The event focuses on women. Just everyone coming together for a girl’s night out and having a good time."Dr. Vicki Hawsey Karolewics, President of WSCC
CULLMAN – Once a year the ladies of Cullman County come together for a night of fun and great food. The Little Black Dress Event came around once again this past Saturday to benefit the Wallace State women’s scholarship funds.
“We have a tremendous group of planners for this, those from our advancement office, and it is led by our alumni association with Leah Bolin as president. They work very hard to make it a success,” said Wallace State Community College President Dr. Vicki Hawsey Karolewics.
According to Karolewics, this night is about two things: fundraising and women empowerment.
“The event focuses on women,” she said. “Just everyone coming together for a girl’s night out and having a good time. It is also especially meaningful with proceeds going to women’s scholarships since many of the women here tonight are professionals and business women who know what it means to have opportunity, and this gives a way for us to build endowments for scholarships to help other women.”
Director of Advancement at Wallace State, Suzanne Harbin, touched on just how much money this event can pull in to help women at Wallace.
“Last year we raised around $20,000 gross profits,” Harbin stated. “Net profits of that going back to the Outstanding Women scholarship fund was around $12,000. We try to change things every year so you never have the same thing twice, and it has went well. It’s always a sold out crowd.”
The atmosphere created is one of kind, keeping a refined elegance with a fun party atmosphere. The venue of choice for the past few years has been Top of the Town, which offers a luxurious atmosphere and plenty of space. Judy Pitts of Designs by Grace catered the food, with a scrumptious meal of stuffed Italian chicken, white asparagus and pasta that all in attendance raved about.
After the meal, women were able to hit the dance floor with live music from the Bootyshakers.
Another unique aspect of the night is the wait staff that is comprised of men in the community that want to help make a difference, such as East Elementary Principal Mike Wiggins.
“I have been with this event since the beginning,” Wiggins said. “Simple reason why I volunteer is to support Wallace State and their women’s scholarships, you know, girl power! I also love to be a waiter at these events because I get to meet so many wonderful people and businesses give and give for education.”
Between sold out ticket sales, proceeds from the silent auction with donated items from local businesses, and tips to the waiters, the event is sure to have raised a lot of money for the cause. For more information on this event, or the Outstanding Women’s Scholarship Fund, call Wallace State at 256-352-8000.
