By Lori J. Durante
BOCA RATON, FL – – On April 26, 2026, it was all that jazz at the Great Gatsby 1920s themed 57th annual Debutante Cotillion of the Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club. Held at the Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton, Florida, 12th grade debutantes were presented to society at the black-tie ball where FPL was a Gold sponsor. The students were uplifted by words of encouragement from the evening’s guest speaker State Attorney Alexcia Cox.
The debutante mentorship program created a robust experience for the 12th grade students’ minds, hearts and hands with community service projects, art activities, career advice and exploration on the Taste History Art & Culture Study Tour via Brightline Trains to Miami’s Overtown and Design Districts.
The Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club Charitable Foundation is a non-profit 501c3 100% volunteer community service organization based in Delray Beach, Florida that is named in honor of Frances J. Bright, a Black educator. Mrs. Bright came to Palm Beach County, Florida in year 1899 and was hired in 1900 to teach at ‘colored’ school #4 that was established in year 1895. Mrs. Bright was the first Black woman teacher in Delray Beach. In addition to the debutante mentorship program, the woman’s club raises monies to award scholarships to high school seniors. The Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club is one of the oldest historically Black civic organizations in continuous operation in Palm Beach County, Florida. Palm Beach County Commissioner Bobby Powell presented the organization with a proclamation in February 2026.