A Tea to Remember

Historian
Mar 5, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Aug 6, 2024

Simmons College of Kentucky presents

The Inaugural Professor Mary Virginia Cook Parrish

Lecture Series

Guest Lecturer: Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder, Ph.D.

Nationally Recognized Author and Vice President of Academic Affairs Chicago Theological Seminary

On Thursday, March 21st, Simmons College of Kentucky in collaboration with the Charles H. Parrishes & Virginia Cook Parrish Foundation presented the inaugural Professor Mary Virginia Cook Parrish Lecture Series. The stellar keynote speaker was Dr. Stephanie Buckhanon who called all women to action with her riveting recap of powerful Black women in American history. Buckhanon calls for today's women to use their voices as instruments to elevate each other and speak out against policies and practices that suppress the modern women of today.

"A flute is not acceptable when a trumpet is required."

~Dr. Stephanie Buckhanon Crowder

The elegant event was attended by upper echelons, sorority sisters, and fraternity brothers. The table details featured pearl-draped framed images of Professor Mary Virginia Cook Parrish, delicate tea sets, and white glove tea service was provided to guests. While guests enjoyed tea and finger sandwiches, they were able to read about the life and legacy of Professor Mary Virginia Cook Parrish in the booklets provided. President Kevin W. Cosby, seated at the front table alongside his wife Barnetta Cosby, were frontline supporters of the life and legacy of Professor Mary Virginia Cook Parrish. Senior leadership and staff at Simmons College of Kentucky attended the event as well in support of the legacy.

A surprise of the event was the announcement of the Professor Mary Virginia Cook Parrish scholarship available for women at Simmons College of Kentucky and the future naming of a building after the late great Professor. The scholarship was announced by the Vice President of Advancement and Community Engagement Von Purdy and welcomed by thunderous applause from the guests.

The legacy of Professor Mary Virginia Cook Parrish continues and will be remembered by future events, scholarships, and literacy advocacy. For more information about the Charles H. Parrishes & Virginia Cook Parrish Foundation submit a contact card below.

WATCH THE INAUGURAL PROFESSOR MARY VIRGINIA COOK PARRISH LECTURE SERIES