In recognition of her contribution to New Orleans and beyond through FestiGals and the French Quarter Festival, the Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc has named Sandra Dartus to portray Queen Yolande in its 2016 parade.  Queen Sandra has invited you to be part of her special day, and her messenger awaits your reply.   Members of the Queen’s Entourage will need to provide their own costume appropriate for medieval nobility.  Queen Sandra will have throws for you. Lineup is at 6 p.m. sharp.

Nicknamed the “queen of four kingdoms,” Yolande of Aragon was a behind-the-scenes political powerhouse in her day. As duchess of Anjou and Provence, France, and mother-in-law to King Charles VII, she was one of Charles most trusted political advisors.  Under her advice, Charles granted an audience to the young peasant teen Joan of Arc, listened to her, and gave her command of his armies — armies funded by Yolande. The Krewe de Jeanne d’Arc awards the role of Yolande to a female community leader who embodies Yolande’s behind-the-scenes networking and business savvy and her mentorship of other women.