Perle Mesta (October 12, 1889, Sturgis, Michigan - March 16, 1975, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) was an American society figure, political hostess, and ambassador to Luxembourg (1949 - 1953). Her name is sometimes wrongly given as Pearl Mesta. October 12 is the 285th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (286th in leap years). ... 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Sturgis is a city located in St. ... March 16 is the 75th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (76th in Leap years). ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... Downtown Oklahoma City The State Capitol of Oklahoma From The South Motto: Nickname: Capital of the New Century Founded Incorporated 1889   County Oklahoma County Cleveland County Canadian County Borough Parrish Mayor Mick Cornett Area  - Total  - Water 1,608. ...

Mesta was known as "the hostess with the mostest" for her lavish parties featuring the brightest stars of Washington, D.C. society -- such stars included artists, entertainers and many top-level national political figures. Washington, D.C. is the capital city of the United States of America. ...

Mesta was the daughter of Bill Skirvin, an original 89er who became a wealthy oilman (his Skirvin Hotel remains an elegant Oklahoma City fixture). She married manufacturer George Mesta but was a widow by age 36. She settled in Newport R.I. but moved to Washington D.C. in 1940. She was active in the National Woman's Party and was an early supporter of an Equal Rights Amendment. She switched to the Democratic Party in 1940 and was an early supporter of Harry Truman, who rewarded her with the ambassadorship to Luxembourg where she launched the Nordstrom Sisters. Categories: Stub | Oklahoma history ... The National Womans Party (NWP), was a womens organization founded in 1913 that fought for womens rights during the early 20th century in the United States, particularly for the right to vote on the same terms as men and against employment discrimination. ... The Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) was a proposed amendment to the United States Constitution which would have guaranteed equal rights under law for Americans regardless of sex. ... For the victim of Mt. ... The Nordstrom Sisters were an American sister act from 1931 – 1976 Billed as society performers, these international cabaret singers were often styled as The Misses Nordstrom or introduced as those Park Avenue darlings, the Nordstrom Sisters. ...

But Mesta is most noted for her parties, which brought together senators, congressmen, cabinet secretaries, and other luminaries in bi-partisan soirées of high-class glamour. Invitation to a Mesta party was a sure sign that one had reached the inner circle of Washington political society. Her influence waned somewhat, though, with the ascension of the Republican Eisenhower administration in 1953. Dwight David Ike Eisenhower (October 14, 1890–March 28, 1969), American soldier and politician, was the 34th President of the United States (1953–1961) and supreme commander of the Allied forces in Europe during World War II, with the rank of General of the Army. ...

Mesta wrote an autobiography Perle: My Story, published in 1960, and was the subject of a book by Paul Lesch, Playing Her Part: Perle Mesta in Luxembourg. She was the inspiration for Irving Berlin's musical, Call Me Madam, which starred Ethel Merman as the character based on Mesta in both the Broadway play and movie. She appeared on the March 14, 1949 cover of Time Magazine. Irving Berlin (May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989), born Israel Isidore Baline, in Tyumen, Russia (or possibly Mogilev, Belarus), was an American composer and lyricist, one of the most prodigious and famous American songwriters in history. ... Call Me Madam is one of Irving Berlins last musical comedies. ... Ethel Merman (January 16, 1908 - February 15, 1984) was a star of stage and film musicals, well known for her incredible vocal range and diction, and comic acting (although she could do drama also). ... March 14 is the 73rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (74th in Leap years) with 292 days remaining in the year. ... 1949 (MCMXLIX) is a common year starting on Saturday. ... (Clockwise from upper left) Time magazine covers from May 7, 1945; July 25, 1969; December 31, 1999; September 14, 2001; and April 21, 2003. ...

Quote: Any bitch with a million dollars and a nice dress can be a great hostess in Washington. -- Perle Mesta