Members of Coterie aren’t afraid to tackle tough subjects, that’s for certain.
The gracious and well-spoken women who belong to this 90-year-old study group might look like they’d stick to topics associated with the finer things in life, but don’t let their genteel appearance fool you.
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They want to know the world around them and what makes people tick. With the help of books, guest speakers and research materials, they meet one Saturday a month to examine whatever issue is the year’s focus.
During the 2004-2005 club year, which has just concluded, President Lorene Peters and Coterie’s 18 active and four honorary members looked at several hot-topic issues.
Veteran educator Marie Greenwood, who joined Coterie in 1937, hosted the meeting at which Michael Brewer, Art Thomas and Morris Price from Denver’s Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Center led a discussion on gay rights. Dr. Trevor Williams from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center shared perspectives on stem-cell research at a meeting hosted by Janet Durst, a Coterie member since 1983. Abortion was the topic for Esther Nelson, who joined in 1946 and spoke at a meeting held at member Erma Ford’s home. Altheia Powell, a member since 1998, outlined the pros and cons of interracial adoption when past president Ida Daniel was the host.
While the monthly meetings are for members only, the Closing Luncheon is a time for guests to share in Coterie’s fellowship.
This year, the Rev. James Peters of New Hope Baptist Church was the keynote speaker, and entertainment was by soprano Nora Robinson and young vocalist Marissa Murdock. Marilyn Richardson Lewis gave the welcome; Joyce Washington recalled Coterie’s history; and Terry Nelson announced that the session was being dedicated to longtime member Flora Johnson, who is ill. Johnson’s husband, Paul; daughters Jacqueline Spivey, Gloria Wright and Pauletta Jackson; and sisters Della Scarver and Minnie Utsey represented their beloved relative.
Artist Dolores Finley, a member since 1982, invited her sisters, Grace Jordan and Frances Currin, to take part in the event held at the Marriott Tech Center. Elenora Crichlow, who serves on the membership committee with Jane Pigford and Terry Nelson, was host to a group that included Faye Tate, Nina Henderson Moore, Gladys Wortham and Glenda Barry.
Wortham and her husband, Wallace Wortham, had attended a fraternity reunion in Hilton Head, S.C., and visited former Denverites Joyce and retired Judge Robert Patterson, who make their home in the South Carolina resort city. Barry and her husband, former Denver Bronco Odell Barry, were celebrating their 38th wedding anniversary that day.
Other guests were Ruby Kirk-Gray; Ernestine Gipson; Dianne Briscoe and her mom, Ruth Denny; Jane Draine; Betty Edwards; Aquilla McKnight; Sharon Daniels; Arlene Rhodes; Thelma Gash; Irma James; and Sheila Lewis, whose husband, Mark, is polemarch, or president, of Denver alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jmdpost@aol.com.
