Mary Lou Makepeace, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Fund for Colorado, was recently honored as one of the 2005 Women of Influence, a program launched by the Colorado Springs Business Journal in 2000 that identifies women who are leaders and role models in their fields and have improved life in their communities and El Paso County. When asked about the honor, Mary Lou responded, “It is wonderful that El Paso County has so many female leaders that are making a difference. I am thrilled to be included among the honorees”.
Through her 20 years of public service in Colorado Springs, Mary Lou has been recognized many times by many and diverse groups, including the NAACP, Girl Scouts, Springs Community Improvement Program, Partners in Housing, March of Dimes, Chinese Cultural Institute and the City of Fujiyoshida, Japan. And since she became executive director of the GLFC, it has achieved name recognition with 90 percent of Colorado’s residents. Clearly, Mary Lou deserves this latest honor.