We are so fortunate to have so many members of our community who have given their blood, sweat and tears to lift this community up and provide us with legacies that enrich our lives so tremendously. This year, the Evergreen Chamber of Commerce was honored to induct two stalwarts of our community into the Mountain Area Women in Business Hall of Fame, and to recognize another equally amazing woman with the “Women on the Rise” award.
Ginny Ades is a founding board member of the Evergreen Sustainability Alliance and has worked with a variety of nonprofit organizations in the Evergreen area to promote the missions of conservation, energy efficiency and healthy communities. Ginny was executive director for the Mountain Area Land Trust from 2000-2004 and was one of the state’s first female energy auditors and formed her business, Step Ahead Energy Efficiency Consulting, in 2009. She joined The EML Group in 2012 to help home and building owners create sustainable environments that are economical and respectful of our natural resources. She is now retired but is still interested in learning how to live more sustainably, and is working as a volunteer to reach and teach others in the community about sustainable lifestyles.
If you have adopted a pet from Evergreen Animal Protective League, then you owe a debt of gratitude to Jackie Bell. EAPL was organized in April, 1981 to aid lost, abandoned and suffering animals through rescue, shelter and education. Since that time, the League has provided a better life for thousands of cats, dogs and other pets. Jackie became EAPL president in 1983 and has been president for the past 40 years! In those 40 years, the best estimate is that EAPL has rescued, on average, 500 animals a year, which means that Jackie and her volunteers have saved nearly 20,000 animals. Jackie has gone to classrooms, scout troops, summer bible camps and other events, year after year, tirelessly spreading the word about rescuing animals and good health pet care.
Valli Crockett is the owner and principal broker for Bergen Peak Realty and is the awardee of the Women on the Rise honor. She is a connector and champion for local issues. Currently, she is the board president for the Mountain Metro Association of Realtors and actively participates with all nine of MMAR’s committees. She supports local youth sports, Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice, the Evergreen Rodeo, Evergreen Legacy Fund, and the Evergreen Downtown Business Association. Valli has been a member of the Evergreen Elks Lodge for 15 years. She served as the Lodge Esquire from 2015-2018, was named Elk of the Year 2016, and Queen of the Charity Ball 2019. Valli actively volunteers for events such as: Evergreen Jazz Festival, Father’s Day Rodeo Parade BBQ, Little Britches Rodeo, Hoop Shoot, Community Easter Egg Hunt, Santa Party, and is the Chair of the Dictionary.org project for mountain area third-graders and the Americanism Essay Contest for fifth- through eighth-graders.
