The Atlanta Inquirer

Inaugural Highlights
By Mrs. P. Q. Yancey

(Mrs. P. Q. Yancey returned Sunday night from Washington, D. C., where she participated in the inauguration festivities with her husband, Dr. P. Q. Yancey.)

The inauguration of my party's standard-bearer, our first 20th century President, made Washington, D. C., truly the crossroads of America as notables from Massachusetts to California and the nations across the sea celebrated the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in dazzling public and private gatherings.

My week began on Wednesday with the Distinguished Ladies Reception held at the National Gallery of Art, the one event held exclusively for women. The distinguished women honored included Mrs. Joseph Kennedy, mother of the President; Mrs. Hugh D. Auchincloss, mother of Mrs. John F. Kennedy; Mrs. Lyndon Johnson, Mrs. Harry Truman, the Kennedy sisters, and wives of the members of the President's cabinet and many others.

The honored guests formed four receiving lines. The Committee staggered the guests, inviting some for 3 to 4 p.m., others from 4 to 5 and a last group from 5 to 6 o'clock.

Famed Lena Horne turned up at this reception and also among the guests were Mrs. Todd Duncan, Mrs. Truman Gibson, Jr., Toki Shalk Johnson of the Pittsburgh Courier, Mrs. George Dockery, Mrs. Edward Dudley, Mrs. Marie Poston, Mrs. Chester Harris, Mrs. Russell Carter, Mrs. Bennie McLendon, Mrs. Mordecai Johnson, Dr. Jeanne Noble, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Davis, Mrs. A. T. Walden, Mrs. P. Q. Yancey.

On Thursday, the huge Inaugural Reception for Governors and Special Distinguished Guests was held at the Sheraton Park Hotel. There were 43 State Governors in attendance. President Kennedy and Vice-President Johnson were present.

The reception was a colorful one. Chiefs of diplomatic missions, many of them wearing their country's costumes, mingled with beautifully gowned women and smartly-dressed men.

There were five Inaugural Balls held simultaneously. Two additional balls were added (The Sheraton Hotel and the Statler Hotel) to the three previously announced after so many people crowded into Washington to celebrate the Inauguration. The originally announced sites for the balls were the Mayflower and Sheraton Park Hotels and the Armory. We attended the ball at the Sheraton Park Hotel. There were two bands - namely Al Hirt, A Dixieland Band and Ronald Haas and his Music Makers. The Marine Band arrived just ahead of the arrival of the President and Vice-President.

Interesting persons seen at the affair were Gerry Major (Jet) the John Sengstacke's (Chicago Defender), Harry Gibsons, Truman Gibson, Jr., Stephen Davis's (Christine), Belford Lawsons (Marjorie), George Norford's (Thomasina), Robert Mings, George Deckery, Edward Dudley's, E. Wimp's, Herbert Tuckers.

A brilliant cocktail party was given by Congressman William Dawson. There were many private parties given in homes of Washingtonians, at which old friendships were renewed and new acquaintances made.

A final highlight of my week was a Brunch at the Shoreham Hotel on Saturday. My sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., Dr. Jeanne L. Noble, National President, honored Mrs. Christine Davis, Director of Women's Cooperative Program, Democratic National Committee; Mrs. Marjorie Lawson,

Director of Civil Rights Section, Kennedy-Johnson Campaign, and Mrs. Velvalea Phillips, Democratic National Committee Woman, State of Wisconsin, for Outstanding Service on behalf of the election of John F. Kennedy, President of the United States.