Queen Quet Marquetta L. Goodwine is a published author, computer scientist, lecturer, mathematician, historian, columnist, preservationist, environmental justice advocate, environmentalist, film consultant, and “TheArt-ivist.” She is the founder of the premiere advocacy organization for the continuation of Gullah/Geechee culture, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition.
Queen Quet has not only provided “histo-musical presentations” throughout the world, but was also the first Gullah/Geechee person to speak on behalf of her people before the United Nations in Genevé, Switzerland. Queen Quet was one of the first of seven inductees in the Gullah/Geechee Nation Hall of Fame. She received the “Anointed Spirit Award” for her leadership and for
being a visionary.
Queen Quet was vetted with the US White House as an Expert Commissioner in the Department of the Interior and was the Chair of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor General Management Plan. Queen Quet served on the “National Park Relevancy Committee” and has engaged in several White House Conferences. She continues to work to protect the environment and to insure that diverse groups of people engage in the outdoors and the policies governing them.
Queen Quet has won countless awards for being a woman of distinction, scholarship, writing, artistic presentation, activism, cultural continuation and environmental preservation.
Queen Quet’s accolades include the United States Jefferson Award for community service, the inaugural MaVynee Betsch Conservation Award and being on the National Wilderness Society’s “Wall of Heroes.” The South Carolina’s General Assembly honored Queen Quet with Resolution 1453 for the work that she has done on behalf of the state and Gullah/Geechee people locally, nationally, and internationally. Georgia Environmental Educators presented her with the “Non-Traditional Environmental Educators Award” and the American Society of Adaptation Professionals presented her with the Regional Adaptation Leadership Award. In 2021, Governor Henry McMaster presented Queen Quet with the Order of the Palmetto which is highest honor given to a citizen in South Carolina.
Queen Quet was selected, elected, and enstooled by her people to be the first Queen Mother, “head pun de bodee,” and official spokesperson for the Gullah/Geechee Nation. As a result, she is respectfully referred to as “Queen Quet, Chieftess and Head-of-State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation.”