The Owl Club has helped create opportunities for Black youth, primarily, but not exclusively, through the Debutante Cotillion, a formal event that introduces young women to society. The Debutante Cotillion began in 1951, the first recorded in the City of Denver. It was the first event in the city solely dedicated to providing high-achieving young African American women with the opportunity to showcase their talent.
This significant tradition, the Debutante Cotillion, provides young high academic-achieving women who have displayed excellence through pride, character, leadership and community service, an opportunity to showcase their talent. Former debutantes report that the event provided them with the tools for success at a pivotal time in their lives.
The Owl Club has presented over 1,600 debutantes in 73 years from the Denver metropolitan area. In 1979, member William Kirk and Owlette Ruby Kirk-Gray founded the Owl Club Scholarship Fund and was chartered in 1994 by members Mr. Penfield Tate III and Mr. Skip Riley, to provide academic scholarships to the debutantes and help young women overcome financial barriers. The scholarship fund has awarded over $120,000 in scholarship funds to these debutantes to help alleviate post-secondary educational expenses.
Please join us as we celebrate the Owl Club's 74th and 75th Debutante Presentations in 2025 and 2026
Please RSVP March 2025 Candidate Orientation / Debutante Alums Networking Lunch by clicking black button below.
The Owl Club of Denver, Colorado was founded in 1941. Annually, the Club recognizes outstanding African-American young ladies with the Debutante Cotillion.
Please click the following link to view the 2020 virtual 69th Annual Debutante Cotilion celebration. https://discovered.tv/watch/ZajmBGt3
Joanne Davidson Special to Colorado Politics
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