[Video] ‘Hattitude’: Parade Of Hats Highlights Durham Charms Annual Mad Hatters Luncheon

Durham, NC – Worn with the head held high, African American women strut with ‘hattitude’ when wearing their elaborately adorned ‘crowns.’ Showing the world that they are queens, hats for Black women are more than just a fashion statement. It’s part of a long and cherished African American tradition.

During the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s, the growing middle class celebrated their economic successes by purchasing flashy hats and wearing them everywhere, from the office to the speakeasy. Black women appeared in church flaunting colorful, wide-brimmed hats lined in silk, sparkling with rhinestones and trimmed with flower garlands, sassy feathers, and delicate lace. In 2006, Aretha Franklin introduced and reintroduced the world to an example of church hats in the African American culture when she sang at President Obama’s inauguration.

The tradition continued on Saturday, June 1st at the Durham Chapter of Charms, Inc.’s Annual Mad Hatters Luncheon. Durham School Board member and Charm Minnie Forte-Brown served as the Mistress of Ceremony. Held at the UNC Friday Center, the highlight of the event was the ‘Parade of Hats’. On a runway adorned with hats, one by one ladies (and one gentleman) strutted with ‘hattitude’ showcasing an array of beautiful and unique hats.

Judges narrowed the Parade of Hats, commentated by Charm Forsythia Powell, down to the Top 5 Best Hats entries. Guests then voted by a show of hands to determine the Top 3 Best Hats. See highlights of the entire Mad Hatters Luncheon below.

Six women, referred to as First Ladies, were honored at the Luncheon, chaired by Charm Omega C. Parker. They are:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Joal Broun – Chair, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education
• Rani Dasi – Member, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education
• Dr. Trish Harleston – Founder, Trish Harleston Ministries
• Monika Johnson-Hostler – Member, Wake County Board of Education
• Brenda Stephens – Member, Orange County Board of Education
• Bettina Umstead – Member, Durham Public Schools Board of Education

Charm Dr. Bettina Shuford introduced the members of Durham Charms. LaQuinta Parker Perry is the President of the Chapter, after having served as the National President of Charms, Inc.  

Show off your hattitude next year. The Durham Chapter of Charms, Inc. hosts its Mad Hatters Luncheon annually on the first Saturday in June.

About Charms, Inc.

In 1952, Lavera Edward Hord contacted a group of young Pittsburgh women, suggesting that they meet one evening a month, if possible to socialize and catch up on the news in and about Pittsburgh. The majority of them were friends or acquaintances who had recently become brides or new mothers. Making contact with one another was limited because of family responsibilities.  The ladies usually gathered late in the evening, they jokingly referred to themselves as “The Midnighters.” 

As the years passed, they decided to formally organize and select a name for themselves. They voted to do use the name “Squaws.” The Pittsburgh Squaws began to increase their membership in early 1990, they became quite popular and recognized for the outstanding social events they sponsored. During this period it was proposed they apply for a charter and work toward the goal of organizing chapters in other cities. Philadelphia became the second chapter.

On February 11, 1997, the name was officially changed to Charms, Inc. Charms, Inc., is a non-profit social, civic, and cultural organization for women dedicated to high cultural standards and humanitarian services that will improve the quality of life are all. Currently, there are 21 chapters in 11 states and the District of Columbia. The husbands are referred to as Charmers and the children as Gems.

On April 29, 1972, the Durham Chapter was installed with 16 members as the eighth chapter of the organization. Mrs. Quincey Eaves was the local organizer and Charlotte was the sponsoring chapter. Two charter members, Edna Harrington and Omega Curtis Parker, have remained active with the chapter. For more than 20 years to Durham Chapter sponsored The Ebony Fashion Fair Fashion Show. Locally the Chapter has supported the Kidney Foundation, Lupus Foundation, United Negro College Fund, NAACP, North Carolina Central University Athletic Department and the Scholarship Fund, Friends of the James E. Shepherd Library, Lincoln Community Health Center Foundation, The SISI (Sister Is Inspiring Sisters, Inc.) and other organizations.

For more information about Charms, Inc., visit https://www.charmsincorporated.com/

Highlights of Durham Charms Annual Mad Hatters Luncheon (Photos/Video: Phyllis Coley):