Marquetta L. Goodwine

Marquetta L. Goodwine has spent most of her life educating the public about the history, legacy and culture of the Gullah / Geechee people. This tireless activist, author, playwright, preservationist, lecturer and performer was enstooled as Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation in July, 2000. Queen Quet acts as a liaison between the Gullah Nation and other nations of the world, as well as media, government and educational institutions.

A descendant of two Gullah families, Queen Quet grew up on St. Helena Island and graduated in the top ten of her class. Marquetta L. Goodwine has earned degrees in mathematics and computer science from Fordham University at Lincoln Center and Columbia University, while remaining active in numerous African American socio-political activities.

In 1996, Queen Quet founded the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition. “It is a coalition of individuals, institutions and organizations dedicated to preserving Gullah history, heritage, culture, the land and our language.”

In 1999, Queen Quet was asked by the International Human Rights Association for American Minorities to speak on behalf of the Gullah/Geechee people before the United Nations’ 55th Session in Geneva, Switzerland.