The Heritage Cotillion and McCall Neighborhood Center
Announce Call for Participants for the 7th Biennial Heritage Debutante Ball
The Finale – A Farewell to the Director and Founder
Long-standing Community Member, Mrs. Anna Harris-Howell
EL PASO, Texas – The Cotillion Committee Members and McCall Neighborhood Center are proud to announce the 2022 Biennial Heritage Cotillion Finale! This illustrious event will be held on December 3, 2022, 6:30 p.m. at the Wyndham El Paso Airport Hotel and Water Park, 2027 Blvd., El Paso, Texas 79925.
The purpose of the 2022 Cotillion Finale as always, is to formally present to the local community, young women of African descent, age 17-19 (African-American descent, age 17-19 – high school junior or senior or college freshman (19 or younger) and are interesting in participating may complete the cotillion application and mail in as soon as possible), who have begun to initiate and achieve goals that will positively affect their lives and prepare them for future endeavors. The Committee will also bid farewell to Mrs. Anna M. Harris Howell for 28 years of service to this program. Special appreciation will be given to the committee members and the El Paso Community, who have been steadfast in their support, including financially, of the program and the debutantes over the years.
Tickets for the cotillion are $45 per person, with a reduced price for youth ages 13 – 17 ($35.00), and 12 and below ($25.00). Tickets may be obtained from any Debutante, member of the Committee or the McCall Neighborhood Center. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Cotillion Chair, Anna M. Harris-Howell, at (915) 821-4267 or 7042.819.
About the Biennial Heritage Cotillion
The Cotillion was founded in 1996 by Mrs. Bettie A. Carter, in honor of her daughter, the late Evangeline A. Carter Crawford Wilson and Mrs. Anna M. Harris-Howell. Oro Court #20, Daughters of the Imperial Court was the sponsor and host of the Cotillion from 1996 until 2010. At that time Mrs. Howell became the official director of the organization. In 2011 she presented the first Biennial Heritage Cotillion hosted by the McCall Neighborhood Center. 2022 will be the 7th Cotillion solely under her direction and ownership. The Heritage Cotillion introduces to society young African American women who have demonstrated leadership skills, moral values, talent, maturity, community service and academic potential. heritagecotillion.org
About the McCall Neighborhood Center
The McCall Neighborhood Center exists to facilitate honoring and preserving Black heritage in the Southwest. A continual call to community service activated a willingness to “do” is what the supporters of the McCall center are promoting.
The Center’s focus is on the needs of the community in arts, business, education, government and service to the community.
The McCall Neighborhood Center preserves and advances the history of the African American community in El Paso, in an atmosphere that nurtures both young and old. By offering integrated services that enhance the quality of life for all, the McCall Center is the focal point for building the community spirit that will spark community revitalization.
The McCall Neighborhood Center is El Paso’s key gathering place for many small organizations. Though the majority of the organizations that meet at the center are African American, it is open to all who desire to enhance the existence of this wonderful piece of history.
For more information about the McCall Center, please visit mccallcenter.org.
Facts: Marshall McCall was the first African American postal worker in El Paso, and his wife, Olalee, was a principal of Douglass School which was established in approximately 1895. Douglass school was an All Black school due to segregation which was ever-present in America for a period of time. The school was home to students from Kindergarten through 12th Grade.
