Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence
Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence explores the rich traditions of a prominent all-Black debutante cotillion club in the Mile High City. Built from oral histories, and featuring a remarkable collection of photographs, Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence recounts the rarely told history of debutante culture from the perspective of African Americans who were historically excluded from the beauty standards of this European-born tradition.
Founded in 1941 by eight hardworking railroad pullman, waiters, and businessmen, The Owl Club of Denver was created to recognize the academic excellence of young African American women from Denver. This social club provided a safe space where community members could feel a sense of belonging, celebrate one another’s achievements, and defy stereotypes placed on Black people and their culture.