I Dare You- To Name Your Female Role Models

So why does something seemingly so common suddenly seem so important to me? On Wednesday I was invited to an event at the Museum of the West for the opening reception for the very special exhibition, called Women of Excellence, presented by Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. I was truly honored to be invited. I’m not sure how or why my name was included on the guest list, but I was thrilled to attend. The collection is of Women from Colorado and their stories for the past at least 150 years. Currently, there are 152 women and their stories included in the collection. The Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame is soliciting nominations of more women for the next inductee presentation in 2018.

It was a pleasant evening spent enjoying the Museum of the West and its exhibits and the Women of Excellence. The women and men invited nibbled on Hors d’oeuvre and enjoyed some local Grand Valley wines. Then we were ushered into a presentation room to hear about the mission of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.

 

I was entertained and moved by stories of the women that have been inducted into the hall. One of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame’s goal is to have more women recognized in history books. The speakers Jill Tietjen and Betty Heid mentioned that studies show women appear very rarely throughout history books and they challenged the group to name as many women as they could who appeared in history books as we attended school. I could come up with one or two Betsy Ross and Sacagawea. The rest of the room didn’t have much better luck.

Which then led me to think what women did I relate to as role models as I grew up? I could name off several women that I considered role models almost instantly.  None of which would be considered famous enough for the Hall of Fame.

Here is my Heart of Fame list: 

My Mom-Doris Rutledge

My Sisters Lorraine and Kathleen (both are 16 and 13 years my senior)

Sandra Tarr- 4-H leader and Former School Teacher

Marleen Milanowski-Mom to a friend, Nurse

Becky Shea-My first female boss and VP of a local bank

Maude White-Elderly friend who pioneer in Delta County

Gilberta Lane-Neighbor and Mom to 3 dear childhood friends

Hattie Smith-Neighbor and pioneer woman in Delta County

Mrs.Karen Milne- My 4th-grade teacher who taught science 

None of these women have gone on to be uber famous or wealthy, none of them have had talk shows or held political office. 

Yet they were all the women around me that shaped me through my teen years. They are/were moms, wives, community leaders, teachers, career women, pioneers and stay at home moms. Their stories may never land them in the Women’s Hall of Fame, but each of them has become a part of me for the how they lived their day to day lives. 

Today I have dozens of friends, colleagues and my own two daughters that I look to as role models and mentors. Some are younger, some are older, some the same age as I am, but each has valuable stories to tell from the way they interact with each other and their world. 

Female role models are important and women can be one every day in unexpected ways and while we may never make the Hall of Fame. These women forever etched in my Heart of Fame. 

I Dare You today to remember and mention those women role models and include them in your Heart Fame. If possible mention to them their impact upon you, give them a hug and say Thank YOU!