The High Tea Society (HTS) was founded in 1997 by Judge Mary Terrell to expose young girls in Washington D.C. to culture through afternoon tea programs while also boosting their self-esteem and academic achievement. HTS recruits girls in 4th grade and offers programs until high school graduation focused on academic, cultural, community, and professional development. Major programs include teaching social skills over tea, gang prevention, support for teenage mothers, and a fashion and theater summer program. HTS uses afternoon tea as a vehicle to teach life skills beyond "street skills" to prepare girls for 21st century success.

1. Ambassadors of Change
Washington Women
The High Tea Society (HTS) was launched in 1997 by Judge
Mary Terrell, as a vehicle to expose young girls to the rich
cultural offerings of the District of Columbia while providing
a tailored program designed to boost self esteem, inspire
academic achievement and create “Ambassadors of Change”
- poised, confidant, college bound young ladies willing to share
their HTS experiences and values with their family and friends.
T he High Tea Society (HTS) was founded by the Honor-
able Judge Mary Terrell in 1997, as a vehicle to expose
young girls to the rich cultural offerings of the District of
Columbia, while also providing a tailored program designed
to boost self esteem, inspire academic achievement and cre-
ate “ambassadors of change.” HTS protégés who attend D.C.
Public Schools, are recruited in the 4th grade and remain
in the program until high school graduation and/or college
acceptance.
The High Tea Society offers a five-pronged educational
program that includes Academic Achievement, Cultural
Awareness, Community Service, Lifestyle Improvement &
International Awareness (ACCLI). HTS currently offers four The High Tea Society, wearing dresses by designer Jessica McClintock
major programs to provide girls attending DC Public Schools
with tools to succeed academically, professionally, and High Tea Society Board of Directors
socially, including: Dr. Gloria Herndon, Chair and President, GB Herndon & Associates
Teaching Through Tea program for 10 to 18 year old girls Ms. Wilma Lewis, Esq., General Counsel, Fanni Mae
emphasizing the importance of academic prowess and social Ms. Jeanne Hubbard, Treasurer and President & CEO, Adams Natl. Bank
grace. Ms. Fannie Allen. Secretary and CEO, The Allen Etiquette Institute
I am a STAR! (Sophisticated, Talented, Articulate and Ms. Lorna John, Esq. and General Counsel, High Tea Society
Responsible) gang prevention program for 13 to 16 year old Ms. Berna Gunn Williams, Former President, Scrubbles Janitorial Services Co.
girls attending Walker Jones elementary school. Ms. Marie Johns. Former President, Verizon Washington, DC
CHARMS (Charming, Articulate, Responsible Moms)
program for teenage mothers 15 to 19 years old attending High Tea Society Advisory Board
Anacostia High School. Mr. Robert Goodwin, Executive Director, Points of Light Foundation
Charming by Design Fashion and Theater Arts Summer Ms. Dorthea Johnson, Founder, Protocol School of Washington
Program for 112 14 and 15 year old girls enrolled in Mayor Mr. Edward Johnson and Associates,
Fenty’s Passport to Work Summer Youth Program. P.C. Architecture Landscape Design Interiors Planning
The High Tea Society (HTS) was never just a dress up Mr. John Harney, Founder, Harney & Sons Fine Teas
and go to tea program. Rather, it was designed in response Ms. Barbara Lang, President, DC Chamber of Commerce
to the urgent social and academic realities facing many girls Ms. Beverly Perry, Senior Vice President
living in Washington, DC. Hats and gloves and the after- Government Affairs and Public Policy, Pepco Holdings Inc.
noon tea backdrop of the program presented an interesting Mr. J. Norwood Pratt, International Tea Guru & Editor-in-chief,
dichotomy when juxtaposed against some of the every day Tea Trade--the Magazine of World Tea Business
experiences of our youth. HTS uses afternoon tea” as a vehi- Judge Mary Terrell, Founder, High Tea Society
Ms. Roberta Sims, Vice President Corporate Relations, Washington Gas
cle to teach our girls that success in the 21st century requires Rev. Dr. James E. Terrell, Pastor, Second Baptist Church Judge Mary A. Gooden Terrell was appointed to the Superior Court of the
certain life skills, as “street skills” are not enough. Over the District of Columbia in 1997 by President William Jefferson Clinton. Judge
years, HTS has observed the novelty of afternoon tea wear High Tea Society Founding Members Terrell was born in Jacksonville, Florida and raised in Akron, Ohio. She
away to become an everyday way of life among DC youth. Ms. Joann Anderson, Powernomics Corp. of America received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University, Masters of
HTS is not confined to a tea box, we teach through tea! Ms. Tina Blanchard, President, La Moda, Inc. Arts in Teaching from Antioch College and her law degree from Georgetown
Ms. Jeanne Clarke Harris, President, Details International, Inc. University School of Law. Judge Terrell is a former Peace Corps volunteer,
Ms. Angela Heath, President, Grace Media, LLC. having been stationed in India. Founder of the Dix Street Academy, an alter-
Tel +1.202.318.9155
Ms. Lorna John, Esq., General Counsel, High Tea Society native high school for students who dropped out of the public schools, she
www.TheHighTeaSociety.org Ms. Kayte McLaughlin, President & CEO, Penguin Unity Enterprises, Inc later went on to serve as an Assistant United States Attorney.
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High Tea Society (image courtesy: Kiawah Island Golf Resort - www.kiahresort.com)