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Thursday, July 5, 2007

Wilson Honors Women Who Help Others

By Laura Nesbitt
Mountain View Telegraph
    Many women never receive the recognition they deserve for their numerous contributions to their communities.
    "Every day women in our community change America and do it without recognition," U.S. Rep. Heather Wilson said in a recent news release about Women's History Month, held in March. "This is our chance to shine a spotlight on them and to say thank you."
    This year's theme for the Women's History Month award was "Generations of Women in History."
    Michaela Allen, manager and partner of El Comedor de Anayas restaurant in Moriarty, received the award along with flowers, cake and a card at a Moriarty Chamber of Commerce luncheon.
    "I like my community. I like Moriarty. I've lived here all my life and raised my kids here," Allen said.
    Allen's community service includes serving as a board member of the Moriarty chamber and also volunteering on many different chamber committees. Allen has also been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, serving as president and vice president, and is president of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Council. She has worked with New Mexico Girls State for about seven years, and has also collected supplies for troops overseas along with soldiers at the Veterans Hospital in Albuquerque at Christmas.
    As an artist, she works in ceramics, painting, sewing, quilting and has her own embroidery business, Michaela Allen Crafts. She taught first and second grade, along with music classes, for Moriarty public schools for 15 years.
    An important memory from her years of volunteering is Girls State, Allen said, where girls set up and operate mock city, county and state governments that parallel New Mexico's own government. They run for office and make laws.
    "When I see these girls go, some of them are really shy. They come back a completely different person. They're outspoken and can talk in front of a group," Allen said.
    In particular she remembers her daughter's experience with the group.
    "She got up and spoke off the cuff," Allen said. "Watching her brought tears to my eyes. It really brings them out of their shell."
    Allen said she believes it's an honor to be recognized by the community and is happy that Wilson takes the time to acknowledge community service.
    Bernardine Dial of Estancia also received Wilson's award. Dial serves as assistant treasurer and board member of the First Baptist Church in Estancia. She was treasurer of the Estancia Valley Baptist Association for 10 years and served as Torrance County treasurer for two terms.
    Dial is also a retired school bus contract driver and chairwoman of the advisory council of Esperanza Medical Center in Estancia.