Shown, left to right, are Jeannette Krauszer, photo of Beth Levine, Ron Bush, Berenice Giordano and DAR Regent Susan Nifenecker. TheCol. Gilbert Potter Chapter NSDAR of Amityville held its annual luncheon on June 17 at Southward Ho Country Club.

Following lunch the program, Shoes of Our First Ladies, was present by Ron Bush. Beth Levine, a famous shoe designer of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, was an aunt of Bush.

Born on a farm in Patchogue in 1914, Levine grew up and married Herbert Levine in 1946. Together they began a thriving career in shoe design. Beth was quite innovative in her styles and was often referred to as “The First Lady of Shoes.” She introduced boots as an integral part of fashion and won the presti- gious Coty Award in 1967 and 1973, the only shoe designer to win twice.

She also designed shoes for three first ladies, Jackie Kennedy, Lady Bird Johnson and Pat Nixon, as well as such famous names as Barbara Streisand, Nancy Sinatra, Marlene Dietrich, Lauren Bacall, Bette Davis, Marilyn Monroe, Joan Crawford and others.

Levine continued working while in her nineties, still full of energy, wisdom and new ideas.

If you are interested in becoming a member of DAR, contact Kathy Roberts, registrar at 516-541-9206.