NEW ORLEANS, LA - – The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale held its annual “The Reveal” members-only soirée on Sunday, August 7, at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center where it selected its 2023 royalty and announced next season’s parade theme, honorary grand marshal and floats. Preceding the event was an induction ceremony that saw over 400 new members join the Femme Nation.
“We are elated to have Femme Monique R. Jones as our 2023 Queen Femme Fatale and beyond proud to welcome the newest members into the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale,” said Founding Member and President Lisa Ray Diggs. “As we prepare to celebrate a decade in Carnival, we have many exciting things planned to commemorate our herstory. This is just the beginning!”
President Diggs announced the theme, “The Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale Presents the Gems of Femme Nation!” – and recognized Visionary and Founder Gwendolyn Victoria Rainey along with the Founding Members for their desire to establish Femme Fatale as the premier carnival krewe for African American women. Diggs wove the theme throughout the evening’s activities sharing that MKFF began as a flicker in the eyes of the founders “just as glitzy gems attract your attention,” she said. Named for precious gems,
Parade Captain Dr. Takeisha Charles Davis stated, “The 2023 parade floats are sure to shine with monikers such as Amethyst, Diamond, Onyx and Emerald.”
Founding Member Sharlayne Jackson Prevostset the tone for the queen’s selection describing the process by which one of five ladies would be determined the winner. In a game of chance, it was the luck of the draw with Jones securing the designer charm with a crown for the win.
“I honestly was in shock. I knew that it was a possibility that I could be selected, but it didn’t hit home until I saw that beautiful crown charm,” said Jones. “I hesitated to say that I had it because I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. My dreams were becoming reality.”
Jones is a two-year member of the Mystic Krewe of Femme Fatale and the Sunkissed Femmes float and serves on the fundraising committee. She works as a high school counselor at Patrick F. Taylor Science and Technology Academy in Avondale, La. Jones is also a proud member of the Alpha Beta Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the Knights of Peter Claver Ladies Auxiliary Court #403.
As the night went on, it was full of surprises and the announcement of the 2023 Honorary Grand Marshal was met with rounds of applause for trailblazer and Retired Chief Justice Bernadette Joshua Johnson, who served as the first Black and only the second female Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court.
|