On March 7th and 8th 2005, Louisiana DBE members were honored to play host to two very classy ladies: Mary Penty, DBE National President, and Shirley Bailey, DBE Southern District Organizer, who drove in from Houston.

Time was too short to take full advantage of the DBE knowledge and experience that these two ladies have to share, but we did our best.  After settling in as guests of past State President Esther Coy, Mary and Shirley met with past National President, Wendy Roberts, MBE.

Click on photo for larger view

 A pot luck supper in the        

 evening enabled many

 members to meet and

 enjoy the DBE VIPs.

Smiling members in 

this shot are Shirley,

Beryl, Maggie and 

Esther.  

This spectacular DBE cake was for dessert - featuring the DBE insignia.  Oops ... we forgot to ask National for permission to use the insignia.  Oh well, the only evidence left is a few crumbs.  On the right, Mary makes the first cut.

Louisiana State President Madeleine presents Mary with a check for $500 as Louisiana's pledge to the New York Memorial Garden.

On Tuesday, Madeleine showed the two visitors the sights of New Orleans.  Then a quiet evening of conversation at dinner with State President Madeleine, host Esther and webmaster Betty.  We had some very good discussion.  Wednesday morning the two intrepid travelers were on their way to Florida.