OK, here it is: I DANCED WITH MINNIE PEARL.

[trof]

I was 14 or 15.
Had hit my growth spurt.
Six feet or so.
I had hair back then.
Awright, I was not a bad lookin' dude if I DO say so.
:blush:

My single-mom mom was president of the local BPW (Business and Professional Women) club.
Circa 1956.
Women in 'bidness' in Birmingham, Alabama were a rarity.

They had a fundraiser for the charity they supported (it was called 'Aid for Dependent Children', ADC)
Basically for kids on 'welfare'.

Minnie was their speaker for the evening.
No fee.
And I don't remember much of what she said except she wasn't 'in character'.
She spoke to the plight of poor kids.

After the program, all were invited to drinks and dinner at a 'very exclusive' ($$$) private club.
It was SO exclusive it was just called "The Club".
On the top of Red Mountain with a sweeping view of Birmingham in the valley below.
It was, in two words, "Hot Shit".

And it was there, while a 'big band' orchestra was playing I can't remember what, mom said "Go ask her to dance".
Wha? Me?
"Yes. PLEASE. No one has asked her to. DO IT."

And so I did.
I wish I could remember what we talked about.
I don't.
I just remember that she was a very gracious lady, who, in 'real life' didn't sound a thing like her stage character.

That's it.
Sorry if I've disappointed.
I have no idea what her politics were.
She was just a very nice lady.
:-)
Oh, and she was a good dancer.

[unsavedtrash]

1. "Howdeeee!"

:hi:

[WI_DEM]

2. That's a sweet story.

[Xipe Totec]

3. Yess! Thank you!

Excellent post!

She was a character, when she was in character.

I always wondered what she was like in real life.

[ghostsofgiants]

4. I can't hear the name Minnie Pearl without thinking of the Dead Milkmen...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hQQ_wA0HxE

[liontamer]

5. Sarah Cannon (MP) was a great woman

and started a cancer center in Nashville

[Gormy Cuss]

6. A nice story, trof.

It's good to hear that she cared about others enough to speak to local groups like that.

Awfully brave for a 15 year old to ask a star to dance, even with his mother prodding him.

[Redstone]

7. Well, that's nice. I also don't know what her politics were, but she was a good

entertainer and from all acounts a nice lady in general. I'm glad you have that memory to savor.

Redstone

[Skittles]

8. AWESOME!

:puke:

[Roon]

9. What is that tag that dangles from minnie pearl?

Oh yeah!! A toe tag!!!