Jill Conner Browne knew it was her destiny to be a Queen but wasn’t given the physical goods to qualify. She always wanted to be 5’2”, red hair, big chest and small feet. She grew to be 6’1”, brown hair, no chest and size 10 feet. However, she still believed she was qualified to be a Queen because

• She could smile very broadly for very long periods of time

• She could wave with either hand

• She could form an opinion on just about anything at the drop of a hat with absolutely no facts whatsoever.

• People would obey her, perhaps because they were intimidated.

She looked for a country that needed a Queen, but there were none. Her friend, Malcolm White, organized a St. Patrick’s day parade in her home town of Jackson, MS, and told her that any kind of float or entry was welcomed. She told him she always wanted to ride on a float as a Queen, but couldn’t find any country to be Queen of. Malcolm told her that Vardiman, MS, not 20 miles down the road, was the Sweet Potato Capital of the world. When Jill found out they didn't have a Sweet Potato Queen, she said “I’m it!” She dressed up a la Rose Bowl Queen and rode on the back of a flatbed truck and threw tubers at the crowd. Her best friend joined her and they encouraged others to join. After several years, they started improving on their costumes. Green sequined dress, red wig, sunglasses, pink long gloves and pink majorette boots. (see image above) The dress was "augmented" in the chest and rear area ("junk in the trunk"). She was greatly influenced by the South West Athletic Conference cheerleaders and especially the Golden Girls from Alcorn State. “They do things in the middle of a football field with thousands of people watching that you would expect to pay huge sums of money for and enjoy in a darkened room.” [You can view a great video of them here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulOzqquqGL0 CAUTION: Sexually explicit content! Not recommended for minors. You have been warned! ] The SPQ idea caught on, she started writing books, and the rest is history. We are all invited to Jackson, MS, the 3rd weekend in March to march as a Sweet Potato Queen in the St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Website: http://sweetpotatoqueens.com/spq/meet_the_queens/

Words of Wisdom from Jill:

Three greatest gifts: Laughter, sex and chocolate.

Power of Play: "Daddy said the most important ability in life was to make your own FUN! Lots of times, all you have to work with is what’s between your ears."

Everyone got here with special gifts. Find your gift and make a choice to make your own luck.

She believe there are only two forces at work in the world: Love and Fear. She believes the power of the Love of the Lord can cure all fears.

Never wear panties to a party. You wouldn’t wear a mask if you wanted to be kissed, right?

There are MANY SPQ chapters in Colorado. Here is a sampling:

Chapter: Rocky Mountaineous Queens of Fort Collins, CO

Motto: "I won't be amazed...unless it can juggle and name."

Chapter: Sugarbeet Queens of Fort Collins, CO

Motto: We ain't your ordinary beets!

Bad Girls and Pink Flamingoes! of Fort Collins, CO

Motto: There are never too many pink flamingoes!

Rocky Mountain Oyster Queens of Monument, CO

Motto: "No more foul balls!"

Unaweep Wild Yams of Whitewater, CO

Motto: "Remove clothes when buzzer sounds"

Chapter: Pickled Tators of Parker, CO

Motto: "If ya cain't do it right, do it quick!"

Chapter: Twice Baked Potato Queens of Berthoud, CO

Motto: "Try the fun things in life at least twice!"

Queens in Training of highlands ranch, CO

Motto: "there's a redhead inside of every woman

Chapter: Surburban Queens of Castle Rock, CO

Motto: "We're married, not dead."

Chapter: Countess Queens of Littleton, CO

Motto: "They'll Get Over It!"

Grand Valley Goddesses of Grand Junction, CO

Motto: "Tiarras and Boas at the ready!"

Chapter: Tiaraed Drama Mommas of Gunnison, CO

Motto: "shop til you flop"

Kibble Queens of Denver, CO

Motto: "Love 'em to graduation"

Chapter: Sweet Potato Queen's Colorado Promise of Aurora, CO

Motto: "Be careful for what you wish for -- Be particular!"

Chapter: Big Panty Girls of steamboat springs, CO

Motto: "Put Your Big Girl Panties on and Deal with It"