Woman’s Club of White Plains Foundation Holds Scholarship Luncheon & Fashion Show

On Saturday, May 20, the Woman’s Club of White Plains held its Annual Scholarship Luncheon & Fashion Show at the CV Rich Mansion on Ridgeway. A rain-free day allowed guests to enjoy the beautiful house as well as the gardens. This year’s luncheon will enable the Woman’s Club to grant scholarships to eighteen deserving White Plains students, continuing a tradition at the Woman’s Club which goes back 65 years.

The highlight of this year’s event was the awarding of the first Belle Knight Memorial Scholarship. Belle Knight was the first president of the Woman's Club of White Plains, serving from 1916-1918. Ms. Knight was passionately involved in her community serving with the Red Cross, the suffrage movement, League of Women Voters, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Auxiliary of the YWCA. During WWI, she raised money for the war effort and collected over 4000 lbs. of clothing which was sent to refugees. In 1920, Ms. Knight was the first woman elected to the Common Council of the City of White Plains and is known as the mother of the Community Chest (now United Way) for bringing it to White Plains.

Maryann Martin, president of the Woman’s Club of White Plains Foundation said, “We are excited to be able to present this new scholarship which will enable talented young women to make a positive impact in our futures”. The first recipient of this scholarship, Abril Lopez Melendez, has an impressive record and embodies the principles of leadership, dedication to public service and volunteerism. She plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall.

Past scholarship recipients also spoke of the impact receiving a scholarship had on their lives. Sylvia del Carmen Roberts graduated from Princeton University and later learned a PhD in psychology from Columbia University. Raina Kadavi who is a rising junior at Boston University just returned from an internship in London where she worked with a member of Parliament.

Lord & Taylor again supplied the clothing and accessories that were modeled at the luncheon. The models were drawn from the White Plains school district as well as the Woman’s Club. Fashion shows have been an annual event at the Woman’s Club almost since its inception. A slide presentation of some of the fashions featured at past shows was displayed and Ms. Martin remarked “We have certainly come a long way since paper pantsuits!” She thanked Lord & Taylor for their generosity in supporting the show again this year.

The Woman’s Club, which celebrated its centennial in 2016, has a long history of supporting local charities and scholarship programs. It also is responsible for maintaining the historic CV Rich Mansion, built in 1911. The next event coming up at the Woman’s Club is the third annual Jazz for the Gardens, featuring Glenda Davenport and the Hiroshi Yamazaki Trio. The date is June 8. The jazz event will support the restoration of the gardens at the Woman’s Club. Further information and tickets can be obtained at www.womansclubofwhiteplains.org/Future-Events.html.

The Woman’s Club of White Plains is a diverse group of women with a shared sense of civic responsibility and a desire to give back to the community. Its mission is to enhance the lives of others as well as their members by participating in and sponsoring volunteer, charitable and fund-raising activities as well as social, educational and networking opportunities. In addition, the Club is also responsible for maintaining and restoring the historic CV Rich mansion, its clubhouse since 1930. The Woman’s Club believes every woman can contribute to the various opportunities the Club offers and invites women of all ages to join them as they continue their work to improve our communities. For more information about Club events and membership, see the website www.womansclubofwhiteplains.org.

PHOTO 1

L – R, Ybelize Pilarte, Scholarship Committee Chair, Abril Lopez Melendez, 2017 Belle Knight Memorial Scholarship Winner, Maryann Martin, president, Woman’s Club of White Plains Foundation

PHOTO 2

L – R, Models from the Woman’s Club, Theresa Stagg, Peggy Robinson, Megan Martin and Claudia Melo

Photos by Jody Calderon, White Plains, NY, May 20, 2017