Meet Excelsior's Triumphant Women!

	Victoria Aguilar: General Counsel & Vice President of Human Resources, American Civil Constructors. Despite living with physical abuse from a violent father, Victoria succeeded with scholarships as the first woman in her family to attend college, let alone law school, at two of the Country's finest academic institutions (Boston College and U. of Michigan Law School). She now holds an Executive Team leadership position at a quarter of a billion dollar company where routinely "I'm the only woman and almost certainly the only minority present."
	Lannie Garrett: Entertainer. Lannie's natural ability to connect with her audience, her comedic instincts and her stage presence make her in demand as a singer/entertainer in clubs and for corporate events all over the nation. Two years ago she opened her own nightclub beneath the historic D&F tower, Lannie's Clocktower Cabaret. Lannie left home at 16 and lived with different friends to get away from the family violence in her own home. "Both my parents were deep into alcohol addiction and we lived on junk food, hostess cupcakes and tv dinners. I ALWAYS wanted to be an entertainer. It took me decades of work to turn my sadness and depression around but I did it. I think HAPPINESS is a goal, not something that just happens to you."
	Denise Stephenson-Hawk: Associate Director, National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) since January 2007. A physical scientist, her goal at NCAR is to link research, policy and education. She has had leadership posts in academia and industry. She grew up poor in rural North Carolina, attended segregated schools through the 9th grade and dropped out of high school prior to graduation. Despite this, she later graduated from Spellman College, received her Masters Degree from George Washington University and was the 1st African American and the 2nd woman to earn a doctorate in geophysical fluid dynamics at Princeton University. She continues to excite students with her ideas. "I strongly believe women and minority students can excel in math and science."
	Christine Soto: Consultant to the Philanthropic Community. Her 35-year career in the not-for-profit world has included being an executive director, volunteer manager, and board member on numerous boards of directors. Christine was Vice President of Programs at The Denver Foundation for 9 years. She's been honored as the Outstanding Professional in Philanthropy in Colorado (1995); Woman of Distinction, Girl Scouts- Mile High Council (2002) and the Face of Success in NPO Administration Award from the Metropolitan State College Alumni Association (2004). With family roots in Puerto Rico, Christine married young and experienced an unhappy and volatile marriage. As a single mother employed full-time in the nonprofit sector, it took her 10 years to complete a college degree, attending part-time in the evenings. "Treat others as you wish to be treated. It's one of the truest things I know."
	Glory Weisberg: Society Editor, The Villager Newspaper. According to medical experts, Glory's lungs were scarred by repeated bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis and has suffered with asthma all her life. While a patient at National Jewish Hospital, she received a 4-year scholarship to the University of Denver. "I tailored my career ambitions to fit my physical needs so I could work at my personal passion, writing." She has suffered with osteoporosis for the past 15 years but works out 90 minutes daily and revised her diet. She has championed clean air causes throughout her journey and covers hundreds of society events annually in her well read weekly newspaper column "GloryUs Goings On" and other articles. "To the Excelsior girls: I suggest you seek a future that focuses on your unique talent and spiritual needs and reach "ever upward' for a career that makes you proud. You go, girls!"

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