The First Lady’s Luncheon
My Day by Dr. J. Ester Davis
In a word the entire experience was an ‘epic’ one!
I receive more than a generous number of telephone calls and messages per day. And you would think you have possibly received generally all the array of big subjects messages you can imagine as it relates to my 30+ years in some form of media. In March, 2023, I received a call from an admired friend who is a native New York. She was inviting me to Washington, DC, for the “First Lady’s Luncheon”. Her Dad was a former Member of Congress from New York. Even though we communicate often, our last time together was at the United Nations in New York for the global ‘Commission on the Status of Women’. I reported on the week both locally and globally for UPI and PAX TV. Our audiences for JED World Media, CAN (Community Affairs Network) aka Ester Davis Show spans ten(10)countries and a very loyal viewership.
April 9, 2023, the official mail arrived addressed to ‘Honorable Ester Davis’. That really got my attention! I was indeed very excited and more than a little ‘blown away’.
My letter was two pages, explaining background and history of the Congressional Club and the First Lady’s Luncheon. The First Lady’s Luncheon was chartered by Congress in 1908. I was invited to attend the 110th First Lady’s Luncheon and the Silver Reception. The event was attended by invited guests, current and former spouses of Members of Congress, Members of Congress, the United States Supreme Court and the President’s Cabinet. While I was there, I noticed a lot of personalities in the hallway I see on television…and everybody is speaking to everybody. Security was commanding and not speaking.
Each year at the luncheon there is a chair and a theme. This year the chair was from New York. The theme of this year’s event “Empire State of Mind’, showcasing the State of New York.
The day of the luncheon started early, the President was to leave for the G7 Summit in Japan. That was an obvious high profile awareness with a lot of changes placed in capable hands. Exiting my hotel which was across the street from the Congressional Club, you see these vehicles that have little presence in Dallas…. marked blatantly United States Secret Service everywhere. Everything was decent and in order with a quiet rush wisp of protocol. Entering the lobby there was a grand piano with a pianist in a tuxedo at 9:00 AM. Credentials were checked. Directions were given and everybody was properly on duty moving not lingering dressed exquisite for their assignments. A light breakfast was the order of the morning, but it was designed for pre-introductions before moving to the main event. Our table of invited guests were to meet, greet, be briefed again before the regimented move to the luncheon. I remember when our breakfast table was assigned, I could still hear the beautiful patriotic piano music.
We were reminded that two of our international guest were still missing. I was looking forward to meeting everyone before the luncheon. Information from the International Association of First Ladies, the two missing were from the Dominican Republic (DR). One was a Supreme Court Judge for County of Nassau New York State, looking forward to retirement and the other an Ambassador from the Dominican Republic. And we knew they spoke several languages. When they arrived, they both looked professional, comfortable and engaging, but I took a mental note that they must know each other. They turned out to be sisters. The Ambassador, an older sister, was still living in the DR, and the judge lived in upper state New York. They were real down home regular siblings. We had a great time together right up to our departing times.
The introduction of First Lady Jill Biden was handsomely made by the Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff. The entertainment superb and the luscious gifts unimaginable.
I am so grateful for the opportunity, for Dallas, WFWP US and across the globe… and for the acknowledgement of my work everywhere. You are the greatest!!
Esterdavis2000@gmail.com
