The KWEENS became official in Jan 2020 and is an all female led social club. The club was founded by Shaegypt (Shay) Canion, the current club President
After retiring in 2018, she felt that an element of the Friday night happy hour and kickoff to the weekend was missing something. Shay was in the military for over 20 years and had experienced her fair share of enlisted clubs, NCO clubs, VFWs and American Legion Posts. She knows that having a sense of community and camaraderie when you’re away from your family can really lift your spirits. Being able to relax and have good clean fun with your friends/associates after a long week is food for soul.
With the consistent gathering of female spades enthusiasts, the idea of the KWEENS of Spades Card and Social club was born. The mission of the club is Keeping Women Enriched, Engaged, Networked & Supported by offering educational and motivational conferences/workshops, networking opportunities and community outreach. We are more than just a group of card players, we are a SISTERHOOD.
Meet the KWEENS
KWEEN Shay (@msmayo97) a native of Eastern N.C. who now resides on the Gulf Coast. She is a recent Air Force retiree with 21 yrs of active duty service. Shay is not only the #1 social butterfly in the area she is also the President and founder the KWEENS of Spades Card & Social Club. She loves spades, bid whist, dominoes and most of all meeting new people!
KWEEN Yvonne (@ydelrio73 ) Yvonne Del Rio is from Chesapeake, VA.and she is a happily divorced mother of 3. She is also USAF Veteran and is currently an Insurance agent with 16yrs of experience. Yvonne has been a Mississippian for 18yrs but she has loving life on the coast for 2yrs. She truly loves her family and friends that she’s made here on the Coast! Once a coast(East) girl always a coast girl(Gulf). Yvonne is a true Scorpio, she reps her sign with pride!
KWEEN Punch (yes. Punch is her real name) is our club Secretary. Punch Kollins is a native of Mississippi. Her career spans across a wide array of professional experiences; serving 21 years in the United States Army Military Police Corps; a Realtor servicing the Columbia, South Carolina area as a REALTOR®; and now as a Realtor® with Southern Sands Realty in Long Beach, MS. She is a problem solver by nature; an organizer by default; and a stick-to-it till it’s done mentality by trial and error.
When Punch isn’t out and about selling houses, you can find her giving lessons in Bid Whist, Chicago style stepping on the dance floor or doing one of her many at home projects!
KWEEN Helen. Helen was born and raised in New England. She is a proud mother of 4 grown children. Helen is a Semi retired health care professional and she’s been in MS for 2 years. She says she’s blessed to be here on the Gulf Coast where she loves the weather and the people.
KWEEN Marti is a proud mother of 1 and grandmother of 3. Although she’s from Atlanta, Marti has called the Gulf Coast home for the past 6 years. Marti has a long standing career in healthcare and massage therapy. She says she’s “loving life and all of it’s adventures”! Her favorite quote is “I ain’t a killa but don’t test me”.
KWEEN Sheila was born and raised in Houston Texas but is now a Floridian. She is currently Active Duty Navy and will be retiring this October after 25 years of faithful service. Sheila is married and is a proud mother of five. She loves to watch movies and shop but playing spades, and socializing with good people is what’s its all about!! Sheila is a fun but straight forward person and believes that when you shoot for the moon you land amongst the stars! Her motto is “So the question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me?!”