Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Who is the Woman of the Year?

Cast your vote for the most worthy winner from these 5 special ladies


By JENNIFER TUOHY
Express Staff Writer

One thing is clear—a lot of incredible women live in this valley. Over 250 citizens of Blaine County nominated their woman of the year, resulting in more than 60 women being singled out for the first annual Idaho Mountain Express Woman of the Year award.

The award recognizes one local woman who has made the biggest difference to the Wood River Valley over the past 12 months. The basis of the award is simple: a woman who has made Blaine County a better place, through her actions, contributions and positive outlook on life.

From birthing babies, educating children and caring for the elderly to teaching women to be stronger than they thought possible and ensuring bright young girls go to college, the top five nominees are truly exceptional women. In alphabetical order, the women with the most nominations are: Kimberly Coonis, Julie Slocum Dahlgren, Carol Harlig, Larsen Peterson and Muffy Ritz.

These five women will now be put up for a public vote to select the 2010 Idaho Mountain Express Woman of the Year award recipient. The winner will be announced on March 24 in the Idaho Mountain Express' new Valley Woman special section.

To select your Woman of the Year, read these short profiles of the five nominees, turn the page to find out why these women were nominated, then go to www.mtexpress.com/womanoftheyear to cast your vote. The deadline for voting is Thursday, Feb. 25.


Kimberly Coonis

Age: 48

Current job/role: Executive director, Blaine County Senior Center

Length of time in role: Seven and a half years with the senior center, two years as executive director

Length of time in the Valley: 13 years.

Organizations involved in:

"In June 2009, my son, Zac Gilstrap (26, a Wood River High graduate) became ill. He has Marburg's Variant disease—the rarest form of MS, which is extremely aggressive and usually takes its victims within two to four weeks. He was comatose in September, and is a quadriplegic, but he is making amazing progress. He's coming back piece by piece. My work is my passion. I love what I do and now I have my second passion, which is that I go home and I work with my son."


Julie Slocum Dahlgren

Age: 64

Current job/role: Chair of the Blaine County School District board of trustees

Length of time in role: Six and a half years, trustee since September 2003, chair since July 2009, vice-chair for two years previous

Length of time in the valley: 22 years.

Organizations involved in:

· A veteran teacher of 32 years, Dahlgren taught at Wood River Middle School for 14 years. She retired five years ago.

· An active spokeswoman for Nordic events in the valley: "I try to do as much as I can for Nordic races—as many athletic events that I can volunteer for."

· A voice for students: "I am a great believer in the Blaine County Education Foundation and the Environmental Resource Center. Anything that has to do with kids I try to get involved in."

· Doctoral candidate at Boise State University: "I am trying to get my Ed.D., educational equivalent of a Ph.D. I have always wanted to go a far as I could learning about education and I felt that when I retired I would have the time to devote to it. It has still taken me five years—I may get it this year."


Carol Harlig

Age: 66 "As a two-time breast cancer survivor, every birthday is a gift."

Current job/role: Founder of the Wood River Woman's Scholarship.

"The biggest thing I have been involved in over the last four years is the Wood River Woman's Scholarship fund. Through this we have helped Jozey Mitcham, whose mother died when she was 2, to go to Boise State University." To date, the fund has raised over $31,000 for Mitcham's degree in applied math and mechanical engineering, with a minor in physics.

Length of time in role: four years

Length of time in the valley: 32 years

Organizations active in:

· St Luke's Foundation, board member for five years

· St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center, volunteer

· Expedition Inspiration, board member

· Community Library, Tour of Homes volunteer

· The Advocates, volunteer

· Recently auditioned for Company of Fools community theater: "It was on my bucket list!"


Larsen Peterson

Age: 47

Current job/role: Doula and coordinator of child birth education at St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center.

"A birth doula draws on her expertise, knowledge and education to help parents make informed decisions and provide reassurance and perspective during labor." Peterson has delivered 426 babies in her career, including more than 300 "5B babies."

Length of time in role: Doula—20 years; St. Luke's—11 years.

Length of time in the valley: 47 years. "I was born at Moritz Hospital and have always called Blaine County my home."

Organizations involved in:

· Mother of three

· Avid skier

· Martial artist


Muffy Ritz

Age: 52

Current job/role: Founder and CEO of VAMPS Program (Vimen and Muffy's Programs).

"VAMPS focuses on Nordic skiing, teaching all levels of women how to ski. It's a camaraderie of women. Women like to be together in groups—they feel more supported, they feel happier and they can say and do anything they want—no one's judging them."

Length of time in role: 13 years

Length of time in the valley: 20 years

Organizations involved in:

· Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation, board member (coach from 1990-2000)

· Professional Nordic skier

· Works at the Elephant's Perch in the summer.

· Hulen Meadows Homeowners Association, board member

· Blaine County Recreation District, board member

· Galena and the Trails Advisory Council

· Environmental Resource Center, previous board member

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Why they were nominated

The five exceptional Woman of the Year nominees were nominated by the people of Blaine County. Here are some extracts from the glowing recommendations the women received from their nominators. To read more, visit www.mtexpress.com/womanoftheyear.

Kimberly Coonis

"Kim Coonis is an amazing leader. She has had an extraordinary year and although she has faced personal tragedy, she continues to fight hard to make a better place for seniors to depend on. Everyone loves Kim and the strength and joy she brings to so many."
--Kari Caruso

"Kim is tireless in providing help and direction for seniors. She accompanied me to the hospital when my mother had a stroke and stayed until she was sure everything was under control. She does all these things for others while managing her son's care. She's an angel."
--Janette Knight

"Kim embodies everything a human should be. Kim is one of the strongest people I know. When all could not get any bleaker, I look at Kim and she is smiling and giving me a big hug. She is a beautiful soul who is so humble about all the love she gives to others and making each of us feel special."
--Connie and Jack Koonce


Julie Slocum Dahlgren

"Julie Dahlgren has spent much of her life dedicated to education and changed the lives of her students and her colleagues while in the classroom. I continue to look up to her as she takes on each new endeavor with passion and curiosity. I have felt honored knowing Julie as a friend and colleague."
—Sara Shafer

"I am a teacher who truly appreciates Julie's enthusiasm and support in what I do. She promotes creativity, depth and critical thinking by applauding and encouraging these attributes in the teachers of our district."
--Michel Sewell

"Julie has dedicated herself to making the valley a better place to play and live. She is a retired teacher and could be enjoying the sun in Hawaii, but works tirelessly for the Blaine County School District to better students in all grade levels. She has also created the best pre-school and kindergarten program our state has to offer. She does all this while working towards her Ed.D.!"
--Joel Zellers


Carol Harlig

"Far beyond the known and obvious contributions Carol Harlig has made this past year is the positive impact she has had on the life of countless women in need of information and support when diagnosed with breast cancer. As a two-time survivor herself, the way she has faced her own difficulties and continued to conduct her life with such dedication and zest has given hope to anyone in pain and despair and been an inspiration to all who know her."
--Connie Grabow

"Simply put, she gives of herself constantly and always with a smile."
--Trish Wilson

"Carol Harlig isn't a high-powered business leader—she just makes it her business to help other women financially and emotionally. She isn't an Olympic athlete—she just leaps to the assistance of other women and runs to their sides in their time of physical or emotional need. She isn't a medical professional—she just counsels women with cancer and other diseases. She isn't the chairperson of the hospital or the library—she just volunteers for those organizations."
--Len Harlig

"Carol Harlig is the most amazing woman I have ever met. Over four years she has raised $31,000 for my college funds. She has overcome breast cancer twice! Carol speaks to women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to give them motivation and inspiration. Carol is unstoppable in her good deeds and deserves this award more that any woman I know."
--Jozey Mitcham


Larsen Peterson

"She is so positive and supportive of everyone that she comes into contact with, and has touched almost everyone's lives in some way, leaving everyone all the better for it."
--Kara Ambrose

"Larsen's positive energy is infectious. Whether she is cheering on her daughter's hockey team, assisting with a childbirth or greeting you on the street, you know your day will be brighter as a result of an encounter with her!"
--Becky Stokes

"Larsen helps so many people around the valley, especially women, as she works as a doula to assist women in childbirth. She also teaches classes for childbirth education, family issues, newborn education, etc. A mother of three herself, Larsen is one of the most supportive and loving mothers I have ever met. Her children are the most important thing in her life and it shows. Larsen offers all positive words of encouragement when needed and is a generous soul. She brings a ray of sunshine to all those whose lives she touches. Larsen is the perfect 'Woman of the Year' for the Wood River Valley!"
--Tristan Ellison Gralenski

"Not only does she succeed at her job, but also as a mom and a friend. Without her constant support, I don't know where I would be. Even though I am not her child, I know that she is just a phone call away if ever needed. Also, she has never missed a ski race, soccer game, hockey game, ballet or any other event her children have been a part of. All in all I love Larsen and no one deserves it more!"
--Devan Ellison Annan


Muffy Ritz

"Deepak Chopra says, 'Everyone has a purpose in life, a unique gift or special talent to give to others.' Muffy has touched so many lives with her talents and service to others, helping them reach their goals."
--Shauna Thoreson

"Muffy has changed many women's lives. I am one of those women. At almost 65 years old, I have been inspired by Muffy to believe that I can improve myself as I age no matter what my physical condition. I will be forever grateful to Muffy for getting me to believe in myself and making it happen."
--Sandra Willingham

"I can't even tell you all the great things Muffy has done but I have seen women who had no self-esteem develop into strong women both mentally and physically."
—Brenda Spackman

"Muffy's creation of VAMPS has given the women an opportunity to better their lives through Nordic skiing. Muffy single-handedly has put together a world-class program. Her encouragement, generosity and support are never ending. Muffy is inspiration at its best!"
--Ann Scales

"She represents all that is great and good about Ketchum, including a deep sense of community, a love for the out-of-doors, a willingness to work hard to achieve stated goals, and a true understanding of the power of fun."
--Colleen Daly

"She encourages women to not fall behind the scenes but to live their true potential."
--Jennifer Zuniga

"Anything is possible when you are with Muffy! She challenges us to be the best we can be, not only through her words but by in the way she lives her own life."
--Lynn Chaldu

www.mtexpress.com/womanoftheyear




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