Kimberlee's community involvement dates
back to 1984. Just out of high school, she was introduced to the gay
community by the late Rose Empress XXVI Rosey Waters. Rosey
inspired Kimberlee to get involved and to take an active role in the gay
community. In 1990, Kimberlee ran for Board
Member at Large of the Imperial
Sovereign Rose Court. She won one of three open seats on the board and
went on to serve a total of four years (three as
president) coordinating events and chairing fund-raisers. In 1994, Kimberlee and Maria assumed responsibility for Peacock in the Park
and the Audria M. Edwards Scholarship Fund. Under their leadership, the Fund has
allocated over $138,000.00 in scholarship grants to gay, lesbian, bisexual and
trans-gender students.
In 1996, Kimberlee was elected by the community to serve as Rose Emperor
XXIII of the Imperial Sovereign Rose Court.
During her reign, the Rose Court gifted in excess of $23,000.00 to charities
in and around Portland and the Northwest. In 1999, Kimberlee and Maria incorporated Peacock in the
Park as a 501(c)3 non-profit charity corporation.
Kimberlee has proven to be a driving force in the gay community. For
over 20 years she has worked behind the scenes to produce events such as the Medieval Feast, the All Ages Show,
the Bowl-A-Thon and of course Peacock in the Park. Kimberlee is an Oregon native and has worked for the State of Oregon since 1988. She is currently single and lives in SE Portland with her cat "Panic". |
Kimberlee
Van Patten