Well, it looks like the slime is on our face.
AroundtheO recently featured the University of Oregon’s Brandy Todd as a candidate for Eugene Slug Queen – but little did we know, the UO is blessed with two contestants for the city’s unofficial-but-oozing ambassadorship.
Allow us to introduce Gloria Slimem: Feminist icon, dancing gastropod and champion of Planned Parenthood.
“There’s something to be said for looking your best and being really silly at the same time,” Slimem said, in an interview. “I have fun with the absurd.”
Slimem is, in fact, Shannon Rose, executive assistant and constituency manager for the Alumni Association. When the curtain goes up on the annual Slug Queen competition Aug. 9, Rose – as Slimem – will put her best dance moves forward in hopes of taking the title.
The Slug Queen tradition – “slug” is an acronym for "Society for the Legitimization of the Ubiquitous Gastropod" – is a tribute to the city’s quirky and charitable personality, with a person crowned each year during a regal-and-raucous event and then enjoying a one-year “rain” during which they promote particular causes.
The university has already made its mark on the event: Debbie Williamson, public relations and marketing coordinator for the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, took the crown in 2011 as Queen Holly GoSlugly. Leigh Ann Jasheway, an adjunct instructor in the School of Journalism and Communication, was 2007 SLUG Queen Glorious Gastropause, and 2006 Queen Slugretha Latifah Uleafa Gastropodia Jackson (TK McDonald) was office manager for the UO Philosophy Department; Laura Minnick, meanwhile, was a graduate student when she became Queen Carmen Slugana in 1999.
Rose, a Chicagoan who has been in Eugene since 2010, competed last year and is back for another crack at Queen.
Spoofing the American feminist Gloria Steinem was an obvious choice for Rose, who grew up in a family of strong, career-minded women who encouraged her to “go for what I want.” She was a regular at political protests in college and worked for an organization that promotes women’s issues in formerly Soviet states before joining the UO.
“It says something that we have more women in Congress than ever before, but we still have a long way to go before there’s equality,” Rose said.
If crowned, Rose will use her new prestige to hold a benefit or other outreach for Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon, which is located on Franklin Boulevard. She would also advocate for environmental interests Oregon Wild, Cascadia Wildlands and the Mt. Pisgah Arboretum.
But first comes the competition, which starts at 6 p.m. Aug. 9 at Oak and Eighth streets, in the Park Blocks. Slimem will be decked out in pink and green, a blond wig, a feather headdress, organza cape, dress and heels.
Anything goes at a Slug Queen competition, as Rose is quick to point out. She likens it to joining a sorority – “a really sparkling sorority,” she said – where the Old Slug Queens are the final judges on who will join their ranks.
Bribery is permitted – even encouraged. To that end, Rose deliciously notes that she is sponsored by Red Wagon Creamery and the Barn Light bar.
“My bribes are ice cream and cocktails,” Rose said.
During the competition, Rose will debut “The Electric Slime,” a choreographed dance number that, with any luck, will have her supporters and the rest of the crowd grooving to the beat, as well.
“I kind of want it to be a flash mob,” Rose said, laughing. “That’s my vision, anyway – we’ll see what actually happens.”
- by Matt Cooper, UO Office of Strategic Communications