Our annual Green Tea Party has always been one of our most joyous occasions that so many women and girls look forward to every year. Rooted in our Girls With Voices program, it’s a day dedicated to celebrating sisterhood, women’s empowerment, and the unique voices of girls on the spectrum.
While we settled into our new space, Youth & Family Services generously hosted this year’s event at their new Activity Center in El Reno, setting the stage for a spectacular Paris-themed celebration. The facility was decked with Parisian backdrops, table clothes, centerpieces, a long red runway and two violins with red roses everywhere. Caregivers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers and friends came dressed to the nines, catching up and enjoying a space where they could truly belong. Anticipation and excitement wafted above the crowd, knowing that the main event was just getting started.
For the twelve years we’ve had Green Tea Parties, the fashion show has always been one of the highlights of the afternoon. This year, participants put their best pedicured foot forward and strutted, danced, walked, skipped and frolicked up and down the runway, all to the tune to Move Your Feet by Junior Senior and fashion commentary by our Director of Media and Communications, Sarah Lauffenburger, who’s emceed the event since its beginning.
After the fashion show came the best part of the event—participants sharing their voices, proving that communication goes far beyond spoken words. Some girls came up to sing their favorite songs, while others danced. Some girls shared their favorite quotes from the book they’re reading while others gave speeches or shared their art. Every brave participant was met with undivided attention and unrelenting support. The applause and cheers could be heard throughout the campus.
The smiles across the women’s faces were unmistakable as they said goodbye to their friends, empowered and encouraged knowing they have a community of strong women behind them no matter what life brings their way.
