Hats and Gloves Tea: honoring women of the past, looking to the future

The 2026 Hats and Gloves Tea was held March 21. (Panther photo by Myah Burt)

The 2026 mistress of ceremonies emphasized to the audience, “Women are the blueprint for sustainable transformation.” 

Billie Jean Shaw, Emmy-nominated and award-winning journalist and news anchor, was host for Claflin’s 18th annual First Lady’s Hats and Gloves Tea. The event is held during Women's History Month and is aligned with the national theme. 

The theme this year is, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.” It encompasses financial sustainability, community resilience, leadership succession and intergenerational equity. 

“We are honoring women for their relentless commitment and contributions to society. Whether developing green technologies, advancing economic justice, strengthening education systems or building civil power, women are the blueprints for sustainable transformation,” Shaw said.  

The event celebrated fellowship, sisterhood and scholarship. The 2026 Miss Claflin University, Madison Maurice, spoke further on the theme.  

“The first lady’s visionary award was established to recognize the power of women who have made and are making a significant impact through service projects, philanthropy, creating awareness and consciousness of women's issues, promoted education, advancing economic development, and for showing courage and leadership for social justice and human rights.” 

This year’s First Lady’s Hats and Gloves Tea scholarships were valued at $2,500. Recipients met the requirements of being full-time students, earning more than 12 credit hours and holding a grade-point average of at least 2.8. 

It was announced at the event that the scholarship amount would be increased.  

“We received an anonymous contribution. They said, ‘Wow, you’re giving them $ 2,500 each; let's just make it $3,000,’” detailed an event speaker. 

He continued, “If we don’t invest in our students, and we don’t take ownership of our institution, our communities, all that Claflin University is doing under the leadership of Dr. Dwaun Warmack, who will?” 

The scholarship recipients are Natalia Cullins, a sophomore performance and recreation major, and Jalyn Lawrence, a junior biology major.  

Cullins said, “It's amazing to see beautiful women that look like me getting awarded for something, just like me being here. I'm so proud and thank you so much for everything.” 

Lawrence said, “I want to say thank you to everyone for your support and for helping us get to this point.”  

Additionally, Cullins and Lawrence received a laptop with their award package.  

Each year, the First Lady’s Hats and Gloves Tea honors women who have paved the way and continue to shape a world of justice, possibility and compassion.  

The six honorees at this year’s event are Mary Elam, Barbara Johnson-Williams, Benita Lefft, Dr. Tonya Matthews, Nicole Nelson-Jean and Dr. Jennifer Clyburn Reed.  

Johnson-Williams explained how she kept going when faced with challenges.  

“There were days I felt tired, moments I felt discouraged. And times I wondered if the work was really making a difference at all. But one thing that kept me going every single time was my faith in God.” 

Matthews said, “Sometimes I feel so pushed back against telling the story of African American history, and though that should make me angry, it simply astounds me how anyone would not want to know and understand these phenomenal stories.” 

“If you want sustainable futures, if you want sustainable communities, if we want a sustainable country, then we must understand the stories that built us,” Matthews said. 

Elam spoke about her sisterhood with Lefft.  

“It is a privilege to stand among such dynamic and inspiring women, especially Benita Lefft, whom I have admired and has been mentor for me for 40 years. Benita, your service is the true definition of commitment to mankind. I love you.” 

Lefft spoke about the pride she has in making changes in her hometown of Orangeburg.

“So much of who I am today and why I exist and what I have been able to achieve for us comes from Orangeburg, South Carolina. So, I’m proud to be from Orangeburg when people turn up their noses,” she said.

“Because we make a difference. We raise people and we build communities. Remember where you come from and how your community was built.” 

Dr. Dwaun Warmack, Claflin president, was in attendance. He spoke about Nelson-Jean.

He explained how in a position with the federal government, she allowed all eight of the HBCUs in South Carolina to receive a historic $20 million. This money changed the universities for the better.  

Nelson-Jean encouraged Cullins and Lawrence.

“Many people are going to come to you as you walk through this life professionally and personally, that will tell you ‘that's impossible. You can't do this.’ You look them in the eye, and you say, ‘I don't know about your walk, but God don't play about me.’” 

Reed left the audience with a thoughtful message, “Don't dim your light so that others can shine. Every one of us has a role to play on this earth and there is plenty of darkness in this country to illuminate.”