It was an afternoon to reflect on the past and celebrate the future of area young women at the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club’s 60th anniversary cotillion March 29 at the Bell Auditorium.
A commemorative video highlighted previous cotillions and a founding club member reflected on her experience as part of the club, which began in 1963 when schools were still segregated. Rosa T. Beard taught at A.R. Johnson and formed a club for her students. Read more about the club’s history here. The first cotillion was in 1965.
“We had teachers who believed in all that we could be and could achieve, and they created opportunities for us,” said Patricia Wilker, one of the club’s founding members.
And members followed their mentors’ leads.
“A lot of us have gone onto mentor girls and create opportunities because of what they did for us,” she said.
The father-daughter dance is a highlight of the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Cotillion on March 29 at the Bell Auditorium. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good NewsDebutantes dance at the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club Cotillion on March 29 at the Bell Auditorium. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good NewsA father-daughter dance is a highlight of the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club Cotillion. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good NewsLegacy debutantes were honored at the 60th anniversary observance of the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club Cotillion on March 29 at the Bell Auditorium. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good NewsThe 60th anniversary of the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club Cotillion was on March 29 at the Bell Auditorium. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good NewsRussell Joel Brown sang the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club Cotillion on March 29 at the Bell Auditorium. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good NewsYoung men served as escorts for the debutantes at the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club Cotillion on March 29 at the Bell Auditorium. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good NewsPatricia Wilker, one of the first debutantes, spoke at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club Cotillion on March 29, 2025. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good NewsParents took part in the Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club Cotillion on March 29 at the Bell Auditorium. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good NewsThe Rosa T. Beard Debutante Club marked its 60th cotillion on March 29, 2025. Charmain Z. Brackett/Augusta Good News Click on advertisements for more information.
Charmain Z. Brackett, the publisher of Augusta Good News and Inspiring: Women of Augusta, has covered Augusta’s news for 35 years. Reach her at charmain@augustagoodnews.com. Sign up for the newsletter here.
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