Female Factor is a multipurpose event. The second Wednesday of each month, ladies gather at The Studio in downtown Troy for a time of fellowship, enlightenment, entertainment and a shared lunch.

On Wednesday, the ladies were treated to a fashion show with an opportunity to repay the models for their participation.

The models on the runway are teachers at local schools and will be the recipients of school supplies donated by Female Factor participants.

Diana Lee, emcee for the event, said the Wednesday luncheon kicked off the school supply drive for the teacher/models.

“We are asking our Female Factor participants to donated school supplies that will be divided among our teacher/models in return for their participation,” Lee said. “The drive will continue through our July and August meetings.”
Lee said teachers don’t always receive adequate funding to purchase needed classroom supplies.

“So, let’s help them out by bringing schools supplies to our July and August meetings to donate to them,” Lee said. “The centerpieces on each table today will be disbursed and included in the donations.”

Lee expressed appreciation to the five models for their willingness to participate in the fashion show and to Juliet Adams, owner of The Pink Parlor in Troy, for providing the fashions and accessories for the show.

The models for the Female Factor Fashion Show were: Devin Price, art and drama teacher at Pike Liberal Arts School; Vicki Robinson, Troy Elementary; Karen Smith, third grade, Banks Primary School; Jessica Tatum, first grade, Goshen Elementary School; and Ashley Mcmanigle, special education, Pike County Elementary School.

Price is originally from Montgomery and is one of six children. She has a degree in art and drama from Troy University.

Robinson is a Trojan. Although she is beginning her 24th year of teaching, Robinson said she prepares each year as if it were her first.

Smith is originally from Abbeville. She taught 14 years before finding a permanent home at Banks Primary where she has spent the last 25 years.

Tatum has taught at GES for 13 years. She was honored as the GES and Pike County Schools Teachers of the Year in 2013.

Mcmanigie has been teaching for 14 years. She earned BS and MS degrees from Troy University and is currently taking classes for her EDS degree.

Lee said teachers are unsung heroes and should be greatly appreciated for their dedication to their students and their service to their communities.

Adams gave commentary on the fashions that were modeled in the show. In so doing, she gave valuable tips to the ladies in the audience.

Black and white are basics and can be dressed up or down as the occasions dictate, she said.

“Shoes are as important as the outfit,” Adams said. “Don’t put on a clunky pair of shoes with a nice outfit. Jewelry is everything. A carefully selected nine-dollar piece of jewelry can do wonders, even for a $500 outfit. A kimono can change an outfit, as a cover or to dress it up.”

Adams closed the show with a plug for downtown Troy.

“We are lucky to live in Troy and we have a goldmine in downtown Troy,” she said. “We need you downtown, so come shop our stores, dine in our restaurants and take advantage of all the downtown has to offer.”