About Peacock > Board of Directors > MariaMaria
Peacock Productions, Inc. President and Peacock After Dark hostess Maria has been a leader in the gay community for more than 22 years. A natural born entertainer, Maria gave her first drag-style performance in 1985 at the infamous Darcelle XV Showplace. She became a member of Oregon's oldest gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender organization; The Portland Forum and was elected to serve as Ms. Gay Portland II the following year.
In 1988, she was selected by a panel of judges to serve as Ms. Gay Oregon VI. During her year as Ms. Gay Oregon, The Portland Forum merged with the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court (ISRC), and Maria became the first Ms. Gay Oregon to serve under the newly consolidated group.
Using her loveable personality, tenacity, talent and hard work, Maria continued to break down barriers in the largely male-dominated gay community. In 1990 she became the first woman elevated to the title of Princess of the ISRC and in October 1993, she became the first woman elected by the citizens of Portland to serve as Empress of the ISRC. To date, Rose Empress XXXVI Maria and her Rose Emperor XX Babalou are the only all female reign in Rose Court history.
Just a few short days after her crowning as Rose Empress, Maria's dear friend and the founder of Peacock in the Park and the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund; Lady Elaine Peacock died due to complications from AIDS.
At her bedside, Maria and Kimberlee were informed that it was Peacock's wish for them to assume leadership of Peacock in the Park and the Scholarship Fund.
Maria became the new hostess of Peacock in the Park in 1994, a role she carried out until its finale in 2004.
In 1999, Maria and Kimberlee incorporated Peacock Productions and Maria became President of the board of directors, a job she continues to this day. Under their leadership the Scholarship Fund has flourished and more than $160,000.00 in grants have been awarded to GLBT individuals and/or their children for post-secondary education.
Audiences resumed their love affair with Maria when Peacock Productions new signature event Peacock After Dark took flight in 2008 at the oppulent Portland Center for the Performing Arts, Newmark Theatre. Plans are currently underway for Peacock After Dark 2009 where you can catch Maria under the spotlight once more.