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History of Lebonte of Petal
The Lebonte Literary Club was founded in late 1972 as a social organization for women in Petal, MS. This new organization was sponsored by the Heritage Club of Petal. Mrs. Jolene Strickland was installed as the first president in December of 1972. In the first years after its inception, members gathered twice a month to learn about community/home issues and organize efforts to give back to Petal. These efforts included refreshments for children at local libraries, Christmas parties for special needs students in Petal schools, gifts for the elderly, scholarship donations, and monetary gifts to community projects. In its early years, the Lebonte Literary Club was affiliated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs and the Mississippi Federation of Women's Clubs.
Lebonte Literary Club's first Executive Board, 1972. (front) Mrs. Elaine Mathis, second vice president; Mrs. Jolene Strickland, president; Mrs. Karen Netterville, first vice president (back) Mrs. Mary Ann O'Neal, historian; Mrs. Nancy Richardson, reporter; Mrs. Dean Gatwood, treasurer, Mrs. Jean Young, secretary (Mrs. Rosie Kinard, parliamentarian, not pictured)
In 1975, Lebonte Literary Club began sponsoring the Petal Miss Hospitality Pageant. In 1982, Lebonte Club voted to also devote its efforts to Junior Miss programs for residents of Petal. Miss Ginny Edwards (Reynolds) was the first Petal Junior Miss at that first program in 1983. The 2023 program marked the 40th anniversary of the Petal Junior Miss (now Distinguished Young Women) program, and Lebonte has had a hand in each program's success.
In 1974, Mrs. Micky Curry and Mrs. Jimmy D. Young prepare for a holiday bazaar hosted by Lebonte Literary Club.
In the 2010s, Lebonte made the Junior Miss/DYW program a focus of its efforts. Currently, Lebonte (formerly the Lebonte Literary Club) hosts the annual DYW program and raises thousands of dollars in scholarship funds for DYW winners each year. Many of Lebonte's current members are former participants in Junior Miss/DYW programs.
Photos and information courtesy of Hattiesburg American
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