By Angela Ray

The National Alumnae Association of Bennett College for Women, Durham Alumnae Chapter, held its Nineteenth White Breakfast: Women of Vision Awards of Excellence recently. This fundraiser for the college was held at the North Durham Hilton.

Bennett College for Women, in Greensboro, is one of only two historically black colleges and universities dedicated to educating women. Since 1930, more than 5,000 women have graduated from the school, becoming known as "Bennett Belles."

The tradition of the white breakfast is one of historical note. Its roots date back to 1930, though it was better established by 1932 and involved students at the college who were on campus during Thanksgiving time. Years later, in 1976, it was established as an activity for Alumnae Weekend.

While the Durham Alumnae Chapter marks its Nineteenth White Breakfast this year, this is only the fifth year for the Women of Vision Awards of Excellence. The gathering Nov. 21 was an upbeat one, with many in attendance wearing blue and white. At the top of the morning, I was greeted by Bennett Belles Patricia Walker, Sylvia Jones and Vernelle Payne, who checked guests in as they arrived.

When the program began, we were welcomed and greeted by Bernadette Watts, the president of the Durham Alumnae Chapter of Bennett College for Women. Watts also presided over the program.

Breakfast was promptly served. Recognizing the need to provide various culinary options, the organizers gave the guests two choices for the meal: a traditional Southern breakfast featuring country ham, and a healthier option featuring turkey sausage.

Bennett College President Julianne Malveaux, who also is an author and columnist, spoke about the importance of continuing to support the school and the young women from across the world who have come to Bennett to learn.

Malveaux brought two students with her, one from Russia and one from Zimbabwe.

Aside from raising necessary funds for the school, Saturday's gathering also recognized three outstanding women. Recipients of the award must meet a number of criteria including being a member or a product of the greater Durham community and being a person who fosters the ideals taught at the college. This year's recipients were Andrea Bazan, Lori Jones Gibbs and Andrea Harris.

Bazan is the president of the Triangle Community Foundation. A frequent speaker at various events, last year she was named one of the 100 Most Influential Hispanics by Hispanics Business magazine. Bazan received the Community Outreach and Philanthropy Award.

Jones Gibbs is the vice president of Affordable Housing/Industry Affairs for Genworth Financial's mortgage insurance business. She is also the founder of the Delta Challenge Homeownership Initiative and Communities of Faith Home Ownership Initiative. Jones Gibbs received the Business Leader in Corporate America award.

Harris is the president of the North Carolina Institute of Minority Economic Development in downtown Durham. Harris serves on several boards including the North Carolina Economic Development Board and the Johnnetta B. Cole Institute for Global Diversity and Inclusion. Harris received the Chapter Phenomenal Woman Award and is a Bennett Belle.

Somerhill holiday event

I ended my week at the 32nd Annual Somerhill Holiday for Collectors Exhibition. The event took place at Somerhill Gallery in downtown Durham.

'Tis the season to be jolly and special prices were marked with holly at the gallery throughout the afternoon.

As a holiday consideration for the month of December, all of the artwork, marked with a sprig of holiday holly was offered at lower prices.

While the event was free and open to the public, reservations were strongly encouraged. Guests picked one hour of the three-hour event that was their special time to visit and shop at the gallery.

I picked the final hour of the afternoon.

Upon arrival, I noticed gallery owner Joe Rowand greeting guests.

Judy and Jack Keene of Durham took time out of their day to come out for the event.

The latter Keene is a professor at Duke and he said this is his first time visiting the gallery since it moved to Durham from Chapel Hill.

He was particularly impressed with the outdoor courtyard area of the facility. The couple was scouting various pieces of artwork.

A lot of the artwork in the exhibit included paintings of familiar scenes around the area. For example, there were four different paintings of Crook's Corner.

Along with the paintings, there were pieces of jewelry, silk ties, and sculptures.

Kaye Anne Aikins of Chapel Hill admired a number of unique pieces throughout her visit to the gallery.

A native of Roanoke, Va., and a former Durham resident, Aikins shared that she owns jewelry purchased from the gallery in the past.

The exhibit on Sunday was a great way to kick off the holiday season.

Angela Ray is an actress, author and motivational speaker. For comments or tips on future events, e-mail her at Angela@mahoganydime.com.