Posted Date: July 2, 2008
Bachelor-Benedict Social Club's 75th Anniversary
By Evelyn Sears Peevy
How delightful it was to have the opportunity to attend the 75th anniversary of the Bachelor-Benedict Social Club’s Dinner Dance at Norfolk’s Sheraton Hotel Friday, June 20. We call that club one of Norfolk’s premier organizations. Through the years members of the club have had a steadfast commitment to holding Debutante Cotillions. Thousands of young ladies had the opportunity to be introduced to society by being selected as a Bachelor-Benedict Debutante. The men have given freely of their money while sponsoring the young ladies, and for that over 2,000 young ladies have been honored as Debs. They all have taken their rightful place in their communities.
Serving as master of ceremonies was Don Roberts of WAVY-TV 10 and his counter-part Janet Roach of WVEC-TV 13, was. the mistress of ceremonies. The two of them kept things lively. The Good Life Band provided the instrumental prelude and other music throughout the night. The Rev. Irving W. Knight, presiding elder emeritus of the African Methodist Episcopal Church gave the prayer of invocation and the grace.
The Honorable Anthony L. Burfoot, vice mayor, City of Norfolk, gave the welcome. Greetings were rendered by the Honorable Kenneth Alexander, member of the Virginia House of Delegates; the Honorable Dwight Parker, vice mayor, City of
Chesapeake and the Honorable Dr. William “Bill” Ward., emeritus mayor of Chesapeake.
Ms. Cynthia Cheatham, sister of the Bachelor-Benedict Social Club and a former Woman of the Year, gave remarks on the generous work of the men in showcasing young ladies. Two other Women of the Year, who had been honored by the club for their community-service involvement, gave remarks: Dr. Evelyn Sears Peevy and Ms. Lillian Brinkley. They both recounted how the men worked in recognizing young ladies and how the community and other Women of the Year recipients owe them a debt of gratitude.
Artistic expressions through song and dance were given by Erika Bricker, Karen Owens and Julia Freeman. A former president of the club, Mr. Otis Jackson, spoke on the history of Bachelor-Benedict. from its founding by a former Booker T. Washington teacher and motivator, the late Mr. Walter C. Fulford.
Mr. Fulford envisioned the purpose of the club was to promote and encourage a social atmosphere among men of like ideas, the virtues of true fellowship, the active involvement in fraternal and charitable affairs while continuing always to promote the highest standards of womanhood in its selection of debutantes.
Don Roberts and Janet Roach presented members of the Club along with wives or sweethearts. All former Dabs in attendance were also recognized as well as members of Delta Upsilon Beta Sorority that is composed of former Debs.
James Simmons, the reporter/public relations officer, presented Bachelor Awards to several men of the club as well as to the one sister of the club, Ms. Cheatham.
Mrs. Sharon Cherry, president of Delta Epsilon Beta Sorority and its members presented special commemorative gifts to the men. Later Mrs. Sandra J. Anthony, president of the Bachelor-Benedict Wives and Sweethearts Auxiliary and her members also presented keep-sakes to the men.
Alvin Coleman, president of the club gave the closing remarks after which, it was party time for the members and their guests.
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