PLANT CITY, Fla. — The Florida Strawberry Festival has opened for its 90th year in Plant City, and one of the most time-honored traditions is the Strawberry Festival Queen and her court.

During this Black History Month, Spectrum Bay News 9 highlights one woman who made history when she was selected as the first African American to be part of the court in 1973.

“It was scary, but it was yet a glorious moment,” said Essie Lewis, who was 16 at the time, describes the moment that changed not only her life, but a Florida Strawberry Festival tradition as well.

“It was just amazing. I could’ve had a parade of my own with the people calling and saying congratulations,” she said.

She won the title of First Maid — second in line to the queen.

The decision came just a few years after the Civil Rights Movement, and Lewis says it was pivotal with many rallying around her.

“'It’s about time, you, well deserve it,' 'You know, they couldn’t help but select you,'" she recalled.

She says she relives her time on stage each year when the festival comes around.

Lewis says her placement helped create a path for more girls like her to compete for the Strawberry Festival queen title too.

“Do it with the pride and the dignity, I can do it, and I will do it," she said.

To this day, the Queens Through The Decades exhibit at the festival continues to be her favorite spot as she eyes herself on the long line of photos that fill the walls.

“The confidence that it gave me that I could do it, I did it, let’s continue,” Lewis says.

So, while crowns can tarnish and banners can fade, her memories remain bright.

She still feels pride in representing her community and inspiring other young women to do the same.

You can visit the Queens Through The Decades exhibit at the Strawberry Festival grounds.