Classy Chronicles – Classy Living Society

Look in the dictionary under classy lady and you’ll find Moretta’s name.  She’s a true testament to service and dedication and as an Oh So Classy CLS member, Moretta takes her commitment to help others seriously.  She says she’s always had a tremendous spirit of giving and that’s exactly why she joined an organization like Classy Living Society.  Paying it forward has been and continues to be a strong mantra that allows her to live life as a servant leader.  Moretta firmly believes that CLS gives her many ample, unique, and rewarding opportunities to share her time and talents through service. Talk about blessings, Moretta says…” it is a tremendous blessing to be able to help those who are less fortunate than I am through so many various acts of volunteerism.”  Building a powerful partnership with like-minded women who seek to empower and improve the lives of others is what Moretta strived for.  Being a  member of CLS has given Moretta the opportunity to do just that. She was looking for a group of dedicated ladies not only to volunteer with but to also share incredible life experiences.

CLS fit right into her plans, especially after becoming an empty nester when her daughter Moranda left home for school.  Moretta describes her daughter as being both beautiful and amazing and lets her pride shine when she fondly speaks of her daughter’s accomplishments. 

Moretta grew up on the picturesque Mississippi Gulf Coast, in Moss Point, where she enjoyed opportunities for fishing, walking in beautiful outdoor parks, luxury resorts, restaurants, and other unique attractions.  After graduating from Alabama State University with a degree in Accounting/Business Management, she moved to the Atlanta area where she’s been a proud resident for 33 years. 

Moretta’s business acumen is extensive.  She originally worked for corporate America in the banking industry, then eventually ended up working for the famed Coca-Cola Company for 17 years.  Moretta acknowledges that it was a challenge working in corporate America and being a hard-working single parent, especially considering that her job required 60% travel.  These perceived hardships gave her the ability to totally empathize with others.  She understood a single mother’s plight and totally understood the obstacles. 

In 2004, Moretta made the decision to change careers and she transferred her impressive skill set to work in one of the local school districts.  She realized her true passion when she started working with students, parents, and other stakeholders.  This soon became a very rewarding experience for her.  Moretta says that it is extremely fulfilling to know that she has made an absolute impact on “at-risk” students over the years, by equipping them with the right resources and pathways for future success.  She continues to stay committed in her quest to support students with their educational endeavors.  

Besides experiencing and participating in the unique volunteer opportunities that CLS has to offer, Moretta sits on several board committees.  One such committee is KDOW (Kids’- Doc- On- Wheels) which is a subsidiary of Decatur Pediatrics. This organization offers access to a program that prepares America’s youngest children to succeed in school by partnering with doctors to prescribe books and encourage families to read together.  The program is for children age 6-months through age 5.  Moretta’s service knows no limits or boundaries!

Now, what does a classy lady like Moretta do when she has some spare time?  She enjoys the art of vintage shopping where she usually secures the most unique finds.  She has also traveled extensively to many destinations and she well knows about the expression “wheels up!”

 Moretta has landed in exotic and remarkable places. Sophisticated Paris, beautiful Hawaii, glorious London, the tranquil blue Caribbean, the busy Panama Canal, and other European countries have been on her schedule.  She’s enjoyed every experience she’s had in these amazing places and plans to continue to travel as soon as she can.  Moretta also enjoys gardening in her yard which by the way has a lot of curb appeal.  Moretta also loves spending quality time with her family and many friends.  With the help of her new granddog Luda, she and her daughter have a great time creating memories that can be shared for years to come. 

If you ask Moretta about her ministry, she’ll say that she definitely has one.  Her ministry is her total commitment to serving the community and making a pledge to positively impact those in need.  

Your light is shining brightly Moretta, so continue to be the classy star and solid volunteer that you are!

“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day…”

It rained off and on all day on Saturday, June 19, but the weather didn’t stop 35 CLS ladies from bringing the sunshine to the Estrella rooftop of Atlanta’s Bazati restaurant for the Yellow Dress Rooftop Mixer!  The ladies, resplendent in yellow dresses, gathered for a cause they are passionate about.  Yellow represents CLS’ stance against human and sex trafficking as the organization continues to take its place in the fight against this global problem that affects millions of people around the world.  While it was a social event for the organization, it was, more importantly, an opportunity to give back with purpose.

Located on the Atlanta Beltline, Estrella, meaning “Star” in Spanish, has been touted as one of the best rooftops in Atlanta, with one of the best views of the Atlanta skyline.  Because of the inclement weather, the ladies enjoyed the afternoon inside, adjacent to the outdoor roof.  They grooved to upbeat Latin music and enjoyed Mexican cuisine, fresh squeezed margaritas and other crafted cocktails.  

The event was in benefit to Gigi’s House, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving girls ages 13-19 who are victims of sex trafficking. In addition to safe housing, they provide individual and group trauma-informed therapy with a licensed therapist, home-school, mentoring, life skills, and daily self-confidence-building activities.  CLS collected over 30 inspirational letters/notecards and fast food restaurant gift cards for the girls at Gigi’s House at the event!  

Mission accomplished!  The event was a huge success and was enjoyed by all in attendance.  Classy Living Society brought a ray of sunshine to Estrella rooftop and hopefully, also brought the sunshine to 30+ girls through donations to Gigi’s House! 

Written by: Janine Lattimore of New York Red Blog

On May 18, Classy Living Society celebrated its eighth year in business!  What a major accomplishment!  This year CLS celebrated with a multi-part giveback/social mission!  

During the anniversary week, members posted photographs from their favorite past social and volunteer events, recounting what CLS means to them.  Many of them told the story of how they joined, and the difference that becoming a member has made to their lives.  It was heartwarming to see the photos that have so many memories attached to them.  It was quite a treat to read all of the funny stories, as well as the heartfelt stories of “beautiful survival”, success and triumphs.  The stories are a true testament to the fact that CLS has left, and will continue to leave, an indelible mark on its members and the community at large.  That, in and of itself, is something to celebrate!

In further celebration, CLS members each donated $10 or more to CLS’s 2021 community partner, Margie’s House, to pour into their mission and vision.  Margie’s House serves the community as an outlet to equip disadvantaged families with physical, spiritual, emotional or financial needs.  They provide resources that help them gain and maintain long-term independence.  Collectively, CLS members donated a total of $900 to Margie’s House!

Bonjour!  On Saturday, May 22, CLS members travelled to Paris to celebrate!  Well…not really!  But close to it!  The Berets & Bubbly event was held at Le Bilboquet, a French restaurant in the Buckhead area of Atlanta.  The ladies wore stylish berets, and sat on the patio to dine and clink glasses of celebratory champagne on the patio of the restaurant.  Bon appetit! 

Not only did the ladies enjoy bubbly and delicious fare, CLS had a few goodies lying in wait!  Everyone was asked to check the underside of the table in front of them for birthday cards taped there.  If found, they were eligible to win a prize!  A few of the members won fabulous gift cards, and the first member to arrive, Ms. Jeannette Washington Whipple, won a night’s stay at the beautiful Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta.  Before leaving, the ladies unleashed the festive balloons that were tied to the tables and chairs and released them into the clear blue sky.  The balloon release was symbolic of the passion and forward thought of the organization for itself – the sky’s the limit … and beyond!

Of final note, the Founding Sisters of CLS presented a $500 scholarship to a deserving young lady of the Girls of Excellence.  During the presentation, Founding Sister Tarrah Smith announced that they would also be purchasing the scholarship recipient’s books for four years!  Girls of Excellence is a nonprofit organization that provides supportive services to girls ages 8-18 in grades 3-12. https://girlsofexcellenceinc.org/

Most people equate birthdays with receiving gifts, and that’s an excellent way to celebrate!  But there’s something about giving that brings a special ambiance to the celebration of a new year.  The best way that CLS knows to celebrate the beginning of a new year in business is to give back to others.  It’s the finest way to say “thank you” to all of its members, supporters, well-wishers and community partners.  Without you, all that we do would not be possible!

Happy Birthday, Classy Living Society!   

“To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The temperature was warm, the sunshine golden yellow, the sky blue, the fields green, and the strawberries were blooming … as Classy Living Society brought Spring 2021 in with a bang at Southern Belle Farm!  On May 8, the ladies of CLS donned their cutest denim overalls and red tank tops and got together for a day on the farm to pick fresh delicious strawberries! 

Welcome to the farm!  Southern Belle Farm is a family owned 330-acre working farm. They are open seasonally for fresh produce, berry picking, peach picking, fall fun, Christmas trees, and much more! Located in McDonough, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, Southern Belle Farm also has a wonderful farm market and bakery, where you can buy so many unique and delicious products – fresh scrumptious strawberry shortcake, pound cake, jams and jellies, strawberry cake, fruity syrups, gifts, and more!  Each visitor purchases a keepsake basket to fill with delicious berries or whatever fruit is offered/in season.  

Since it was Mother’s Day weekend, many of the CLS members brought their children and/or grandchildren along! It was truly the most adorable thing to watch the cute kiddies filling their baskets with strawberries!

After strawberry picking, a few of the ladies headed to a nearby Mexican restaurant to enjoy lunch and strawberry margaritas!  

It was an amazing day in the sun, picking strawberries among the lush green rows of the farm, cows mooing nearby and the blue sky overhead.  Anyone want strawberry smoothies, cake, bread, ice cream, cobbler…?  We’ve got plenty!  Springtime fun and sisterhood!  Now that’s Classy!