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41st annual Beaux Ball a smasher

[[image]] Cathy Connors

This week's column has been written by Thomasina Norford while Cathy Connors is out of town.

The National Urban League Guild held its 41st annual Beaux Arts Ball at the Waldorf Astoria last Friday evening under the presidency of Mrs. Mollie Moon.

The Guild climaxed a long history of fabulous and glamorous balls this year as it saluted the Third World and went international synchronizing a mix of society, diplomats, affluence, achievers and generally people who care about equal opportunity.

Without a doubt this was the best yet with every aspect of a top flight event covered including guests of distinction, beautiful people, those classy guild members as hosts and hostesses, pageantry, heavenly music, entertainment, dancing and the diplomatic corps. 

The evening began with a Reception for honored guests and diplomats by the American Express Publishing Company, publishers of Travel and Leisure and hosted by the President John Connors and his devastatingly beautiful wife, Cathy Connors who was more ravishing than ever in a gold draped gown from Bahrain with 24K gold jewelry that highlighted the gold of her skin.

Chief G.K.J. Amachree of Lagos, Nigeria, one of Nigeria's most influential, brilliant and affluent businessmen and formerly Under Secretary of the United Nations with credentials of college in Lagos and law degrees from the University of London and Cambridge, was a guest of honor. He was escorted to the dais by Miss Helen Harden in a Kenyan print evening gown.

H.E. Ambassador Alex Quaison Sackey, former Ambassador from Ghana, and former president of the U.N.'s General Assembly and a member of the Security Council, with credentials of degrees from Exeter College, Oxford; London School of Economics; Doctor of Laws from the university of Southern California and author of "Africa Unbound". He was escorted to the dais by Mrs. Beryl Campbell in a turquoise silk sari embroidered in gold and silver sequins.

H.E. Tommy Thong Bee Koh Ambassador to the United Nations and High Commissioner to Canada from Singapore was an honoree of the Guild. He has served as vice president of the General Assembly of the UN. He is an authority on the law of the sea. He is from the University of Singapore, Harvard and Cambridge University in London. He was escorted by Florence Dixon in a French designed black sequin dress.

The Honorable Bradford Morse, Administrator of the UN, has served as Congressman from Massachusetts; aided in drought relief in Africa, is on the Board of the Pan American Development Foundation and World Rehabilitation Fund. He is from Boston University, and Northeastern. Mollie Lee Elliott escorted him to the dais in a black sequin top and black faille full skirt.

Travel expert Frances Blackwell was an honoree. She is an authority on African travel; has been travel editor of Essence Magazine; is international president of the African Travel Association and on the Advisory Boards of TWA, Pan American Airlines and the Norwegian-Caribbean cruise Lines, Dr. Maurice Russell escorted her to the dais.

James Van Der Zee internationally known photographer was another honoree for his historical documentation and artistic skill and has received recognition at the White House and the Pierre Touissant Award from Cardinal Cook. He is the author of "Harlem on My Mind", "The World of James Van Der Zee" and "The Harlem Book of the Dead". His escort was Donna Van Der Zee in a Victorian gown.

The highlight of the pageant came when Mrs. Mollie Moon stately and elegant, in a yellow silk caftan came to the dais on the arms of two Honorary co-chairmen of the Ball - H.E. Alejandro Orfilo of Argentina and Secretary General of the Organization of American States and Ambassador Oumar Garba Youssoufou of Niger and Executive Secretary of the Organization of African Unity.

Mrs. Cathy Connors and Beryl Campbell were Co-chairpersons of the ball.

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[[caption]] Van Der Zee was acclaimed [[/caption]]

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[[caption]] Mollie Moon and Bradford Morse [[/caption]]

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