Celebrating the Pioneers of Social Grace and Refinement in the Modern Age
Yet today, in our fast-paced, digital-driven world, many of our young girls (and boys) seem to have lost some of the appreciation for grace, poise, sophistication, and self-respect.
It’s important to reflect on the incredible women who fought for the opportunity to teach social skills, etiquette, and decorum to women of color at a time when such training was not readily available to them. While names like Martha Dandridge, former First Lady of the United States, and Emily Post are widely recognized for their contributions to etiquette, there are pioneering figures in our history who shaped the landscape of social grace and empowerment for African American women, including Nannie Helen Burroughs, Miss Sarah C. R. Jones, and Mary McLeod Bethune, to name a few.
These women understood that in a society that often relegated women of color to the margins, it was essential to equip them with the skills to thrive in elevated social settings such as Washington D.C., New York, Paris, and beyond. Their dedication to refining the social conduct of black women was an act of resistance in itself, proving that even when society tried to limit opportunities, there was immense power in education, grace, and sophistication.
Nannie Helen Burroughs, who founded the National Training School for Women and Girls, emphasized the importance of a holistic education that included both intellectual and social development. Miss Sarah C. R. Jones, though less known today, created an educational space where black women could learn the arts of refinement and deportment—skills that were often reserved for white women of privilege. And Mary McLeod Bethune, who founded the Bethune-Cookman School for Girls, was a fierce advocate for empowering young black women to navigate the world with confidence and dignity.
Upholding Timeless Elegance in a Digital World: A Call to Grace and Poise
Yet today, in our fast-paced, digital-driven world, many of our young girls seem to have lost some of the appreciation for grace, poise, sophistication, and self-respect. Many young women of color, as early as 12 or 13, are often seen wearing overly revealing garments and speaking in ways that do not reflect the refinement that was once deemed necessary for success in high society. Is this due to societal changes, evolving customs, or perhaps something deeper? Have we forgotten the importance of maintaining high standards of decorum?
At Avenues of Excellence Finishing School, we believe that grace, poise, and elegance will never go out of style. Like that timeless, valuable garment in your wardrobe, they remain forever in fashion. And when worn, they cause those who see you to take note of your presence. Our mission is to ensure that women of color—along with all women and men—understand the importance of thriving in elevated social settings. Just as the women before us fought for access to these skills, we continue to champion the need for social refinement, empowering the next generation to rise to their full potential. From proper hair grooming, speech, and conduct to self-appreciation and dressing in a fashion befitting a lady of society, we believe these timeless skills are crucial.
It’s unclear when or where house shoes, bonnets, or public gyration became the societal norm, but we must not revert back. We must continue to press forward, upholding the values that these trailblazing women instilled in us. The legacy of grace and sophistication is one we must proudly carry into the future. Proper conduct is not a trend, and it is definitely not a weakness. It is timeless and a beacon of power. Lest we forget!
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