Fanciful chapeaus graced hundreds of heads on Sunday during a hat show and luncheon at New World Landing in downtown Pensacola. "Hats so Divine in 2009" was the ninth annual scholarship fundraiser sponsored by the Pensacola Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Inc.
"We are here to honor some special students and to have fun," said Mamie Webb Hixon, event emcee and vice president of budget and finance for the organization, which raises scholarship money for local black high school seniors at the hat show.
Hixon said that more than $70,000 has been awarded to students since the fundraiser began.
Ten outstanding area students received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 at the afternoon extravaganza.
But it was the hats — beaded, flowered, feathered and furred — that stole the show.
As R&B and hip-hop music filled the air, a panel of judges circulated in the crowd of 600 attendees, looking for winning hats in categories such as "Most Stylish" and "Most Creative."
"I don't know how I'll ever choose," said Freda Snowden, on-air personality for WRNE-980 AM, clutching her judge's clipboard. "Some of these hats are just incredible."
A pink foam flamingo bobbed on the head of Frances Yeo, outgoing president of Junior Achievement of Northwest Florida.
"I came last year and loved it, so I had to come back," said Yeo, who coordinated her whimsical hat with a matching coat and lapel pin. "It's a good cause and a lot of fun."
Raymond Corner, 50, of Pensacola was among several men, including Escambia County Sheriff David Morgan, dressed to the nines at the fashionable fundraiser.
"I saw one hat and wondered how many birds had to die for all those feathers," Corner said, laughing. "But fashion makes the person, and there are some wonderful people here today."
Lola Presley, a founding member of the Pensacola chapter of 100 Black Women, described the hat show as a unique way to improve the community.
"I joined 100 Black Women because I wanted to do something positive," she said. "The hats are wonderful. But in the end, the show is about helping these fine young students continue their education and improve their lives."
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