Out & About: Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP women's group hosts fashion show

Oct. 2—The guests were as runway-ready as the models at the Glitz, Glamour & Gold Fall Fashion Show and Luncheon, hosted by the Greensburg-Jeannette NAACP Women in NAACP.

About 60 guests attended the swanky affair, held Saturday at the Doubletree by Hilton in Monroeville.

In addition to enjoying the meal and runway show, those attending had the opportunity to shop for clothing, accessories and health and beauty products from more than a dozen vendors and to bid on an array of gift baskets.

WIN Chairperson Norma Skillings welcomed guests, and Sister Barbara Ann Smelko of the Sisters of Charity of Seton Hill offered the invocation.

Models Tina Aiken, Renee Gilliard, Jacqueline McLee, Brenda Mise, Summer Rickets, Thomasina Skillings, Jamie Henderson and Tay Waltenbaugh revealed a taste of what's new for fall, with looks provided by Maurice Gingham, owner of Mo' Reese Clothing, and Kevin Miscik, owner of Lapel's, A Fine Men's Clothier.

Commentary was courtesy of Lady Neila Johnson of New Creation Family Worship Center in Greensburg.

Jerry Skillings lent a hand as they ascended and descended the runway steps. Danny Cooper, known behind the turntables as DJ Coop, provided the soundtrack.

Women in NAACP, or WIN, is a committee of the national organization that serves as an advocacy vehicle for the civil rights of women and children. Across the country, WIN committees conduct leadership workshops, respond to disasters, provide mentoring and support educational opportunities.

Greensburg-Jeannette WIN members recently conducted a session for participants in its Girls Project, said WIN Secretary Ruth Tolbert. Participants in the program, ages 8 to 17, were encouraged to create dream boards for their future careers and received advice on proper dress, communication and interviewing skills.

"We tell them it's OK to speak up," Tolbert said.

Tolbert said WIN has made a commitment for a year of support to the Welcome Home Shelter in Greensburg and makes annual donations of Christmas toys to Westmoreland Community Action, diapers to the ParentWISE program and monetary gifts to the Blackburn Center.

Greensburg-Jeannette WIN members include the Rev. Sylvia Carlson, Suzanne English, Denise Holmes, Dorothy Hufford, William Hufford, Adrienne Russell, Dr. Robin Sims, Jean Slusser, Sharon Sparks, the Rev. Yvonne Taylor, Bernice Veney, Linda West and Ruth Woods.

Shirley McMarlin is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley by email at smcmarlin@triblive.com or via Twitter .