MOSAEC BackTalk Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats

Crowns: Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats

Are you a connoisseur of church hats? Do you know someone who is? Please share your church hat stories or your comments about this book. We'd like to know what you think. Please leave your comments in this public guest book so we can share your thoughts with other visitors.

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Username:

The Hat Lady's Daughter

Date:

12/28/00

Time:

9:32:08 AM

Remote User:

Comments

You know you aren't dressed for church until you've adorned your crown with a hat! That's my momma's motto who wears her hats wide, bright and cocked to the side so as to cover at least one eye. As any church going southern girl knows, Sunday morning worship service is a contest of the hats. As a child, I loved looking around the congregation to see who had the best looking hat. Best of all was the parade of hats. That's when the church ladies strutted their stuff to the offering table with heads held high so as to highlight the hat. What great memories! Thanks, Carla, for reminding me of the hats worn "ace-deuce."

Username:

Charles McClendon

Date:

12/4/01

Time:

9:18:11 AM

Remote User:

Comments

Dear Friend,
I have been a hat person for life. Our black business owns a small hat shop in Florida. Kindly send information as to where we can buy church hats at wholesale for our business. We are searching for a new location and trying to get upgrade our business to an exclusive church hat shop.
Sincerely,
Charles McClendon, owner McClendon Trading Company, Inc.

Username:

Antonia Williams

Date:

6/4/02

Time:

6:12:25 PM

Remote User:

Comments

The book was right-on-time. Excerpts and photos were featured in our local newspaper the same month I opened a hat shop in Sacramento, California. Our shop name is "Sassy Chapeaus" and it is an honor for all the women to come into the shop and rave over our styles and colors! My husband says we are just like hens in a henhouse! The ladies will stay for sometimes hours at the shop meeting their friends or fellow congregants then start to talk about what other churches are doing in the community, fundraisers, who recently passed away, etc.! I have sold church-hats for about 7 years now.

Username:

Tara McCalla

Date:

7/25/02

Time:

4:54:40 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am about to do a fashion show called "Our Crowning Glory". I need help on finding sites that give the history about our black women and the hats they wear(1920 -present). Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!
Tara

Username:

tessagolding

Date:

9/30/02

Time:

1:43:11 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I am looking for a history of hats on black women during the civil rights period do you have any suggestions where I can look! Also I love your book It is Awsome and I have one.

Username:

Penny

Date:

11/12/02

Time:

5:26:48 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am also looking for information about the history of hats worm by African American women in church. The reasons they were worn and who wore them forst, ect...

Username:

Penny

Date:

11/12/02

Time:

5:28:22 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am also looking for information about the history of hats worn by African American women in church. The reasons they were worn and who wore them first, ect...

Username:

katherine

Date:

11/14/02

Time:

9:20:42 AM

Remote User:

Comments

My dear friend is opening a church hat and clothing store...do you know where she can buy hats wholesale for her shop? please advise. thanks.
katherine.pickett@scotlandhealth.org

Username:

sara

Date:

2/3/03

Time:

1:27:54 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am doing a research project on cultural activities dealing with African-American women and the significance of wearing hats to church. If there is any informantion that you could supply me with, or good books to look into i would really appreciate it. thank you. sczosnyka@uiuc.edu

Username:

newtunes

Date:

2/17/03

Time:

11:06:28 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I am planning a Sunday afternoon hat show, any tips, directions or advice is appreciated.

Username:

Joanie Lee

Date:

3/1/03

Time:

1:08:52 PM

Remote User:

Comments

For the past 5 years I have been desiging and making elegant hats for ladies and last year for Christmas my friend gave me the most wonderful give I have received in ages! It was a copy of 'Crowns'. I so enjoyed the stories of each hat - how they came about having a particular hat - where they wore the hat - the cost - how they like them decorated - and on and on, each story more compelling than the last. The pictures were absolutely exquisite. I am an amature photographer and am in awe of the photography. The women each have such style, grace and elegance - my only wish is that they knew about my website www.ahatshop.com so they could see what I have accomplished. Two years ago at 61 I quit work to go to college for the first time to learn how to create a website - in order to have a broader market for my hat sales. I have done this and am working on getting my second site up as the first got too congested. The book 'Crowns' is such an inspiration. To anyone who hasn't had the pleasure - BUY a copy - you won't regret a penny and the worth cannot be measured.

Username:

Joanie Lee

Date:

3/1/03

Time:

1:10:49 PM

Remote User:

Comments

For the past 5 years I have been desiging and making elegant hats for ladies and last year for Christmas my friend gave me the most wonderful give I have received in ages! It was a copy of 'Crowns'. I so enjoyed the stories of each hat - how they came about having a particular hat - where they wore the hat - the cost - how they like them decorated - and on and on, each story more compelling than the last. The pictures were absolutely exquisite. I am an amature photographer and am in awe of the photography. The women each have such style, grace and elegance - my only wish is that they knew about my website www.ahatshop.com so they could see what I have accomplished. Two years ago at 61 I quit work to go to college for the first time to learn how to create a website - in order to have a broader market for my hat sales. I have done this and am working on getting my second site up as the first got too congested. The book 'Crowns' is such an inspiration. To anyone who hasn't had the pleasure - BUY a copy - you won't regret a penny and the worth cannot be measured.

Username:

Glenda Overstreet

Date:

6/6/03

Time:

9:44:59 AM

Remote User:

Comments

Our Topeka Chapter NAACP is planning a Crowns Fashion Show on June 7. We anticipate a WONDERFUL time as the rehearsals have been so much fun.

Username:

vandell marshall

Date:

6/23/03

Time:

6:47:30 PM

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Comments

Username:

Samuel Phillips

Date:

8/8/03

Time:

9:45:56 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I'M TRYING TO FINE THE HISTORY ON THE HAT FOR BLACK WOMEN ALSO .

Username:

shauwn06 2aol.com

Date:

9/2/03

Time:

2:38:48 AM

Remote User:

Comments

These high fashion hats are getting harder and harder to find. If you know of ethnic hats shops let us have their email address.

Username:

Barbara Hamilton

Date:

9/13/03

Time:

11:30:02 AM

Remote User:

Comments

Username:

Barbara Hamilton

Date:

9/13/03

Time:

12:02:31 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I was born and raised in a little nook called Low Bottom,near Beaufort, South Carolina. My grandmother, grandaunts, cousins and all the older women always wore hats to church on Sundays. On Sundays, these women were not recognizable. On Sunday mornings they were transformed into Beautiful African Queens with the most beautiful crowns you could ever imagine.
Today there are not many women in the church that wear hats anymore. You can count the older women in church that still wear hats. I think that I am the only woman under the age of 45 that do. I love wearing hats to church. It makes me feel so elegant. On the 1st Sunday in Septemeber of this year, one of the older women in my church was in the chior stand. When she came down from the chior stand after church and sat behind me, she said to me, I was wondering who you were all dressed in black.
I am opening a hat and assessory botique soon, because I want to see more African American women regain their crowns.

Username:

Barbara Hamilton

Date:

9/13/03

Time:

12:42:06 PM

Remote User:

Comments

When I was growing up in church, my grandmother, grandaunts and the older women in the church would transform themselves in to beautiful African Queens wearing the most elegant hats you could ever imaged. You don't see many women in the church wear hats anymore. But I love to wear hats to church. One sunday an older woman in my church was in the chior stand and she could'nt wait until church was over to see who I was. I am 44 years old and I don't think there is any woman younger in my church that wear hats.
I am planning on opening a hat and assessory shop, hoping that I can bring back that one tradition in the church, to see more African American Women wear hats again. If you can e-mail me wholesalers addresses where I can order hats assessories, please do to AHUCEME@AOL.COM

Username:

Wiladean Thomas

Date:

11/17/03

Time:

9:54:30 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am looking for information on the history of hats in black churches

Username:

Wiladean Thomas

Date:

11/19/03

Time:

4:19:18 PM

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Comments

Username:

Date:

11/25/03

Time:

12:36:45 PM

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Comments

Username:

BLESSED

Date:

11/29/03

Time:

7:05:24 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I HAVE READ AHUCEME STORY AND I THINK THAT SHE IS SO RIGHT. I AM A PASTORS WIFE IN THE EARLY 40'S AND I LOVE TO SEE WOMEN WITH THERE CROWNS ADORNING A BEUATIFUL HAT OF THERE CHOICE WORN THE BEST WAY THAT THEY KNOW HOW. I THINK THAT IF WE CAN KEEP THIS TRADITION GOING AND KNOW THE TRUE MEANING OF IT THEN IT WILL BE A BLESSING FOR OUR CHILDREN. IF YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND HATS AND SUITS PLEASE EMAIL ME. AGAIN MAY GOD BLESS EVERYONE THAT READ THIS LETTER. PASTORS WIFE

Username:

BLESSED

Date:

11/29/03

Time:

7:07:46 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I HAVE READ AHUCEME STORY AND I THINK THAT SHE IS SO RIGHT. I AM A PASTORS WIFE IN THE EARLY 40'S AND I LOVE TO SEE WOMEN WITH THERE CROWNS ADORNING A BEUATIFUL HAT OF THERE CHOICE WORN THE BEST WAY THAT THEY KNOW HOW. I THINK THAT IF WE CAN KEEP THIS TRADITION GOING AND KNOW THE TRUE MEANING OF IT THEN IT WILL BE A BLESSING FOR OUR CHILDREN. IF YOU KNOW WHERE I CAN FIND HATS AND SUITS PLEASE EMAIL ME. AGAIN MAY GOD BLESS EVERYONE THAT READ THIS LETTER. PASTORS WIFE

Username:

Barbara Hamilton

Date:

12/10/03

Time:

5:16:34 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am a 45 years old women from South Carolina. I started wearing hats about 10 years ago. I was going to a wedding and saw this beautiful hat on sale. At the wedding everyone told me how nice I looked and ever since then I was hooked. Ladies in my church started calling me the mayor's wife or the preacher's wife. I can'y tell you the last time I went to church without wearing a hat. I am the youngest women in my church that wear hats. The older women seems to give me so much attention and respect, because to them I am bringing back to the church what their mothers and grandmothers started years ago. I can remember when there was'nt a women in church without a hat on when I was growing up. I want to see this come back, so I started selling hats. If anyone can e-mail me about were I can buy hats at wholesale for my shop, please let me know.
ahuceme@aol.com

Username:

Auntjuan

Date:

1/12/04

Time:

12:54:17 AM

Remote User:

Comments

Do you know of website where I can purchase church hats for the "first lady" of the church I attend?

Username:

Richarde Campbell

Date:

1/12/04

Time:

3:33:40 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I have been a hat person since I started dating my wife. My wife and I now own a small hat shop in South Carolina. Would submit any information to us as to where we can buy church hats at wholesale for our business. We are searching for a new location and trying to get upgrade our business to an exclusive church hat shop.
Sincerely, Richarde Campbell, Co-Owner Soteria Accents & Collectibles.
rcampbell@scana.com 1605 Jayne Lane, Columbia, SC 29210

Username:

Richarde Campbell

Date:

1/12/04

Time:

3:36:51 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I have been a hat person since I started dating my wife. My wife and I now own a small hat shop in South Carolina. Would submit any information to us as to where we can buy church hats at wholesale for our business. We are searching for a new location and trying to get upgrade our business to an exclusive church hat shop.
Sincerely, Richarde Campbell, Co-Owner Soteria Accents & Collectibles.
rcampbell@scana.com 1605 Jayne Lane, Columbia, SC 29210

Username:

jholland@mwd.dst.ca.us

Date:

2/3/04

Time:

7:21:14 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am trying to get information about the history about black women and hats from 1920's until the present/

Username:

dylong

Date:

2/22/04

Time:

8:29:21 PM

Remote User:

Comments

where are the portraits

Username:

Ruby

Date:

2/24/04

Time:

3:53:24 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I like beautiful church hats.

Username:

BOB

Date:

2/27/04

Time:

11:54:27 AM

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Comments

Username:

flora

Date:

3/2/04

Time:

3:15:41 PM

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Comments

Username:

GWENDOLYN H NORTHAN

Date:

3/4/04

Time:

10:04:42 PM

Remote User:

Comments

PLEASE SEND A CATOLOG 4226 52ND PLACE WEST BRADENTTON 34210

Username:

Jerri James

Date:

3/7/04

Time:

1:01:58 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I want to learn more about the history of why African American women wear hats in the church.

Username:

PSmith

Date:

3/9/04

Time:

10:23:04 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I'm looking for history of women in church hats and the biblical aspect.

Username:

GWENDOLYN H NORTHAN

Date:

3/13/04

Time:

11:02:52 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I LOVE CHUSRHC HATS,IVE WORN THEN FOR YEARS..IM 45 YRS OLD AND FEEL A CHURCH MAKES A STATEMENT WITH A TAILOR SUIT AND GLOVES MATCHING PURSE AND SHOES AND GLOVES....PLEASE LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN BUY STYLIST ONE OF THE KIND CHURCH HATS...I NEED SOME OUTLET,STORES,MALLS OR A PERSON TO PURCHASE THEM ..I ENJOY YOUR WEBSITE..I KNOW LOTS OF WOMEN OF ALL AGES SEARCHINGAS WELL...THANKS AGAIN PLEASE KEEP IN TOUCH MRS GWEN NORTHAN 4226 52ND PLACE WEST APT#102 BRADENTON,FL 32410

Username:

JACKIE

Date:

3/14/04

Time:

9:38:27 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I would like to start my own business designing hats.Could u tell me where to get started on the internet on where to purchases the hats to create my own design.

Username:

ginger

Date:

4/16/04

Time:

11:28:39 AM

Remote User:

Comments

i would like to know where to purchase fashion hat wholesale. my email address is ginger.bigham@baycare.org
anyone have information please feel free to give me a call 727-215-0716 Thank you,

Username:

phyldil

Date:

5/15/04

Time:

5:55:24 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I would like to see pictures of black women dressed in church attire!
Thank you, Phyllis

Username:

Phyllis

Date:

5/15/04

Time:

5:59:19 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I would like to see pictures of black women dressed in church attire!
Thank you, Phyllis

Username:

cushber@a0l.com

Date:

5/16/04

Time:

3:11:09 AM

Remote User:

Comments

Username:

Terri

Date:

5/19/04

Time:

11:58:09 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I made church hats when i lived up north, since moving to Tampa i have not been able to purchase any supplies. Does anyone know where I can purcahse frames, flowers and material in Tampa or surrounding areas. email tcmiller@travelers.com phone 813-732-9615

Username:

elizabeth.a.jolly@boeing.com

Date:

6/21/04

Time:

11:15:59 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I recently heard someone tell a story about Black women wearing hats as a symbol of being free woman as opposed owned in slavery. I cannot find any truth to this. Can you help in this matter. thanks, Liz Jolly

Username:

elizabeth.a.jolly@boeing.com

Date:

6/21/04

Time:

11:20:47 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I recently heard someone tell a story about Black women wearing hats as a symbol of being free women as opposed owned in slavery. I cannot find any truth to this. Can you help in this matter. thanks, Liz Jolly

Username:

delhine hendrso

Date:

7/10/04

Time:

8:39:03 PM

Remote User:

Comments

yes i love hat i wear hats ever sunday god bless you

Username:

delhine hendrso

Date:

7/10/04

Time:

8:39:07 PM

Remote User:

Comments

yes i love hat i wear hats ever sunday god bless you

Username:

Tammy Lewis

Date:

7/15/04

Time:

12:16:18 AM

Remote User:

Comments

Username:

Tammy Lewis

Date:

7/15/04

Time:

12:22:09 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I have not seen the production,"Crowns" yet, but I've been told that you mention the women in Baltimore, Maryland that was called the hat lady,she was consider the best milliner in the region. That lady was my mother and she is now deceased. I continue to make hats. I have over all the hat blocks and machines in my home from her store. I would love to hear from someone so that I can share some information with you. I have photos from fashion shows are far back as 1962. I would love to hear from you.

Username:

daniel carrington

Date:

7/17/04

Time:

9:59:00 PM

Remote User:

Comments

Username:

Nathalie M.

Date:

7/24/04

Time:

3:52:52 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am originally from Africa and came to realize the importance of hats for churches. I am so much in love with the fashion hats here in this country. Can anyone tell me where to find a store in the southern region? I live in Virginia and would not mind driving all the way to Atlanta to find something. Thank you

Username:

ruth mitchiner

Date:

8/2/04

Time:

11:54:53 AM

Remote User:

Comments

My grandmother was a connoisseur of church hats. I developed her style and savyness. She dressed from head to toe with stunning hats, matching purses and shoes and of course gloves.

Username:

Lillie McMullen

Date:

8/11/04

Time:

8:01:16 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am very interested in starting a business in the saling of church hats. If you will, can you please send me a catilog with all of your wholesale church hats. My address is
2841 24th Street Tuscaloosa, AL. 35401

Username:

Adrianne Anderson

Date:

8/13/04

Time:

5:35:18 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am a hat wearer and I am starting a hat business and was wanted to know if anyone know of any wholesale shops, I can purchase from. email address: adrianneanderson@sbcglobal.net

Username:

pwif45

Date:

8/20/04

Time:

1:02:52 PM

Remote User:

Comments

Mr. McClendon, by chance are you the son of Lessie McClendon, of McClendon's Hats in Kansas City, MO? Mrs. McClendon has made several beautiful hats for me over the past 10 years. She is a treasure in Kansas City!

Username:

Rosa S. Daniels

Date:

8/21/04

Time:

4:31:50 AM

Remote User:

Comments

Because I am a hat wearing woman,I received two Crowns books for Christmas. I immediately started reading about these women and their church hats. I enjoyed the book immensely.

Username:

bev

Date:

9/19/04

Time:

12:39:08 PM

Remote User:

Comments

your site has somr great remarks but where are some of your answers. I am in need of areas who sell wholesale and short of driving to new york for the best bargains , what I see on the Internet is a rip off. Do you have any sites in mind that I can visit and if so please contact me. Thanks AND i HOPE YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL!!

Username:

the Preacher's Wife

Date:

9/21/04

Time:

11:48:31 AM

Remote User:

Comments

I am also looking for information about the history of hats worm by African American women in church. The reasons they were worn and who wore them forst, etc... I am planning a hat program at my church and would like to share some history with the congregation.

Username:

Mrs.K

Date:

9/21/04

Time:

10:06:40 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I would like more information about your church hats. Is there A web page that I can view? e-mail me at 01jaz07@bellsouth.net

Username:

Diane

Date:

10/12/04

Time:

11:41:52 AM

Remote User:

Comments

Hi, I'm interested in Hats as well. I need a vendor that makes them and one that provides reasonable prices. I would gladly display them in my Boutique. E-mail me at dianejordan22@msn.com Be Real Good! diane

Username:

hat mistress

Date:

12/3/04

Time:

3:24:26 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I love my hats and I wear one every sunday. And i waer my hats because I know that the tradition of wearing hats come from my ancestors. And I also know that black people were never big on words so we express ous feeling through foods and I express the way I feel by my church hats. If one sunday I feel bright and filled with lots of love I will wear one of my big brims so I am able to stand out.And some others days when I feelwitty and I feel like being a true mistress I wear a small hat. And then theres day when I feel like just being plan and simple thats the day when I wear a hat that is not to big an not to small. Iam from the old school and I can remeber when I was just a little lad. And we would suit up to go to church and there would be a lot of older mothers at my church and kme and my sister would try to dedscribe the mothers mood by just looking at their hats and that was fun for me and now i have taken the places of those mothers who have gone on and when I got o church thats the reason why I choose my hat to describe my feeling.And now I turn on the tv set and look to see and I saw a show that was suppose to be a comedy show and they saying how them old people loves to wear those big hats and sit on the front pew, and I said to my self if they only knew the significance of us old people wearing our hats they would be wearing them same hats that we wear and be sitting on the front pew too. I am going to go now I just wanted to tell you that i really enjoyed the outlining olf the play you all have so I know that I would love the play, and the book also. So if you are selling them in Danville I would love to see one if there is any way possible. But if not I enjoyed the over look you all have written. So thank for letting express my feeling .

Username:

Carlton Sydnor

Date:

12/13/04

Time:

11:29:09 AM

Remote User:

Comments

Yes I am interested in women church hats

Username:

dasonya holloway

Date:

12/28/04

Time:

10:16:48 PM

Remote User:

Comments

I am a young lady who grew up watching the mothers of the churches style in their beautiful hats. now that I am old enough to get into that form of style no longer do I see the hat shops in the neighborhood or in town like I once saw.......we are all of the hats????

Username:

dmcclend

Date:

1/8/05

Time:

3:15:10 AM

Remote User:

Comments

If you want "one of a kind" designer church hats, contact Timmothy McClendon at 1-323-291-8669, he is Lessie McClendon's son and is an awesome designer. He sells wholesale and retail.

Username:

Patricia Bellamy

Date:

2/7/05

Time:

12:16:48 PM

Remote User:

Comments

Hats, whether church, business, social, or casual, I just do not feel elegantly dressed without a hat. A hat gives me the flair I really need to look savvy.

Username:

Neil Gamroth

Date:

4/23/05

Time:

3:19:04 PM

Remote User:

Comments

Greetings , We are makers of a unique line of hand made, high quality, high fashion, hat boxes. Please visit our web site at http://www.crowninggloryclearhatboxes.com to see what we are all about. I trust you might like to recommend our designs to your readers to help them preserve their special hat creations. Thank you for your consideration and time,
Clearly Yours, Neil and Joyce Gamroth