Since its founding in 1938, the Spokane Lilac Festival has celebrated community, youth, and service, providing a stage for young women to step into leadership roles. In 1940, Shannon Mahoney was crowned as the festival’s very first Lilac Queen, setting a precedent for poise, civic pride, and service that continues to guide the Royal Court today. Mahoney’s coronation marked the beginning of a tradition in which young women are recognized not only for grace and presentation, but also for their commitment to their schools, communities, and broader Spokane region.
Over the decades, Lilac Festival Queens have gone on to make significant contributions across a wide spectrum of fields. Shelley Gilchrist Broader, crowned in 1982, exemplifies the power of leadership cultivated early. After her time as Queen, Broader launched a career in the business world that took her to the top of the corporate ladder as CEO of Chico’s FAS, where she oversaw international operations and helped shape the company into a global brand. Broader credits her festival experience with teaching critical skills in public speaking, confidence, and poise—tools she would carry with her throughout her professional journey.
Public service is another sphere where Lilac Queens have shone. Karen Stratton, the 1977 Queen, translated her experience as a festival ambassador into a meaningful career in local governance, serving on the Spokane City Council. Her time as Queen provided early exposure to community engagement, public representation, and civic leadership—skills that became foundational in her work advocating for Spokane residents.
Monika Palmlund Hawkinson, crowned in 1986, returned to the festival years later as Festival President, guiding the organization and mentoring a new generation of leaders. Her leadership reflects the ongoing commitment of former Queens to give back, ensuring the festival continues to serve as a platform for youth empowerment and community pride.
Even today, the tradition thrives with young women like Josephine Ortega, 2023 Queen, who balances academics, community service, and advocacy, demonstrating that the Lilac Festival continues to cultivate future leaders. Her dedication, along with her peers in the Royal Court, exemplifies the festival’s core mission: Honoring our Military, Empowering our Youth, and Showcasing our Region.
From the first Queen in 1940 to the modern Royal Court, the Spokane Lilac Festival has consistently empowered women to develop leadership skills, build confidence, and serve their communities. For Women’s History Month, their stories remind us that leadership is cultivated early, strengthened through service, and expressed in countless ways—whether in boardrooms, city halls, classrooms, or festival stages. These Queens embody the enduring impact of mentorship, tradition, and opportunity, inspiring Spokane’s young women to reach for excellence in every arena of life.
