<p>This episode covers a lot of ground, including personal stories and bits of NC debutante history. We hear directly from four NC women who have deb-related memories—some funny, some poignant. We also answer listener questions, delving into how one becomes an NC debutante (you can’t apply) and how the whole thing began (the first NC debutante ball was a beauty pageant!).  Mary also shares a personal story about a deb party where she blurts out the truth to a reporter. </p><p>Be sure to catch our bonus episode on September 11, and the final episode, available on September 25.</p>

Protecting Southern Womanhood (1920s and 2020s)

Debutante culture in the South is fancy and persistent -- and often very secretive. In "Recovering Debs," writer and former debutante Mary Lambeth Moore examines the shadow side of high society in North Carolina, the only state that continues to have a statewide debutante ball. The podcast begins with a story from the 1960s when a young woman's prominent father made her debut a matter of life-and-death. 

Subsequent episodes include interviews with more recent state debutantes and academic experts who have studied deb culture. The recurring questions are why does debutante culture persist? Who benefits and how?  Limited series, with most episodes released on Wednesdays.