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My People, My People! Queen Of The Gullah/Geechee Nation Presented With South Carolina’s Top Civilian Honor

by Lauren Hill

October 31, 2021 539 views
 

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the state of South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, by Gov. Henry McMaster. The governor’s recognition came for “a lifetime of extraordinary achievement, service and contributions on a national or statewide scale,” he said.

The Chieftess, also known as Marquetta L. Goodwine, celebrated her honor at the Cannon Street Theater in Charleston, SC. She simultaneously launched “Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Awareness Month 2021” during the “Moja Art Experience” reception.

Queen Quet is a native of St. Helena Island, SC and the first person from her island to receive the prestigious award. She founded the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition in 1996 to protect Gullah/Geechee culture.

Queen Quet, an author, preservationist, and performance artist, has received approximately 300 awards and honors over the years and sees this one as not only for her, but for the entire Gullah/Geechee Nation especially for her ancestors that built South Carolina through their knowledge and skills.

“Disya award sweet as a Gullah/Geechee Palmetto rose!,” she says.

The Order of the Palmetto refers to South Carolina being the “Palmetto State,” in official recognition of the Sabal Palmetto trees that are prominent in the state and which are included in their state flag and state seal.

For more information, visit www.queenquet.com.


View other installments in the My People, My People! series.

 
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Lauren Hill
Freelance Writer
 

 

 

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