Pampering, pep talks help struggling Snohomish County women feel like queens

EVERETT — By Tuesday morning, Michele Howell was wearing a big smile.

The 38-year-old Everett mother of four and recovering drug addict said she felt refreshed and inspired.

“I’ve had a blast,” Howell said. “I’ll be back next year to help out.”

Queen, It’s a New Day — an event sponsored once or twice a year by Life Changes Ministry and Recovery for Life Training Center — helps women who are living in homeless and domestic violence shelters, drug and alcohol recovery centers, and transitional housing in Snohomish County.

Howell was among more than 130 women who arrived at the Everett Holiday Inn on Monday morning for two days of makeovers, encouragement, seminars and pampering.

Women of all ages and backgrounds received hair styling, massages, facials, manicures, a new job-search wardrobe and other clothing, jewelry, meals, fresh flowers, and goody bags full of skin creams and other toiletries.

The idea is to improve the self-esteem of every participant, event organizer Judy Hoff said.

More than 250 volunteers worked the event, providing royal treatment for the women.

One of the volunteers was Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Dustin Willis, who grew up in a single-parent home. His mother struggled with failed relationships and the task of rearing two children by herself.

When asked to be a uniformed escort at the Queen, It’s a New Day event, Willis jumped at the chance.

“I was thrilled to come out and help,” Willis, 31, said. “It’s good for me to do this, because my mom had some hard times, too.”

Based at Naval Station Everett, Willis grew up in Texas, and his Southern manners charmed many of the participants. He was eager to see the before-and-after photos of the women he escorted, he said.

Howell said she especially enjoyed the pampering she received at the event.

“I’ve wanted to do this for a while, and it’s so exciting to be here,” Howell said as makeup was applied to her eyes. “The people are wonderful and it’s fun for all of us.”

Involved in a drug treatment program, Howell has been clean and sober for about 17 months and now works as a telemarketer.

She enjoyed spending the night, sitting in the hotel’s hot tub, visiting with friends, and generally taking a little break from her kids, ages 2 to 11.

Each participating “queen” was paired with a volunteer “servant” to escort her through the two-day event.

The event’s workshop topics included goal setting, understanding one’s strengths, financial success, education and job searches.

In her keynote address on Monday, Rose Parker, author of “Beat Up, Beat Down and Still Standing,” encouraged the participants to start fresh in their lives.

A former battered wife and now a counselor and minister, Parker cried when she saw the women arriving at the hotel Monday morning.

“Abused women have the mindset that nobody cares,” Parker said. “The Queen event is a real boost.”

Howell agreed.

“I’ve learned to release the old life and bring in the new,” she said.

Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427, gfiege@heraldnet.com.