Pretty girls all in a row, from left: Cindy Breakspeare, her daughter Leah Tavares-Finson, and Lisa Hanna, get into a sisterly hug while celebrating womanhood at Sip N' Tea and Sisterhood. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

On Thursday, March 8, the world celebrated International Women's Day 2007, Jamaica being no exception. And like any good celebration, a party is vital to commemorate the occasion. And, throwing fabulous parties just happens to be one of the many talents of the Jamaican woman.

Tea parties were the order of the day, and the Convent of Mercy Academy (Alpha) Alumnae hosted 'High Tea' on the East Lawns of Devon House, while Jamaica Trade and Invest (JTI, formerly JAMPRO) in conjunction with Women Travel First Class Inc., hosted 'Sip 'N Tea and Sisterhood' at the JTI head office.

Alpha Alumnae High Tea

Catered by Norma Shirley, the High Tea was well-supported by many noted Alpha alumnae, who enjoyed the delicious fare amid the company of long-time friends.

The evening's programme included a Dutch auction of several donated pieces of art from which the proceeds would be donated to the Convent of Mercy Academy. The auction was interjected with a fashion show, coordinated by Kerry-Ann Clarke, of Kerrymanwomanhome, and with the help of a few models, she showed some of the fantastic designer pieces available at her store, those from the Siim Collection in particular.

Following the fashion show, the Dutch auction resumed, and a lovely ruffled blouse from the Siim Collection was added to the pot. This preceded the hat parade, where Natalie Thompson, Maxine Hart, and Janice Speid won first, second and third place respectively, for their interesting-looking hats.

Among the guests were: Deepak Vaswani, the sole male and executor of the evening's Dutch auction; Gloria Palomino; Maxine Brown; current Alpha students Vanessa Sanford and Kadyan Salmon; Beverly Lopez and Audrey Marks.

Sip 'N Tea and Sisterhood

While the Alpha-ites had their tea party, another set of Jamaican women celebrated womanhood at 'Sip 'N Tea and Sisterhood' held at the JTI head office on Trafalgar Road.

Guest speaker Lorna Owens, a Jamaican and motivational speaker living in the United States, guided the ladies through the process of 'awakening their spirit'.

An outfit from the Siim Collection available at Kerrymanwomanhome, which was shown in the fashion show segment at the Alpha Alumnae Association High Tea, Fashion Show and Hat Parade, held on the East Lawns, Devon House, Hope Road, on Thursday, March 8.

Donna Parchment (left), with Dahlia Walker-Huntington and Sancia Templer, have a chat at Sip N' Tea and Sisterhood, a celebration of International Women's Day. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Deepak Vaswani (left) auctions off the outfit from Siim Collections that is worn by model Lacian Roache (centre). Gloria Palomino makes the rounds in collecting the bids in the Dutch auction. They were at the Alpha Alumnae Association High Tea, Fashion Show and Hat Parade held at Devon House on Thursday, March 8.