I’m so thankful to have been nominated for the Extraordinary Woman award given by the Women’s Resource Center every March. Myself and two other amazing women were chosen as the 2025 winners. My fellow winners were Elizabeth Howe, vice president of business services at La Plata Electric Association, and Dr. Heather Shotton, Fort Lewis College’s inaugural vice president of Diversity Affairs and acting Dean of Students. On March 31, FLC announced that Heather is the sole finalist for FLC president, (see Herald, March 31) Congratulations, Heather. Both women are outstanding leaders and change-makers in our community, and I was deeply honored to share the stage with them.
As part of the award celebration, I was asked to speak, and I’d like to share that speech with our broader community – both to express my gratitude, and to shine a light on the incredible young women who continue to inspire me every single day.
This is such a huge honor for me to accept this Extraordinary Woman Award.
What makes this honor so special for me is the history of The Women’s Resource Center, an organization that has seen her share of extraordinary women since 1987 – one year after I was born in the old Community Hospital here in Durango.
In 1987, the extraordinary women from the Women’s Resource Center helped 200 women. They helped them with some basic needs and gave them some very much needed love and support. From the beginning, the extraordinary women from the WRC have had the vision to be (as their website says) “advocates for the personal empowerment and economic self-sufficiency of women and girls in La Plata County.”
Today, the extraordinary women of the WRC help over 1,400 women per year. That adds up to being a lot of lives changed in the 38 years these extraordinary women have been helping this community, and we are thankful.
I also want to thank my wonderful family. You have been my rock, my support system and my greatest source of encouragement. With special appreciation to my big sister, Sarah Jacobson, who encourages me every day. Sarah is the most extraordinary big sister that I could ever imagine and was the first one to nominate me for this award.
My journey with La Plata County 4-H has been one of the greatest joys of my life. There is nothing more rewarding than watching young people grow, discover their passions and realize their full potential. 4-H is more than just a youth program – it’s a place where leadership is built, resilience is strengthened, and dreams take flight. I love getting to witness the incredible impact that young people have – not just on those of us lucky enough to work alongside them, but on our community.
Tonight, we’re here to celebrate extraordinary women. So, I want to share with you a few examples of extraordinary young women in our 4-H program right here in La Plata County.
Ellie Casias is one of those remarkable young women who saw a need in our community and took action. She came to me with a big idea – to create a program specifically for young girls in elementary and middle school, a space where they could build confidence, develop leadership skills and support one another. From that vision, the GIRL Program was born – G.I.R.L. is an acronym for Girls Inspiring Resilience and Leadership. Ellie designed a five-month program where these young ladies met every week, learning about leadership, community and communication. But most importantly, she made sure they had fun while growing into strong, capable young women. She wasn’t just dreaming of change – she was making it happen.
And then there’s Shaylynn Daniel. Just last week, she approached me with an idea that I know will make a lasting impact on our 4-H community. She wants to create a formal mentorship program that connects older 4-H members with younger ones – a way to pass down knowledge, guidance, and support. Whether it’s helping with a 4-H project, learning how to raise an animal, getting through school or simply having someone to talk to, Shaylynn’s vision is about creating a culture of encouragement and empowerment. She has already thought through the details and is taking steps to bring this program to life.
And then we have Lorelei Hassel, a young woman who has spent years mastering the art of public speaking and demonstrations. She has competed at the state level in our demonstration contests, gaining valuable experience along the way. But instead of just keeping that knowledge to herself, she decided to give back. She is now leading a workshop to teach other 4-H members how to give a proper demonstration – helping them develop the confidence and skills to succeed in public speaking. She wants others to experience the same success and growth that she has, and she’s making that possible by sharing what she’s learned.
These young women are proof of what happens when we believe in our youth – when we give them the space, the tools and the encouragement to lead they will change the world. That’s why I believe so strongly in making sure young women know they have a voice, that their ideas matter, and that they are capable of shaping their own futures.
Every time a 4-H member approaches me with a vision, I want them to know that their dreams are possible – and that I will be there to support them every step of the way. Because when we empower young people, we are shaping not just their future, but the future of our community, our country and our world. I want every young person to know: Your ideas matter. Your voice matters. And we are here to support you. Because when we lift each other up, we all rise.
Thank you again for this incredible honor and thank you for believing in the power of young people. Together, we are making a difference.
Angela Fountain is the La Plata County 4-H youth development agent. Reach her at angela.fountain@co.laplata.co.us or 382-6460.
