United Way previews 12th annual First Ladies’ Luncheon

JACKSON, Tenn. — One annual event returns with the goal of empowering women here in West Tennessee.

For the 12th year, this event presented by United Way of West Tennessee recognizes women and their generous contributions to the organization. Wednesday night was the preview for the First Ladies’ Luncheon.

“We just started that [previewing] two years ago because, there’s just so many people that cannot attend during lunch. So this gives them an opportunity to be at the tables,” said Anita Kay Archer, chair and founder of United Way.

With this year marking 12 years, there will be 1,200 ladies sitting down and celebrating women. For Wednesday night’s preview, guests can enjoy viewing some of the finalized tables and the company of other women.

“I love tablescape and the tablescapes are just beyond this year. I love seeing all the women come in that are from all over West Tennessee,” said Archer.

For the first ever luncheon, there were 334 women. The number of tables have since increased.

“Each table, 135 tables, is just wonderful, with no theme. The individuals decorated however they wanted to decorate,” said Archer.

Thursday’s luncheon will include a keynote speaker.

“This year we have the first lady of Tennessee Healthcare who is our keynote speaker and that’s so exciting — it’s Tina Prescott,” said Archer.

One table decorator, who has been a first lady for five years, shares the theme of her table.

“Farm to table; We have celebrated the bounty of fresh vegetables and fruit at this time of the year. That’s what we wanted to portray. I think, we did it,” said Carie Ann Knox, designer and table decorator.

For the women who attend the preview they have the opportunity to play a scavenger hunt for a door prize. The scavenger hunt describes each table. Jamie Moeller who is attending for the first time shares how the preview is inspiring

“Next year I think we’re going to go bigger with our center piece. It’s pretty amazing what people have come up with here and so we’ll probably do another koi fish. We think we might do another second table for our landscaping side,” said Moeller.

Event coordinators say their goal is to have 1,300 ladies in attendance to celebrate 13 years.

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