She was born in the late 30's to a poor family, in a poor neighborhood of Kansas City, Kansas. Her parents divorced when she was only three, leaving her mother to raise her alone. Every day was a struggle to survive. Given her rough start in life, it’s no wonder she was quiet, withdrawn and very shy.
But
there were also some positive things happening for the young girl as she grew
up in the Fairfax neighborhood. Her mother loved her, she liked to read, and
she enjoyed music. She really loved to sing, but rarely sang in front of
anyone. That’s the way it was during those early years. Finally, two things
happened that changed her life. Her mother married a wonderful, hard-working
man and one day a woman she’d never met before came into her classroom,
asking, "Who wants to become a Camp Fire Girl?"
The little girl had dreamed of wearing a Camp Fire Girl blouse and beanie, decorated with a symbolic Camp Fire torch. She couldn’t believe it when her mother gave her permission to join.
That decision opened up a whole new world for the little 10-year-old girl. Instead of only playing with kids in her neighborhood, she met new girls, making new friends including girls of other races, different religions, and with varying personalities.
For the first time the young Camp Fire girl belonged to a group that dreamed and set goals. "We learned about patience and perseverance and working together to finish a project. Camp Fire taught us about sacrifice, togetherness and leadership. We learned how much a group can accomplish, with the right leaders." She didn’t know it at the time, but her Camp Fire experience also gave her something else -- CONFIDENCE!! The young girl began speaking up in groups, singing in front of people and trying new things, without fearing she might fail.
As a 12-year-old, she remembers using her newfound confidence to enter a talent contest in the Orchid Room, at 12th and Vine. She sang "Double Crossing Blues," and she WON! Suddenly, the little girl who was afraid to sing in front of people was singing in front of crowds and winning, week after week. It launched a successful singing career that is still going strong after 48 years.
Queen Bey has some wonderful memories singing blues and jazz all over the world. She’s entertained governors and ambassadors of foreign countries. She’s proud of the fact Prince Charles likes her music and even has one of her CDs. But Queen Bey is just as proud of her experience as a Camp Fire Girl. She starts smiling when she talks about the summer she learned to embroider and sew...how she made oatmeal boxes into canisters for her mom....and how she made new friends sitting around a summer campfire. "Camp Fire really helps prepare a young person for life. Kids come away with a sense of confidence, togetherness and respect." They were all lessons Queen Bey found useful in life, and she’s sure others will too. You really have to believe her when Queen Bey tells you, "I wouldn’t trade my Camp Fire experience for anything in the world."