Kathleen Hebert: The Courage To Be a Radical Queen

Here She Is · Jan 21, 2026 · 26m

Kathleen Hebert was crowned Miss Vermont 1972—but her pageant story wasn’t the typical fairytale. After placing first runner-up the year before, Kathleen returned determined to stop performing for approval and start living in truth. What happened next earned her national attention as what she calls “the first radical queen.”In this episode, Kathleen shares how refusing to be scripted changed everything—from her Miss America experience, to life as a working singer, house cleaner, artist, teacher, and author. She opens up about surviving profound childhood trauma, finding healing through…