Mary Lou Makepeace, executive director of the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado, was named Woman of the Year at the Women in Business Conference held on April 5. The conference, coordinated by the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, was held at The Broadmoor.
Approximately 500 people attended the event where Makepeace received the ATHENA Award. She was selected for her professional success and her service to the Colorado Springs community.
Among those who nominated Makepeace was Mike Kazmierski, president of the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation. In his nomination letter, he wrote, “She is a mentor to many and continues to maintain a strong leadership role in our community. I can think of no better role model for women.”
“This community’s been so good to me. We all have richer lives when we give back to the community,” said Makepeace. “I feel incredibly honored to have been selected among such a fine group of women.”
Each year, the ATHENA Award is presented to an individual for her creative business accomplishments, community service that seeks to improve the quality of life for others, and active assistance to women in reaching their full leadership potential. By recognizing exceptional individuals, the award program seeks to inspire others to achieve excellence. Since the program’s inception in 1982 more than 5000 awards have been presented in the United States, Canada, China, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom.
About the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado
The Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado was established in 1996 as a program to financially support nonprofit organizations that enhance the quality of life in Colorado and promote equality for all people. Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than $18 million to hundreds of nonprofit organizations whose program areas include arts and culture, civic leadership, healthy families, and public broadcasting. In addition to providing financial assistance, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado offers training programs, workshops, technical assistance, and public meeting space to strengthen nonprofit organizations’ ability to grow, flourish and succeed. The organization is headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. For more information please visit www.gayandlesbianfund.org.
About the Funds
Every year, the Gay & Lesbian Fund for Colorado receives a financial allocation from its parent organization, the Gill Foundation, that must be donated in the form of grants to nonprofit organizations that have an IRS 501(c)(3) status and adhere to a nondiscrimination policy inclusive of sexual orientation. These monies, which typically amount to approximately 18 to 20 percent of the Gill Foundation’s earned investments, are not used for private or political purposes, in accordance with IRS regulations.