List of Veiled Prophet Belles and Queens facts for kids
The Veiled Prophet Ball in St. Louis, Missouri, is a special event that has been held for many years. A big part of this tradition is honoring young women as either a "belle" or a "queen." These young women are chosen for their grace and charm, becoming a central part of the ball's festivities.
Contents
How it Started
The tradition of honoring a young woman began at the very first Veiled Prophet Ball in 1878. That year, a 16-year-old named Suzanne (Susie) Slayback was chosen. She was picked by the first Veiled Prophet, John G. Priest, to be the "belle" of the ball. In the early days, the Prophet would choose a girl to be his partner for the first dance.
The first young woman to be officially crowned "queen" was Hester Bates Laughlin in 1894. She wore a special headpiece that was said to look like one worn by Queen Victoria. This crowning ceremony added even more importance to the role.
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Honored Young Women
Over the years, many young women have been honored at the Veiled Prophet Ball. They are chosen for their connection to the community and their families' history with the event.
The Belles (1878–1893)
The "belle" was the first type of honoree. This tradition lasted for several years before the "queen" title was introduced.
- 1878 Susie Slayback
- 1885 Virginia Joy
- 1886 Louise (Lulu) Scott
- 1887 No honoree (due to a visit from President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland)
- 1888 Louise Galennie
- 1889 Miss Wain (from Cleveland)
- 1890 Katherine (Kate) Hill
- 1891 July Thompson
- 1892 Ellen Sturges
- 1893 Florence Lucas
The Queens (1894–Present)
Starting in 1894, the honored young woman was given the title of "queen." This became the main way to recognize a special young woman at the ball.
Early Queens (1894–1900)
- 1894 Hester Bates Laughlin
- 1895 Bessie Kingsland
- 1896 Mary Louise McCreery
- 1897 Jane Dorothy Fordyce
- 1898 Marie Theresa Scanlan
- 1899 Ellen H. Walsh
- 1900 Susan Larkin Thomson
Queens Through the Years
Many more young women have been crowned queen since 1901. The ball was not held during World War I (1917–1918) and World War II (1942–1945). Each queen represents a new generation of St. Louis history and tradition. A well-known queen from more recent times is Ellie Kemper, who was crowned in 1999. She later became a famous actress.
See also
- List of Veiled Prophet Parade themes
Images for kids
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Some Veiled Prophet Queens, St. Louis Republic, September 23, 1900. They are, clockwise, from top left, Hester Laughlin, 1894; Jane Dorothy Fordyce, 1897; Marie Theresa Scanlan, 1898; Ellen Humphries Walsh, 1899; Mary Louise McCreery, 1896; and Bessie Kingsland, 1895. The woman in the center was not identified.
