It feels good to be appreciated — even a simple thank you goes a long way. But in a world that moves as fast as this one, it is often overlooked.
That’s why earlier this month, Boulder hosted its annual Women Who Light The Community event at the lovely Lionsgate Event Center.
For over twenty years, the Boulder Chamber has been choosing women of the community who are exemplary contributors in the business realm, in community service and in innovative expansion whether in the local Boulder community or the world.
“This event gives us the chance to celebrate outstanding women in our community and to recognize their many contributions and inspiring leadership,” Boulder Chamber CEO and President John Tayer said in a release. “They’ve earned our admiration and demonstrated the importance of women leadership to our economy and community.”
This year’s mistress of ceremonies and former award recipient, President and CEO of ProYo Jane Miller, proudly announced the five women who were given the honor of recognition, along with one high school student who has been named as an Emerging Young Leader.
This year’s honorees were as follows:
Michelle Carpenter
Teacher, BVSD Schools Adelante! Latino Program / AP Spanish
Vivian Dullien Ph.D
Dullien Associates
Melissa Hart
Professor of Law, University of Colorado Law School
LaVern Johnson
Lyons Historical Society\Lyons Redstone Museum – Town Trustee
Red Rock Ramblers Square Dance; Reporter for Lyons Recorder;
Parks and Recreation Commission
Isabel McDevitt
Executive Director – Bridge House
Emerging Young Leader
Greta Cain
VP, Future Business Leaders of America and EFAA
Cain is a young lady to keep your eye on. As a junior in high school, she is the vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America club and has raised money to send 125 students to FBLA events in the district and the state.
She also sets up charitable events for the Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA), an outstanding nonprofit organization serving families in crisis in Boulder County (featured on the Boulder Source website for the month of June, click here), and trains other volunteers to do the same. Cain is co-president of the fashion club and works as an intern at the CU-library. As if her schedule is not packed enough, Cain also mentors incoming high school students.
Women like 88-year-old LaVern Johnson, serve as inspiration for up-and-coming leaders like Cain. Johnson has a long history as an active member of the community and a preservationist.
In maintaining Lyons’ school classrooms, she has fostered opportunities for young people, including a dance club. During the devastating floods of 2013, many credit Johnson’s tireless efforts and tremendous hard work for helping the town to rebuild.
Cain, Johnson and their counterparts were given an official honor and thank you for the hard work they do in the community, but the Women Who Light the Community benefit also serves as a reminder to appreciate the hard work of those around you and to join in the inspirational efforts of these women to better the community and the world.
Photo credit: Ryan Trupp Photography
To the Boulder Chamber and all cohorts: Thank you sincerely for this wonderful honor. It was truly an honor, one that I will have to keep going on. It was nice to meet the other ladies, all prestigious, and congratulations to Greta…she will go far.
Thank you for the honor of the “Light of the Community”! LaVern M. Johnson, Lyons, Colorado