For the second consecutive year, Ambassador Paul Altidor hosted more than 200 Haitian women at the Embassy of Haiti for the 9th Annual D.C. Haitian Ladies Brunch on December 14. The Embassy was filled with food, fellowship and warmth as generations of Haitian and Haitian-American women celebrated the rich culture of Haiti. This year’s theme, “Come Back Home to Haiti,” reminded us of Haiti’s hidden treasures, such as the picturesque Furcy mountains, the largest fortress in the Western Hemisphere: Citadelle Laferrière, the mystical Lakou Souvenance, the beautiful cascade of Saut D’eau, and the pristine sandy beaches of Île-à-Vache.
This annual tradition began in 2005, when Nadine Duplessy Kearns sought to connect with other Haitian women in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area. Like Kearns and her co-organizer Cleve Mesidor, many Haitian women move to the area not knowing where to connect with others who share the same culture and background. For the last nine years, the brunch has served as an outlet to meet, network professionally and reflect on shared common experiences as Haitian women.
As the brunch grows in attendance and popularity, the Embassy is proud be a home away from home for Haitian and Haitian-American women in the Nation’s Capital. This year in an effort to continue stimulating economic growth in Haiti and support Haitian entrepreneurs, the Embassy raffled handbags created by Haitian born designer Phelicia Dell of Veve Collections. As members of the Haitian Diaspora, Haitian and Haitian-American women are Haiti’s best advocates and ambassadors of its culture, grace and beauty.
Veve Collections
Phelicia Dell
Angle Rue Clerveau & Pinchinat #81 PV
(509) 3490-3223
vevecollections@gmail.com
www.vevecollection.com