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Barbara Quinn
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By Earl Gray
GWINNETT -“Seventy is the new fifty.” That, according to Barbara Quinn, who can dance until the cows come home. “When people see me clog they can’t believe I’m 70. I can still kick over my head.”
In May of 2005, Quinn stood on stage at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center, anxiously awaiting word from the judges on who would be crowned the new Ms. Senior Georgia. She had been in this position before. In 2004 she finished 1st Runner-up, and repeated that feat again the following year. For the talent part of the program, Quinn had clogged her heart out to the upbeat Swedish version of “Rednex Cotton Eye Joe.” The fact that she can high kick like a young Rockette is pretty impressive, but what’s even more remarkable is that she was on stage at all.
A native of West Virginia, Quinn moved to Georgia in 1968. Ten years later when dancing – what else – at an event at Stone Mountain Park she met Robert. “Our teams were in competition against each other,” Quinn said. Her team won the dance, he won her heart.
One day, however, Quinn’s toes stopped tapping. In 1984, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “It scares the pants off of you,” she said. “It makes you feel like your days are numbered.” Quinn had a bilateral mastectomy. Bouncing back like one of those crazy super balls, just five weeks later Quinn was performing at the World’s Fair in New Orleans. “Having a positive attitude helps tremendously,” she said of her speedy recovery.
Like an ageless Astaire, Quinn danced her troubles away. At one time she belonged to five different dance groups and performed in 100-shows a year. One evening she was at the Bethesda Senior Center in Lawrenceville when she was approached by two women. The ladies had previously worn the crown of Ms. Senior Georgia, and they were recruiting contestants for the upcoming pageant. Quinn politely turned them down. Soon after, however, the band played a number that caught Quinn’s ear and she was up and clogging. The former pageant winners insisted Quinn enter the contest. It was a good match for both parties. “Most people my age want to lay down and die, and these people weren’t like that, “Quinn said. “They were energetic just like me.”
In January of 2004, tragedy struck again. In a freak accident, Quinn’s head was smashed in the rear hatch of an SUV. She suffered a stroke and a severe concussion. Again, she bounced right back. “I didn’t let that stop me,” she said. “I was determined I was going to get back to what I was doing – dancing.” And so she did.
Back to last May. On stage in Roswell, the winner of the Ms. Senior Georgia was announced. It was Barbara Quinn. The third time was the charm. “I was speechless,” Quinn said, adding “I couldn’t stop smiling for hours.”
In the last year Quinn has traversed the state, traveling hundreds of miles making appearances as Ms. Senior Georgia. Her message hits close to home. “I’m glad to be able to reach so many people about early detection of breast cancer, giving hope and showing that there is quality life after breast cancer.”
Quinn likes to tell the story of Martha Knighton, a 43-year breast cancer survivor, and a former Ms. Senior Georgia. “The doctors told her husband that Martha was going to die. He didn’t tell her, so she didn’t.”
As her reign winds down, Quinn will do what she always does – dance – and she has these words of advice for her family and friends: “If I’m in my casket and hear some music and start to wiggle my toes, you better stand me up.”
NEW QUEEN
With Barbara Quinn’s reign winding down, it’s time to get ready to crown a new Ms. Senior Georgia. This year’s event will once again be held at the Roswell Cultural Arts Center from August 10th through the 13th. Participants automatically receive membership into the Georgia Classic Club, a group “dedicated to exhibiting and promoting positive seniorhood.”
“Just because we’re over sixty doesn’t mean we’re dead,” said Rena Lill, the Publicity Director for this years ceremony. Lill is a former contestant, and was 2nd Runner-up in last year’s event.
The Ms. Senior Georgia mission statement reads as follows: We believe that today’s Senior’s are the role models of society and teachers from whom we can all learn much. We believe the knowledge, wisdom, service, and life experiences of these Senior women provides a veritable treasure chest which funds the payment for an education in this great school called life.
For more information on the Ms. Senior Georgia Pageant, go to its website at www.ms-seniorga.org, or call 770-998-7524.
Earl Gray is a freelance writer. Send suggestions and comments to etg_3@hotmail.com.
