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.
First Episodes
Under Pressure: A Very Reluctant Debutante - Part 1
In the 1960s, Mayor Wense Grabarek became nationally known as he led Durham, NC through a tumultuous period of desegregation. He was praised as a civil rights champion...
Under Pressure: A Very Reluctant Debutante - Part 2
Lisa Grabarek continues her story as a resistant debutante: Her reaction to her father's threat, the aftermath, and the surprising conversations with her parents that ...
Anna's story
We turn our attention to NC's statewide debutante ball and hear from a more recent debutante. Anna from eastern NC talks about her experience: the bribe her older sist...
Debutantes as Southern Royalty - Part 1
What is North Carolina's state debutante ball really like? Former debutante and PhD student Anna Shelton-Ormond walks us through the rituals of the ball—including the ...
Debutantes as Southern Royalty - Part 2
Continuing the conversation with Anna Shelton-Ormond, we dive into a more analytical view of NC’s debutante scene. Anna’s research indicates that many NC debs are ambi...