History awards ceremony last Sunday. Sahirah is majoring in criminal
justice. Women Making History is celebrating their 40th year locally.
KINGMAN – In observation of National Women’s History Month, Kingman Women Making History on Sunday, March 3rd honored eleven local women for outstanding accomplishments in various categories. The theme for 2024 was Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion.
Award recipients are: Arts – Ann King nominated by D’arcy Wagner; Business – Kimberly Chapman McGee nominated by Karly Heisleman; Education – Shelley Stanley nominated by Marty Adams; Health/Medical Professions – Merissa Wood nominated by Lacie Robbins (last year’s Lifetime Achievement honoree); Life time Achievement – Sandy Moon nominated by Cherie Bourlier and Susan Williams; Other: Inspirational “She Strong Organizer” – Brandy Ramirez nominated by Kathy Hopper; Pioneering – Pam Wanner nominated by Becky Foster and Betsy Parker; Professions – Krystal Rivero nominated by Paul Amann; Public Service – Amber Freed nominated by Joel Freed; and Religion – Karen Thompson nominated by Betsy Parker and Claire Crumm; Volunteerism – Veronica Gutierrez nominated by Shay Olivarria.
There were three $1,000 scholarships given to students Alicia Munoz – Nursing; Martha Aguilar – Professor of Science, Chemistry and Mathematics; and Sahirah Fensterbush – Criminal Justice.
Entertainment was provided by the Hualapai Bird Dancers from Peach Springs, Ernestine Claw and Millie Grover. Claw was a former Women Making History Honoree in 2022. Claw stated that the tribe was recognized in 1883 and that “Hual” in Hualapai means pine trees and “pai” means people. Further she stated that the tribe has almost a million acres of land; additionally, the tribe owns half the water rights on 108 acres. She said they hopefully will obtain rights to more water at Grand Canyon West located near Meadview.
Ann King – Arts
King has been an art instructor at Mohave Community College since 2010. Her thesis project on Route 66 for her Master’s degree led her to Kingman. “During the project I went on a road trip and I came through Kingman,” she said. “I met some really nice people here and I was really impressed with Arizona and the area so I moved here”. King founded the Art Club to sponsor and showcase her student’s work at least twice a year at various Kingman venues. She has pop up shows at a variety of locations for public viewing of student art. Her nominator, D’arcy Wagner wrote, “Ann has continued pursuing her own artistic interest in historic Route 66 which has raised awareness and contributed greatly to the preservation of a distinctly American way of life that is quickly disappearing.”
“I absolutely love what I do,” King stated.
Kimberly Chapman McGee – Business
McGee is the owner of Stockton Hill Feed which the only locally owned feed store in Kingman. She has owned the business for a decade. McGee regularly supports local businesses and events as well as youth rodeo and 4-H. Her nominator wrote, “Raising two incredible young ladies while successfully managing a business, is a testament to her character and dedication. She doesn’t just run a feed store, she runs a community store that reflects the values of family, compassion, faith and support. She exemplifies the qualities we should celebrate – resilience, community engagement and a genuine desire to make a positive impact.”
McGee said she was a school for 15 years before she bought her business. “When I did get the business, I was so shocked and I made a comment to God that I would use it for good and I would keep what I needed…and I would give the rest back and so that is what I did.”
Shelley Stanley – Education
Stanley is a Kingman native and is the oldest of six children. Her nominator, Marty Adams, wrote that Stanley has always wanted to be a teacher. “Teaching has been in her blood for several generations and she has taught for 36 years,” wrote Adams. “She is a Kingman girl who has given her heart to her community and its children.”
Stanley stated she is deeply honored to receive the award and that she takes great honor in knowing that she is a product of Kingman school I have been teaching students at Hualapai since 1988 and every day my classroom is filled with joy and passion.” She further stated, “As we gather to celebrate Women’s History Month, let us remembers…the women who stand beside us and behind us who at times are not recognized and might go unnoticed that they are no less significant.”
Merissa Wood – Health/Professions
Wood is currently a registered nurse in the Obstetrics Unit at Kingman Regional Medical Center and is a recipient of the prestigious Daisy Award, a national recognition for registered nurses who exemplify extraordinary compassion, courage and integrity.
Her nominator, Lacie Robbins, wrote, “Merissa not only brings new life into the world but also embodies the spirit of nurturing in her own life. Even with the demands of her family and education, Marissa extended her caring touch beyond the hospital walls. She managed to organize a successful fundraiser for a local boy battling Leukemia and raised an astounding $4,315 for the young fighter and his family.”
Wood stated she originally wanted to be a teacher. “I was so sure I was going to be teaching a class full of real students one day,” she remarked. “When the time came for me to make decisions on my career path, my dreams changed and I pursued nursing school.” She further stated that she would not be the nurse that she is today without the people who surround her.
Sandra Moon – Lifetime Achievement
Moon is a Kingman native and has successfully managed and operated the family Culligan Water Company for more that 5 decades. Her co-nominators, Cherie Bourlier and Susan Williams, wrote that “Sandy’s lifetime achievement is her dedicated volunteer service to building a healthy community. She has volunteered with numerous local agencies, highlighting her 39 years as a board member on the Kingman Regional Medical Center Board and 50 plus years as a member of Soroptimist International of Kingman. She has been an instrumental player in the progressive positive healthcare we have experienced toward establishing quality healthcare services for our residents.”
Moon said she joined Soroptimist the week that she moved to Kingman and, “they are special women who do so many things for this community and I am so, so proud to be part of them.”
Brandy Ramirez – Other: Inspirational “She Strong” Organizer
Ramirez, a cancer survivor, founded the She Strong organization after signing up to race a half Ironman in May, 2019. Her nominator, Kathy Hopper, wrote, “She began training in December, 2018. Upon doing so, she realized that those who have experienced this are completely different athletes than they once were, and have a different perspective over others in that community. That realization was the inspiration for She Strong.
“The organization celebrates women who have faced or are facing a cancer diagnosis, and are challenging themselves to take the next step in their fitness journey. It strives to empower women and give them nah positive environment where they can be motivated and inspire others.”
Ramirez said, “I choose to reach out to other women and let them know that you are not your diagnosis and you can be stronger than cancer.”
Pam Wanner – Pioneering
Wanner has been a successful businesswoman in Kingman for more than four decades. She is currently the CFO (Chief Financial Officer) for The Standard Newspaper, a county-wide publication that is family owned. The Wanners began with The Morning Star and Metro Press in 1983. The Morning Star was not immediately successful and they closed it after a few issues and kept Metro Press which was profitable. The Standard Newspaper was started in 1990 and has operated since that time.
Pam also has a Master’s degree in Behavioral Health and works part time at KAAP (Kingman Aid to Abused People) as a clinical coordinator. She said she finds working with domestic violence victims very rewarding and it is her passion. However, she is torn between working in behavioral health and the newspaper because she is passionate about both.
“While the newspaper will always remain my passion, I also find it rewarding to support domestic violence survivors,” she said. “I run support groups for the survivors.”
Wanner gave credit to her late father-in-law, Don Wanner, for founding and creating The Standard and thanked her best friend and business partner, Matthew Wanner, his life partner and their children.
Krystal Rivero – Professions
Rivero was an investigator for the Mohave County Public Defender’s Office for approximately 6 years before retiring medically. Prior to being an investigator, she worked as a probation officer for 10 years. Her nominator, Paul Amann, wrote “Krystal handled the investigation of the most serious felony offenses. We relied on her not solely for her skills in investigating, but also for her legal acumen and her ability to successfully select juries.”
Rivero was named the National Defense Investigator of the Year in 2022. Additionally, she adopted a child from one of her probationers who was struggling with addition in order to give the child a stable and loving home. She and her husband, David also have three other children.
“I stand before you with other women who I have had the privilege to learn from,” she said. “Without my decade of experience as a probation officer I would not be nearly as great as Paul thinks I am.”
Amber Freed – Public Service
Freed is a 43-year resident of Kingman with a brief absence to attend college. Her family has lived in Mohave County for several generations. She chose a career in probation after attending a presentation probation services as a college student. After graduation she began working with the Mohave County Probation Department as a Juvenile Probation Officer.
Freed worked her way up to Juvenile Probation Supervisor and then later to Director of Mohave County Juvenile Detention. She felt a need for change and returned to the field as a senior deputy probation officer. Her nominator, husband Joel Freed, wrote, “Though Mrs. Freed chose a challenging path and a difficult career, her work/life balance is something to be admired. Amber always has time for her family, friends and her volunteering efforts.
I am honored and humbled to be in the company of such great and influential women in our community,” said Freed. “As I look at the long list of past recipients, I am blessed to know so many of them and two stand out, my mom and my mother-in-law. Others I have been lucky enough to call not only role models but also my family and friends.”
Karen Thompson – Religion
During a year long search for a new pastor at her church, Thompson stepped up and helped by giving sermons and homilies according to her nominators, Betsy Parker and Claire Crumm. They wrote, “This was in addition to her duties of giving communion, playing the piano and directing the bell choir. She gives tirelessly to our parish of Grace Lutheran. She is on the Altar Guild which helps to prepare for worship. She is active in the women’s prayer group and is on our prayer chain. She also helps with the layette ministry which gives quilts and baby items such as blankets and sweaters to our local mothers in need.”
“I feel guilty for getting an award for something that has given me so much joy,” Thompson stated. “I think my biggest joy right now is leading worship at the Lingenfelter Center, the love of God and the people there is just incredible.”
Veronica Gutierrez – Volunteerism
Gutierrez has, for the past six years, volunteered with Golden Valley Events and is now President supervising a team of six volunteers. Her nominator wrote, “She runs the food pantry, the Fall Bazaar, annual Christmas party and provides a space for smaller groups. Every day she works to come up with ideas to improve the community. She okayed the space for the local permaculture group to create a rain garden and has hosted book exchanges for kids.”
Gutierrez said she comes from a family of volunteers and that her grandpa won an award for volunteering. “Volunteering is not for money or personal gain; it is for lending a helping hand for others,” she remarked. “It gives me great pleasure to help others but I cannot do it all without all the other volunteers or the support of my family.”
Becky Foster
