowman*+
Dr. Kenya Gaskin*
Dr. Allene Gayles*
Mrs. Shirley C. Harris+
Mrs. Willie Mae Harrison*
Mrs. Mary Kenney*
Mrs. Sherrie Moran*
Dr. Alice Powell**
Ms. Shirley Smith*
Mrs. Aissa Washington*
Ms. Oneka Washington*
+Founding Members

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Some of our community service projects through the years include American Legion Boys State, American Legion Girls State, Thanksgiving Dinners, Kelso Kids, Angel Tree, Children Shelter, Nursing Homes, NAACP, Clara Rhodman Prosser Scholarships, Weekend Food Backpack, Veteran Transition Center, Beulah Cemetery Restoration, Jack and Jill of America, Debutante Book Scholarships, and Patricia A. Segrest 5K Sickle Cell Walk.