The Cosmopolitan Club gathered for its first meeting of the new year on the beautiful, winter afternoon of January 3rd. Hostess Bonnie James and her special guest Bobbi Eure welcomed the group to the fellowship hall of the Senatobia Methodist Church, where they had festively arranged on each table quaint, flickering lanterns encircled by sprigs of holly. Those present were treated to delicious snack plates of mini sub sandwiches, cheese, fruit, and pineapple-orange punch catered by The Coffee Shoppe.
Debbie Perkins shared a devotional message based on Ezekiel 36:26-27, encouraging everyone to resolve in 2025 to choose to receive a new Spirit and a new heart as gifts from God. She gave examples of how to establish better daily habits, such as Bible reading, prayer, and showing love to others.
As the meeting’s highlight, Stephenia H. McGee, a Mississippi author of Christian historical fiction, shared photos of how women’s fashions evolved from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. She wore a lovely, authentically reproduced emerald green dress worn by a model on the cover of her book, In His Eyes.
Members were amazed to learn that women might change outfits as many as five times in a day to appear appropriately attired for meals, receiving guests, and strolling outdoors. Mrs. McGee revealed the intriguing details that several female spies used their wide, hoop skirts to smuggle secrets to aid the Confederacy during wartime.
The success of feminine espionage changed public perception and acceptance of new societal roles for women, which benefited the suffrage movement. After the author answered questions from the audience, program leader Sharon Harris expressed the club’s gratitude to Mrs. McGee for fostering a deeper appreciation for members of the resilience and ingenuity of women in our state’s history.
Debbie Perkins, vice president, led a brief business meeting and adjourned the club until February.
