C’est La Vie Social Club Turns 60

By Tanya  Dennis Sixty years of “fun, laughter and sisterly love.” was celebrated Oct. 30 by the C’est La Vie Social Club, one of the oldest African-American social clubs in the Bay Area.   They celebrated by hosting an elegant luncheon at the Sequoyah Country Club in the Oakland Hills. The room decor in cream and gold with delicate accents of lavender matched the ladies in their cream and gold attire.   Father Jay Matthews was Master of Ceremonies and introduced singer Sydney Ragland, who sang “The Lord’s Prayer” and “A Change is Gonna Come.” Ricardo Scales and John Handy also entertained the nearly 100 guests in attendance. Vice-President Lottie Jackson gave a vivid history of the organization’s 60 years, noting that “The C’est La Vie Club quickly transitioned from a social club having fun and entertainment, to a club that is socially, civically and politically involved.”
  In 1950, America was still 10 years away from the Civil Rights Movement, and African Americans, Negroes was the word back then, were still overtly discriminated against.   Black people were not allowed in the majority of restaurants, nightclubs or hotels.  It didn’t matter if they were doctors, scientists or lawyers, they were Negroes, and that was all that was necessary to bar them from equal access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. C’est La Vie, was born from the desire of 24 African-American professionals to do something about the lack of social activities for African-Americans. Denise Dennis had just completed her studies at San Francisco State College and had received an A in her French class. During a meeting she was sharing her pride and said “I got an “A” in French . . .C’est La Vie!”  Preston Callins asked her what did that mean, and Denise responded, “This is the Life!” and that’s how the club got its name. Detailing the club’s activities, Lottie Jackson said, “We have visited each member’s church, where we offer Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets to the needy; we have given scholarships to deserving students, been lifetime members of the NAACP and hosted elegant affairs at the most prestigious hotels in the Bay Area. ¨ Other activities have included organizing fashion shows at the Jack Tar Hotel and Oakland Auditorium, and for over 30 years, holding an annual July 4th picnic at Vi Taylor Wims home and New Year’s Eve Parties that were the talk of the town, she said. The two remaining founder of the club, Coralee Callins and Denise Dennis, were given awards for their decades of years of leadership.  Vice-President Green encapsulated the C’est La Vie social club in her closing remarks: “The C’est La Vie experience has been one of wonder, love and mutual support. We are sisters, we are family, we are love, we are the C’est La Vie!”