User:Zic673/sandbox/Pals Social Club

Collection content
The Pals. With the motto "Pleasant Attitude Toward Life," the club members believed that the social life of young Black women would be more secure by having the backing of older, caring and dynamic women. The Pals selected and sponsored debutantes to develop and promote social and civic awareness, cultural dignity, pride and sense of self. In 1928 the Pals hosted their first Debutante Ball, which has continued annually.

Each Pals member chose a potential debutante to sponsor, and the coterie is selected by a vote. The debutantes must be 18 years old and enrolled in college. Once the coterie is selected, the girls attend workshops where they are mentored on proper etiquette and social graces. The African American women selected for the debutante coterie of the Pals Social Club are college students and leaders who represent the club's moral and ethical standards.

From 1947-1992 the Pals entered into an arrangement with the Van Courtlandt Club, a men's social club, with the Van Courtlandt's opening the season with a Debutante Ball and The Pals Club gala closing the season in the spring. After 1992 the Pals resumed their Debutante Presentation Ball, which is held during the Christmas season.

In 1979, the Pals were honored by the United Negro College Fund and presented the Fred D. Patterson Award. In 1992, the National Council of Negro Women honored the Pals for the organization's outstanding leadership toward the growth and development of the minority community of San Antonio.

Index Terms
Organizations


 * Pals Social Club ( San Antonio, Tex)

Subjects


 * African American women-- Texas--San Antonio
 * African Americans -- Texas-- San Antono--Societies,ect
 * Women--Texas--San Antonio--Societies and clubs
 * Women-- Texas-- San Antonio--Societies and clubs.

Locations


 * San Antonio ( Tex)

Genres/Formats


 * Newspaper Clippings
 * Photographs

Local Subjects


 * African American
 * Club and Organizations
 * Women's Groups