Ladies of Leisure Société Gathering

Seated from left to right:  Deidre Baptiste, Agatha Wells, Dr. Donna Miller, Andrea Knott and Rosemary Hanna.  Standing from left to right are: Minister Linda Thompson, Janet Jennings, Sabrina Skinner, Daphne Woods, Inga Adderley, Melony Hanna and Rosalie Fawkes

On March 26th, 2026, members of The YWCA gathered for a delightful morning at the home of Mrs. Melony Hanna.  This event carried forward a tradition that began in 2023 when a small group first met at IMAX to bid farewell to a member leaving the island.

As they sat together on the upstairs balcony, sipping drinks and enjoying light refreshments, they reflected on the joy of pausing from the busyness of life to share fellowship and experience the island breeze. From that moment, the Ladies of Leisure Société was born, with a commitment to planning more of these enriching gatherings.

A few weeks ago, Mrs. Hanna graciously opened her home for another meeting. A passionate collector for decades, she treated members to a fascinating display of antiques, historical artifacts, and curated treasures collected over the years. Her collection is not only a source of beauty but also of education, as each piece carries a story and offers insight into history and culture. Through her collecting, Mrs. Hanna has cultivated knowledge, built friendships, and connected with people who share her interests.

Ladies of Leisure Modeling Mrs. Hanna's Apron Collection

Highlights of the Collection

Guests were treated to an impressive array of items, including:

• Elegant purses

• Handcrafted quilts

• Vintage aprons

• Fine chinaware

• Funeral programs

• Postcards

The morning was filled with admiration, learning, and camaraderie. It reminded everyone of the value of leisure, fellowship, and the preservation of history through personal collections.

Heartfelt Thanks

We extend our deepest gratitude to Mrs. Hanna for the splendid effort she made in hosting and making the day so special for the YWCA members. Our appreciation is also warmly extended to Andrea Knott and Deidre Baptiste whose assistance in organizing the event contributed greatly to its success.

The YWCA Intern for 2022/2023, Louquesha Roker, recently wrote and produced a slideshow featuring YWCA member, Melony Hanna, a collector extraordinaire. In this slideshow, Mrs. Hanna talks about her lifelong passion for collecting funeral programs and other items.