An Evening of Elegance
By Ann Miner, High Desert Branch
Women in long dresses, some wearing wrist corsages made of ribbons and roses; men in black tuxedos, sporting similar boutonnieres; tables with fluffy floral centerpieces; various shades of pink balloons in abundance around the ballroom; glitter and glamor were the style of the evening.
It was the annual night of the Today’s Woman Foundation to honor Women of Excellence. And what a night it was.
After a scrumptious meal, after the silent auction and the cork pull for wines, the ceremony began. The nine honorees were announced one at a time. A long resume of her accomplishments was read before she was formally introduced. Then she was escorted down the red carpet by one of those men in tuxedos as the music soared. In my case, “Annie’s Song” played, while I got chills.
After she gave a 60-second “speech,” she was presented with a lovely etched-glass trophy and a large bag of proclamations from the State Senate, the Assembly, Boards of Supervisors and City of Hesperia and Town of Apple Valley.
We honorees had been informed of the evening three months ahead of time, but it was far grander than any of us could have imagined. We were being thanked for our years of accomplishments, for service to the community, for going above and beyond. But most of us felt unworthy.
We have just done what we felt was needed, what we felt led to do, and we enjoyed doing it. And, as for me, I have never been so humbled in my life.
Now, a week later, I wonder if it was all a dream.
“An Evening of Elegance” first appeared in the November 2024 Inkslinger,
newsletter of the High Desert Branch.