07/23/2019
And the Winner is...
Ward 6 resident Karen Houser Hall won the 2019 American Classic Woman of the Year Pageant at the historic Lincoln Theatre on Sunday, July 21, 2019. The pageant, in its 19th year, showcases the artistic talents and creativity of Washington, DC senior ladies age 55 and above, inspires seniors to remain active, and promotes seniors as being integral parts of their communities.
The American Classic Woman of the Year, Queen of Washington, DC, for 2019 serves as an ambassador for the DC senior community and will represent the District of Columbia at citywide, regional and national events and make public appearances locally and wherever invited elsewhere.
Joan Bowser, mother of DC Mayor Muriel E. Bowser, was crowned as the honorary Queen of Washington, DC, at the pageant. Mayor Bowser and members of the Bowser family were in attendance.
A Capitol Hill resident, Hall, 61, is a native Washingtonian educated in the D.C public school system. Her studies continued with the Smith Business School and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Hall combined her education and interests to become a talented singer, dancer, choreographer, entrepreneur and motivator. She has dedicated her time and energy for more than 40 years as a Recreation Specialist with the D.C. Department of Parks and Recreation, an after school coordinator, and volunteer coordinator with Banneker Academic High School.
Hall is a member of Southern Baptist Church, Praise and Worship Center, and volunteers with Catholic Charities, SAMARICORP, Ludlow Taylor Elementary School, DCPS, Friends of Harrison, College Bound, and is a community-partnership advocate.
She loves performing, cultural fine arts, reading, shopping, and culinary arts. Hall wants to be remembered “as one who is in gracious servitude to others by letting God’s Light shine in and through me.” Her philosophy of life is “to live and let live.” At the pageant, she performed a creative movement in mime to “I Didn’t Know My Own Strength,” written by Warren and Hurston.
The six ladies that competed for the crown were judged on their talent and evening gown presentations, their philosophy of life, and responses to interview questions.
Contestants and other volunteers participate in a 16 week program in preparation for the pageant, during which time they recruit contestants, obtain sponsors, rehearse their artistic talents, which include singing, writing and reciting poetry, dance, music and dramatic performance, and fashion design, and produce and present the program. Contestants perform in a capstone competition at the historic Lincoln Theatre before an audience of family, friends, and the general public.
Major supporters of the 2019 pageant include the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and Douglas Development Corporation.
Photo Credit: Photo by Pleasant Mann, Courtesy American Classic Woman Pageant.
