Los Angeles Cotillion 1952 to Present

The first Los Angeles Cotillion was held at Ciro’s Nightclub in November, 1952. At that time, hotel ballrooms in Los Angeles were not available for minority social events. Funds raised at the first Cotillion were used to support the L.A. Chapter’s commitment to purchase a NAACP life membership.

The second Los Angeles Cotillion was held at the Cosmopolitan Hotel in the city’s Wilshire district.

In 1954, the Cotillion was hosted as a dinner dance at the Statler Hotel, now the downtown L.A. Hilton. Eligibility requirements were established preceding the third Cotillion. Each debutante, was referred to as a Cotillionette, and required to be sponsored by a member of the Los Angeles (CA) Chapter of the Links. Cotillionettes were required to be 17 years old or a senior in high school.

The third Cotillion ushered in the attire requirement: white formal dresses of uniform length, long white gloves and medium-heeled white pumps were to be worn by all Cotillionettes. Escorts were added to dance with the Cotillionettes after the precisely choreographed Cotillionette Waltz was completed.

With the third Cotillion, the Souvenir Program was introduced as a permanent keepsake to document the evening. It contained photographs of the Cotillionettes, the previous Cotillion, a resume of the L.A. Chapter’s annual activities, and supporting advertisements and messages from family, friends, and community groups and businesses.

The Souvenir book now supports the Los Angeles (CA) Chapter’s annual fundraising efforts to support local charities. (link to Charities)

In 1963, the Volunteer Service Program was instituted, requiring each Cotillionette to complete 15 hours of volunteer community service. This addition proved so successful and inspiring to the Cotillionettes, many of whom had no volunteer service experience, the requirements were later increased to 50, 75 and 80 hours of mandatory service through the years.

As public and private schools began to require that high school students complete volunteer service as an element of high school curriculum, the volunteer focus has been on group projects incorporating the Los Angeles Chapter’s programming and service initiatives.

In addition to their volunteer experiences, Cotillionettes also participated in workshops and seminars to enrich pragmatic and social skills for transition to higher education and adult life experiences.  These became the seeds of what is now the Leadership Institute.

The Los Angeles Links Cotillion is established as the premier annual traditional cotillion in the African-American community of urban and suburban Los Angeles. As the Los Angeles Cotillion continued with ever-increasing community support, the ball moved to the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the Century Plaza Hotel, and the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, and occurs traditionally on the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving.