Mz. Rhonda began her life as Ron Cardy in Belfast, Northern Ireland.  Ron grew up during The Troubles, but he was strengthened by his deep religious beliefs and his close family ties. 

Ron’s natural tendency to seek the comfort of others and his desire to assist helped cement his decision to seek higher education.  Through the years, Ron studies in Ireland and Canada, graduating with degrees with Hospitality and Theology.  Ron continued with his studies, including doing a Mission to Belize in Central America.

Upon his return from Belize, Ron married Marilyn, and over the next few years, they were welcomed two children to their family, Samuel and Sara.  Ron spent many years working and supporting his family, and eventually was transferred to Calgary, Alberta where he worked in the Hospitality industry and became and associate Pastor in a local church. 

Ron’s transformation to Mz. Rhonda began one Christmas Eve at a dinner function when a man assumed he was gay and sent him flowers and a note.  Ron had never really considered that he might be gay, but it stirred something inside of him immediately. Ron came out shortly after divorcing his wife, and doing so he lost all family support.

Ron survived a terrible breakup with the support of a new group of gay friends that had accepted him – the world of the Imperial Court System – the drag queens.  The local drag scene offered Ron a perfect place to allow his outgoing personality come to life in a brand new persona – Mz. Rhonda de Carousel. 

Ron then met Wayne Eberly, who saw the importance of both the drag scene and religion to Ron.  Ron and Wayne became huge proponents of the legal right for gays to marry in Canada.  They fought hard within the gay and straight world to convince the conservative people of Alberta that legal gay marriage was a good thing.  Being succesful, Ron and Wayne were among the first gay couples to marry in Alberta.

Ron is currently the Pastor of the Rainbow Community Church of Calgary (est. 2006), an affirming church where everyone is welcome, regardless of their race, colour, social status or sexual orientation.

Upon entering the drag scene over 14 years ago, Ron became a member of ISCCA  - the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch.  Ron ran for Empress in 1996, and was triumphant, becoming Empress XX of Calgary Mz. Rhonda, alongside her Emperor XX Neal Debreceni.   Following her reign, Mz. Rhonda founded Crowns for Kids - modelled after a similar charity in the Imperial Court in San Diego.  Without the support of the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch, Mz. Rhonda would not have been able to put so many smiles on so many kids’ faces over the last 13 years.  The local GLBT community of businesses have shown their support each year as Mz. Rhonda performs fund-raising and toy drive shows.

Mz. Rhonda has been the recipient of numerous awards and titles since her reign as Empress XX of Calgary.  She is most closely tied to the Courts in Edmonton and Surrey often fulfilling a role as Half Empress for those Courts.  She is also Spiritual Advisor to Nicole the Great – an honour she cherishes deeply.

The title “ULTIMA” is s special honour bestowed on individuals who have made remarkable contributions to court life. The recipients must be approved by both the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Wild Rose Social Association {EDMONTON} and the Imperial Sovereign Court of the Chinook Arch Social Association {Calgary}, and these titles are considered Lifetime titles.  Mz. Rhonda has had bestowed upon her two Ultima titles:  Her Most Gracious Ultima Calgary’s Christmas Diva and Edmonton’s Ultima Half Empress.  This strong connection that has been forged between two cities that are far more famous nationally for their rivalries has shown the two involved Courts, and all the other Canadian courts, what a truly caring and devoted person Mz. Rhonda is.

Mz. Rhonda’s future goal is to erect an AIDS Memorial in Calgary.  Already in talks with the city on location, Mz. Rhonda is confident that Calgary will someday soon have this special Memorial dedicated to all those who have succumbed to AIDS.