Would you like some tea?

Sitting about and sipping tea during the afternoon is thought to have begun in England after the seventh Duchess of Bedford was tired of feeling hungry.

During her rein in the the 18th century, the large dinner meal was typically served around 8 p.m. and the Duchess decided she needed a little nosh in order to tide her over, so she began offering tea, served with cakes and sandwiches around the 4 p.m.

Nowadays, a formal afternoon tea is more of a special occasion, but for the members of The Pretty Me Tea Society, it is not only a time to come together and enjoy a cup of tea, it is also a time to meet, celebrate uniqueness, promote self-worth and grow spiritually.

Hope Evans is the founder of this local group and said the idea to form The Pretty Me Tea Society grew out of her love of teapots and her association with the Tiara Tea Society in Memphis.

Evans became involved with the Memphis organization after becoming interested in their philanthropic services and decided she wanted to organize something similar in Vicksburg.

The group meets on the fourth Sunday of every month at The Meeting Place on Grove Street and girls who participate are between the ages of 7 and 17.

Prior to engaging in “tea time,” a crowning ceremony is held and each girl receives a tiara. The group also recites The Pretty Me Tea Society motto, “I am kind. I am important and I am pretty.”

“I decided to name the group The Pretty Me Tea Society because some of the girls did not think they were pretty,” Evans said, and added  she wanted the organization to be one that could help instill self-confidence.

Evans said in addition to promoting self-esteem, The Pretty Me Tea Society also offers educational programs, some of which have included learning about different types of china and etiquette.

Events have also included a spring tea party where members all wore hats, and a Valentine tea party.

During the Valentine tea party, conversations revolved around learning how to love one’s self and God’s love for us, Evans said.

The Pretty Me Tea Society also promotes community service and during the water outage, members helped prepare and distribute more than 65 home-cooked and free meals to those in need.

At 4 p.m. July 29 at the Holiday Inn in Vicksburg, The Pretty Me Tea Society will hold its inaugural Tea Ball.

“The girls will be escorted in and presented as a society princess,” Evans said.

Vicksburg resident Linda Anthony will serve as the guest speaker and members will provide the entertainment which, Evans said, will include a poetry reading and an original dance routine.

Awards will also be presented during the Tea Ball.

The One in a Million Success Story Award will be presented to Mayor George Flaggs Jr., Kolean Sanders, Yolande Robbins and Horace Allen.

“These individuals have supported the tea society throughout its first year,” Evans said, and they have served as exemplary role models for the girls.

Other awards presented will include Tea Mom of the Year, which will be presented to Amanda Johnson. Naomi Bell will receive the Tea Assistant of the Year Award.

Gloria Dillon and Selma Peters will also be crowned as honorary lifetime members.

Tickets to the Tea Ball are $10.

For more information about The Pretty Me Tea Society or tickets, call 901-246-8233.