Les Dames Magnifique celebrated 61 years of service to the Jones County community on Sept. 24, 2022, at Healy Point of River North. Organized in 1961 by a group of professional African American Women, it has stood the test of time. The program was both entertaining and informative for attendees. Mr. Donald Black served as the Master of Ceremonies, while club members participated in the program. The repast was both nutritious and delicious. It consisted of green beans, baked potato, pot roast and pound cake for dessert. After dinner, toasts were made to wish us continued success. Entertainment activities, which club members have participated in, include the following: plays at the Grand Opera House and Omni theater; concerts at the Macon Coliseum, the Atlanta Jazz Festival, and trips to New Orleans to travel down Bourbon Street. Service activities that Les Dames have done are as follows: Jones County Relay for Life (donating over $2,000 yearly since its inception), mentorships at the local Boys and Girls Club, donations of needed supplies to the Jones County Senior Citizens Association, and story reading to primary students at our elementary schools.
Since 1967, the most important contributions that Les Dames Magnifique has made is to donate college scholarships to deserving students. From 1963-1970, the valedictorian of Califf High School received it. From 1971-2022, the African American student with the highest GPA at Jones County High has been given this prestigious award.
Members of our organization are as follows: Agnes Adkins, Verneda Appling, Kahadija Baker, Lisa Bell, Gloria Bland, Keith Bryant, Ann Carter, Caroline Dumas, Twella Grant, Evelyn Hill, Mildred Kitchens, Mary Lawson, Mattie Middlebrooks, Celecia Morgan, Hilda Norman, Aliia Pitts, Jimmie Pitts, Keshia Pitts, Vivian Pitts, Debra Purnell, Carol Stewart, Geraldine Thomas, Nettie Ward and Barbara West.
(Club members celebrated Mrs. Lawson’s 100th birthday at Saint Paul AME Church in August 2021.) Deceased members include the following: Debra Barnes, Willie Battle, Shirley Black, Mary L. Bland, Ruth Bohler, Fedora Patterson, Ann Ussery and Betty Williams.
Even though Les Dames Magnifique has existed for over six decades, we have only just begun. Stay tuned to see where we can go from here, as we continue to grow and to serve our community.
