The Leading Ladies of Mobile Mardi Gras 2025

Celebrate eight of Mardi Gras’ lovely leading ladies and queens, poised to represent our fair city with frivolity.


Photos by Matthew Coughlin //Shot on location at Cotton Hall

Balls and parties. Gowns and toasts. It all seems fun and frivolous — and maybe it is — but the tradition of celebrating a young woman’s transition into adulthood is a rite of passage that has reigned supreme in some societies for centuries. Historians date it all back to 18th-century England, and it has been the fashion in the Bay area since not long after. While the pomp and circumstance surrounding today’s queens and leading ladies is inspired by that of old, today’s tableaus are all costumes, winks and silliness. And yet, the ritual is still a celebration of family, community, charitable work and achievement. It still introduces young ladies to new people and gives us all someone special to toast when the second line marches and the parade begins to roll. This invitation-only experience honors both the lady and her parents, and signals the start of celebratory events on the social calendar! Here MB tracks down eight lovely local ladies and finds out what they will lead and why it means so much.


Kierstyn Nicole Johnson

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Demetrius (Anitra) Henderson 
Queen of the 78th Presentation of the Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association


Christian Hunter Lyons

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Hunter Lyons Jr.
Queen of the Mobile Carnival Association
Leading Lady of the 138th S.C.S. Ball


Sadie Davis Ladd

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Banks Christian Ladd
Leading Lady of the Strikers Independent Society 182nd Ball 
Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen of the Mobile Carnival Association

- Sponsors -

Marie Everett Robinson

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Luckett Robinson II
Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen of the Mobile Carnival Association


Lily Anna Joyce

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Nolen Potts and Mr. James Sample Joyce 
Leading Lady of the Order of Myths 158th Anniversary Celebration
Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen of the Mobile Carnival Association
Leading Lady of the Athelstan Club 151st Domino Ball


Kathryn Reins Marston

Daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Charles Augustus Marston IV 
Leading Lady of the 157th anniversary of the Infant Mystics 


Ava Caroline Enfinger

Daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Carl G. Enfinger Jr. 
Queen of the 76th Mystics of Time Ball


Julia Palmer Waechter

Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carroll William Waechter III 
Leading Lady of the 137th Order of Dragons Ball


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