Celebrating Modesty

"You would not believe the celebration that took place when we saw there was a store in Georgia that had modest dresses."

That is what a mom said to me recently after she and her daughter came to The Yellow Rose and bought a modest bridal gown. I have received very similar comments from numerous other customers. They are all happy and delighted that there is a store where young women can buy a modest formal or bridal gown. I always get the following question:

"Do you know how hard it is to find a modest gown?"

My answer is always the same:

"Yes, I know how difficult it is! This is why I opened The Yellow Rose."

I am so pleased that there are so many young women who want to dress modestly. It is my hope that women everywhere, not simply the young ones, will find modesty important.

Along those lines, I was thrilled when I learned of the new Mrs. Texas International, Bonnie Hubert. Mrs. Hubert was the only contestant to wear a gown with sleeves. Modesty was a priority to her and she was not willing to compromise her standards for a beauty pageant. She was quoted as saying, "I feel like it turned out great because I could feel beautiful and comfortable in what I selected. You have to put in a little effort, but it is worth it because then your beauty can shine through."

I'm happy there are women like Bonnie Hubert out there who are a wonderful example of womanhood and modesty.

The Yellow Rose is in the news

This article appeared in the Gwinnett Daily Post on May 10, 2009.

Berkmar High student wins scholarship dress
By Heather Darenberg

Julia Kilgore wanted to do something to reward Hispanic girls for making good grades in school and encourage them to continue their education. She also wanted to do something to honor her sister's dedication and love of learning.Earlier this year, Kilgore, the owner of the Yellow Rose Bridal Shop in
Old Town Lilburn, decided to give a girl a formal dress from her shop in honor of her sister, Gloria, who died in 1986 at the age of 43 from breast cancer.

Students at Berkmar High School were eligible to apply for the merit-based award, and senior Vanessa Flores was chosen as the winner of the "Gloria Dress."Instead of finishing high school, Gloria Garza Rodriguez eloped when she was 16 and had her first child about a year later. Eventually, Gloria divorced her husband, but the mother of two young children also obtained her GED and enrolled at Angelo State University. She received a degree in elementary education, becoming the only one of her siblings to graduate from college, and taught kindergarten.

"Gloria's story taught me that it is possible to be a strong, brave and courageous young lady," Flores wrote after receiving the dress. "Her story has inspired me to follow my dreams. Even though I did not have the privilege of meeting her, I attest that she still inspires other people today. Her struggles and victories reminded me how blessed I am to have the opportunity to go to college."Coming from an extremely humble Mexican family, I am tremendously lucky to be able to pursue a career. To me, as was the case with Gloria, education is the key to success. In the future, I hope to receive a master's degree in social work."Kilgore said she plans to continue this scholarship and hopes to offer it to students at two schools next year.

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I have always wanted to do something in honor of my sister, Gloria. After she died, I remember thinking how great it would be if I could establish a scholarship in her memory for a Hispanic girl. I wanted to offer it a Hispanic because, being of Mexican descent myself, I know the drop out rate for Hispanics is high. But at that time I was still raising my children so my idea sat on the back burner for a while. However, after I opened The Yellow Rose, I realized that I could offer one of my dresses to a deserving young lady. I came up with three requirements. First, that she be of Hispanic origin, second, that she have a GPA of at least 3.5, and third, that she have plans to attend a post-secondary institution. I worked with Ms. West, a counselor at Berkmar H.S. and she selected Vanessa.

Vanessa came to my shop to introduce herself to me and from the moment I met her, I knew that the counselor had made the right choice.

I am very pleased with the first recipient of my "Gloria Dress".