Debutante Scholarship Cotillion

For more than 60 years, young ladies from the Michiana Community have been awarded scholarships through the Debutante Scholarship Cotillion. Eta Mu Omega Debutante Scholarship Cotillion began as a dream of one of its members, Ernestine Grayson. She envisioned a program that would emphasize the provision of educational scholarships and career goals for young ladies in the community. The program serves high school junior and senior minority ladies from the surrounding area, who are planning a future toward higher education.

The primary focus was and continues to be scholarship and academic achievement. The Debutante Cotillion Program includes the development of leadership, social skills, and a commitment to collegiate education. Twelve young ladies participated in the first Debutante Scholarship Cotillion in 1962.

Twelve young women posed before attending the first Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Mu Omega Debutante Cotillion held at the Pick-Oliver Hotel in 1961. The women in the top row - from left to right - are Rosa Williams, Judy Bell, Barbara Alfred, Anne Powell, Jan Donaldson, Sandra Graham, and Sharon McCullom. In the bottom row- from left to right - are Maureen Lanier, Alma Nesbitt Powell, Arnetta Collins Rogers, Gwen Townsend and Marsha Denney.

Photo provided/Small Collection of the Civil Rights Heritage Center, Indiana University South Bend.

Debutante Scholarship Cotillion

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The primary focus was and continues to be scholarship and academic achievement. The Debutante Cotillion Program includes the development of leadership, social skills, and a commitment to collegiate education. Twelve young ladies participated in the first Debutante Scholarship Cotillion in 1962.