It’s an Alexandria holiday tradition, the annual sherry party hosted by Beverly Steele, Beverly Bidler and Lois Van Valkenberg, a tradition that has survived more than three decades.
The trio began throwing the women-only sherry party in 1979. “And we took over the responsibility from others,” Steele said. “I moved here in 1970 and attended several parties before we began hosting it.”
The hostesses send out about 200 invitations each year and, for a variety of reasons about 125 people attend. “We invite women who have made some contribution to Alexandria,” Steele said. “There are a group of us who have been coming to the party for years.”
Many of the women who come were leaders in the city in the 1950s and ‘60s. “Some of them are in their 80s,” Steele said. “They were leaders in organizations like The League of Women Voters and organizations like that long before it was commonplace for women to work outside the home. They are well educated and articulate and know the history of the city better than almost any other group.”
Men have attempted to gain entrance but have politely been asked to leave. “It’s just kind of a special thing for women,” Steele said. “We are hoping to get some younger women involved and encourage them to become hostesses so that the tradition will continue.”