I know what you're thinking.
No, I'm not the Queen of England.
I am the Queen of the Sumiton Walmart.
My name is Marlene Young and I'm from Dora, Alabama.
I work for Walmart as a people greeter.
That thing on my head is my tiara.
When I first started working here a co-worker made me a crown just as a joke
and wrote on it "Queen of Grocery Door."
Just so happens the manager liked it, customers liked it, and it caught on.
I have 21 tiaras and a large assortment of headbands.
I have some with rhinestones, some that looks like crowns, some with fur, poppin' eyes.
They all mean a lot to me.
It just became a part of my uniform. I don't feel dressed if I don't have it on.
I like people. I like helping people.
They're not just customers to me. They're friends.
If they're depressed or down about something, I listen to them.
If they need a hug, I give them a hug. If they need to cry, I let them cry.
They show me their pictures of their newborns
tell me the accomplishments of their children, their grandchildren, and of themselves.
It just makes me feel like I am a part of everybody I come in contact with.
When I was little, or growing up, I wanted to be glamorous.
I could never be in the beauty pageants because we couldn't afford it.
I never had a chance to go anywhere or do anything that I felt glamorous.
So I'm doing that at Walmart.
Wearing my tiaras every day to work makes me feel good.
And if it makes someone else feel better, then I've accomplished what I set out to do.
One day I went into the ladies room
and as I went in I noticed a lady and a little girl standing at the sink washing their hands.
So I went on in and was taking care of business, and I heard the little girl whisper
"Mommy, there's a princess on the potty!"
I had a real good laugh.
Quite a few people tell me, "You made my day."
It's very, very rewarding.
If I can make one person happy every day when I go to work, I have been good.
It makes me feel like a queen.
*Are you a queen?*
Yes, I am a queen.
