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Congratulations, Women of Impact! We are honored to support the 2026 Taoseña award honorees. Thank you for your tireless commitment to strengthening and enhancing the community. At Nusenda Credit Union, over 60% of our leadership is made up of inspirational women, like you, who lead the way for positive change and a better future for us all. On behalf of our team, thank you for your hard work and dedication. We can’t wait to see what you do next! Find branches, services, and more at nusenda.org/taos @NusendaCU |

Insured by NCUA | Equal Opportunity Lender

CONGRATULATIONS TO CARMELLA SUAZO! For over three decades, Carmella has been integral to the strength, stability, and success of Kit Carson Electric Cooperative. Her leadership, dedication and commitment to excellence have helped keep the lights on and our mission moving forward. Today, we proudly recognize her as a Woman of Impact — a title she has earned many times over.

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Welcome Letter

In gratitude for the women who light our way

hen my mom became the publisher of the Taos News at 25, one of her guiding priorities was to highlight

the best stories of our community. She believed — and still believes — that while it’s important to report on challenges, it’s equally important to celebrate the people who lift us up. The news today can feel heavy. So often it is filled with tragedy, and sometimes we avoid it simply to protect our own peace. At the Taos News, we strive to cover the realities our community faces, but we also take great care to share stories of hope, resilience and love. One of my favorite ways we do this is by honoring eight extraordinary Taoseñas each March. Through these stories, we are reminded that it is the people of this place who make it special. The light these women bring to our community is powerful enough to push back the shadows of despair. The teachers, the healers, the entrepreneurs, the leaders — they are the ones who keep us strong. There are countless more women in our community who deserve this kind of recognition. My hope is that these eight stories inspire you to reflect on the women who have lifted you up along the way — and to let them know how much they matter.

Laura Martin Baseman is the HR Director for the Taos News and the Santa Fe New Mexican and the daughter of Robin Martin, owner of the Taos News.

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Since2004, 2004,Women WomenGive GiveTaos Taoshas hasinvited invited Since womento tocollectively collectivelygive giveback backto totheir their women community.Since Sinceititbegan, began,this thisgroup grouphas has community. givenover over$200,000 $200,000to tosupport supportlocal localnonprofit nonprofit given organizationsthough thoughaaspecial specialannual annualgrant grant organizations cycle.This Thisgiving givingcircle circleisisopen opento toall allwomen. women. cycle. We’dlove loveto tohave haveyou youjoin joinus usas aswe welearn learnabout about We’d theamazing amazingnonprofit nonprofitwork workhappening happeninginin the ourcommunity, community,and andgive giveback backto tosupport supportthe the our wellbeingof oflocal localwomen, women,children, children,and andfamilies. families. wellbeing

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Women Give Taos

Creating a stronger community through collective giving Staff report

omen Give Taos is a group of purpose-driven women who believe in creating a community where everybody can thrive. Established by the Taos Community Foundation in 2004, this giving circle brings local women together to fund an annual grant that supports a nonprofit serving women, children and

families in our community. This grant is designed to meet current community needs, letting nonprofits try a new idea or pilot an innovative approach to make a meaningful difference, while remaining accessible and inclusive for all. This year, members of WGT funded a $20,000 grant, the winner of which will be announced at this year’s Taos

Woman of Impact event, hosted by the Taos News. Before sharing this year’s winner, WGT recognizes some past recipients. Each of these organizations gives so much back to the community, and the stories of these grants demonstrate how powerful giving back can be when done collectively.

2025: Lions Club of Taos Last year, WGT gave a grant to Lions Club of Taos to help operate a local Eye Van, bringing critical vision care and free eyeglasses to children across the community. Good vision is essential for learning, and many children who struggle with vision issues face delays in receiving screening and treatment. Members of WGT, seeing an opportunity to help address an equity and access issue, granted $30,000 to the Lions Club KidSight Eye Van Program, helping to fund its mobile treatment unit. Lions Club President Mary Pencin says, “[Through this project], the Lions Club of Taos has screened more than 3,000 students across 25 schools in Taos County, brought the Kids Eye Van with an eye doctor to 11 schools for free exams for 171 students, and provided free eyeglasses for 249 students. This work is possible because of the invaluable guidance and financial support from Women Give Taos and the Taos Community Foundation. We are so grateful.”

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DANIEL PEARSON/Taos News Lions Club of Taos members accept the Taos Community Foundation’s Women Give Taos grant during the Taos Woman 2025 awards banquet at El Monte Sagrado in March.

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CONGRATULATIONS, CARMELLA SUAZO! Kit Carson Propane is proud to celebrate Carmella Suazo, a true visionary and leader, for being honored with the prestigious Woman of Impact Award. Carmella’s dedication, passion, and tireless efforts have created a profound and lasting influence on our community and beyond. Her commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration to us all, demonstrating the power of purpose-driven leadership. We salute you, Carmella, for your remarkable achievements and the inspiring legacy you are building. Thank you for making a difference.

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Women Give Taos continued from page 10 2024: Taos Education Collaborative In 2024, WGT awarded its annual grant to Taos Education Collaborative to fund a program that helped connect families to navigation services and removed financial barriers to accessing after-school programs. Through this initiative, a community navigator was able to visit with local families, listen to their needs and provide funding for items such as sporting equipment and registration fees so children could participate in their favorite extracurricular activities. Without this funding, many of these children would not have been able to enjoy their favorite hobbies and after-school programs. According to former TEC executive director Elizabeth LeBlanc, “This grant [from Women Give Taos] meant the chance to expand a promising pilot program, to try new ways to serve our community closer to the root causes that create barriers to opportunity, and helped recognize and elevate people who often go unsung for their hard work behind the scenes and their impact on others’ lives. This grant also demonstrated strong, diverse, local support that then allowed us to secure additional funding — it was a true launchpad for TEC and our work.”

2023: Taos Center for the Arts In 2023, WGT awarded a grant to Taos Center for the Arts to support the TCA’s Women in Tech program. This initiative, which grew into the Inter-Arts Internship Program, offers youth and young adults paid learning opportunities in the arts and culture world. WGT’s support of Women in Tech made it possible for TCA to grow its internship program, with a focus on connecting young women in Taos to technical production, a traditionally male-dominated field. Due to the support of this grant, girls ruled the tech booth. Initially supporting a dozen students, this program now supports more than 50 youth annually, helping to

Courtesy Photos

build college and career readiness and offering transformative opportunities to young women in the community. Since the group began, WGT has awarded more than $200,000 in grants to the community, a testament to the power of women coming together to amplify and fund collective action. The group looks forward to announcing this year’s grant recipient and celebrating the strength, leadership, creativity and impact of women across the community. The spirit of warmth and camaraderie sets the circle apart. Members come from across the community into a space rooted in connection, shared learning and collective impact. Those interested in meeting new friends, learning about the place-based history and culture of Northern New Mexico in

Taos County, and helping fund innovative ideas that support families and community well-being are invited to contact Taos Community Foundation to learn more about getting involved. In the words of WGT participants: “Women Give Taos has been a terrific way to learn more about community needs and meet dynamic, thoughtful Taos women changemakers,” Connie White says. “The WGT giving circle provides an opportunity for me to be more involved in the community and honor my philanthropic goals,” an anonymous participant says. “As part of Women Give Taos, stewardship means joining with others to strengthen Taos, one act of generosity at a time,” Rose M. Reza says.

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Archuleta steps down as UNM-Taos dean by Ellen Miller-Goins

Dr. Randi Archuleta says it’s “the right moment” to shift from administration back to teaching and curriculum work.

fter nearly a quarter of a century at the University of New Mexico-Taos, Dr. Randi Archuleta is ready for a different kind of leadership — the kind that happens face-to-face in a classroom. Archuleta, UNM-Taos’ dean of instruction, told faculty and staff she will step down at the end of the 2025-26 academic year. Beginning in August 2026, she plans to return to teaching as an associate professor of psychology and to continue guiding students as chair of the Social and Behavioral Sciences Department. “It feels like the right moment to return to the classroom, the place where I first found my calling,” Archuleta wrote in an Oct. 21 message. “Though I have continued teaching online throughout my time as dean, I look forward to again standing alongside our students, guiding their learning firsthand.” A legacy of growth Over the past 14 years in Academic Affairs, Archuleta helped shape what learning looks like at the branch campus — from the courses students take to the supports that help them finish. As dean, she oversaw faculty development, curriculum design and academic operations across programs that serve learners of all ages, including dual credit, workforce training, Kids Campus and the library. Colleagues say her approach strengthened collaboration among faculty and tightened the connection between academics and advising. Archuleta also helped bring resources to campus through nine federal and regional grants, including multiple Title V initiatives, the Title III STEMx grant and the Workforce

Nathan Burton Left to Right: UNM-Taos Dean of Instruction Randi Archuleta and TECC Education and Development Manager Erin Clark congratulate HSE grad Alekz Brunson.

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Celebrating the incredible women of the Town of Taos who Celebrating the incredible of the Town of every Taos who bring heart, dedication, and women care to our community day. bring heart, dedication, and care to our community every day.

Women

are the heart and soul of our culture. Their fight for us is the beauty of our survival. They give us our backbone to strive. Today and every day we thank you. To each mother, auntie, sister, cousin, partner, friend you are the breath that gives us life. Thank you.

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continued from page 14 Integration Network (Good Jobs Challenge). The grants supported infrastructure, faculty capacity and student success efforts, according to campus communications.

From clinician to campus leader A clinical psychologist by training, Archuleta started at UNM-Taos as an adjunct instructor and moved through roles as program coordinator, department chair and associate dean before becoming dean of instruction. In her message, she thanked former chancellors Kate O’Neill and Jim Gilroy for “taking a chance on a clinical psychologist with a passion for teaching and the Taos community.” She also praised Associate Dean of Student Success Amie Chavez-Aguilar — “a longtime colleague and friend,” she wrote — and Chancellor Mary Gutierrez for mentorship and partnership. “UNM-Taos has been my professional home for over two decades, and

it always will be,” Archuleta wrote. “I remain fully committed to supporting Academic Affairs and our campus through this year’s transition.” Gutierrez said the university will begin a search for the next dean of instruction and expects a “thoughtful leadership transition” in the months ahead. “Please join me in expressing our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Archuleta for her outstanding service, dedicated leadership and unwavering devotion to the people and mission of UNM-Taos,” Gutierrez wrote.

“It feels like the right moment to return to the classroom, the place where I first found my calling.” 16

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Women

OF IMPACT N Photographs by Clementine Miller orthern New Mexico is filled with women whose impact is felt not through titles or recognition, but also through quiet dedication to their families, cultures and communities. Each year, Taos Woman honors eight such women whose service often goes unseen, yet whose work makes a lasting difference across the region. This year’s honorees were selected through a community focus group moderated by Elizabeth Crittenden Palacios. Our nominating group included previous Women of Impact and community leaders Rose Reza, Sunshine Duran, Claireen Espinoza, Mary Trujillo Mascareñas, Kaori Lopez, Dr. Kathryn Córdova and Chelsea Reidy. While unable to attend in person, Sage Yardley submitted nominations by text message. Together, the group identified women whose leadership, service and commitment rise above expectation — women who give generously of their time, talent and care. While we could not recognize every deserving nominee, we are proud to honor the eight remarkable women featured in the following pages, whose impact continues to strengthen Northern New Mexico in meaningful and enduring ways.

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By Kathy Córdova

t age 95, Enriqueta Vasquez remains living proof that age knows no barrier for accomplishing lifetime goals. Born and raised in Choctaw, Colorado, her farmer father and midwife mother taught Vasquez and her siblings lessons that shaped her life. At a time when women received little job recognition, Vasquez worked in retail circles, did legal work in an attorney’s office in Pueblo, Colo. and the U.S. Attorney’s office in Denver. She joined the GI Forum, serving in an official capacity for the Crusade for Justice during the Chicano Movement. When Vasquez moved to San Cristobal, N.M., the honoree continued her movement work and authored the column discussing Chicano Movement issues — ¡Despierten Hermanos! — for Española-based newspaper El Grito del Norte. Vasquez was born in 1930 in Cheraw, Colo., and later attended the University of New Mexico. She recalled challenging a classroom lesson in fourth grade: “I remember I raised my hand right away [and said], ‘My mother said that they stole all that land from Mexico!’” After high school, Vasquez moved to Denver and worked with the U.S. Attorney’s office in the 1950s, becoming the first Mexican American to work in the Justice Department. She later organized with the GI Forum and served as assistant director of SER (Service, Employment, and Redevelopment), helping workers find jobs and defend their rights. Vasquez’s work in the arts remains legendary. Along with Jenny Vincent and Judy Starbuck, she mentored aspiring young musicians free of charge, teaching them to play the recorder and guitar, eventually leading to performances at the Taos Fiestas. Enriqueta played the mandolin for the Aztec dancers and painted murals with fellow artists in several locales. Locally, she and Juanita Lavadie completed the mural at El Prado Liquors. The name Enriqueta Vasquez resonates loudly in the writing world. She wrote the play “Flor and the Gift of the Blue Eagle,” first performed in July 2025 at the TCA. The writer authored four books: “Viva la Raza” (with Betita Martinez, published by Doubleday, recipient of the Jane Adams Peace Award); “Enriqueta Vasquez and the 22

Chicano Movement”; “Women of La Raza”; and “Cuentos and Poetry.” She spends her time writing her fifth book, entitled “Calle.” The Center for Southwest Research at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque houses her physical archive (UNM has also based a digital field school on her work) alongside radio recordings of her dear friend Jenny Vincent for KKIT in Taos. Vasquez leads an active life completing household duties, including irrigating her orchard and chopping and hauling wood. In the kitchen, the honoree proclaims, “I cook as little as possible.” However, she prepares beans and capirotada (sopa), and bakes peanut butter cookies. For New Year’s Day, Vasquez creates an applesauce cake with “all kinds of stuff, in a bundt pan.” Favorite dessert items provided by friends include lemon pie, cheesecake and plain cookies. Enriqueta hangs her laundry on the clothesline as opposed to a clothes dryer. She still drives her car, but mostly locally. On game days, one better not phone her if the Denver Broncos are playing because the self-proclaimed Bronco fan truly enjoys cheering for her team while snacking on popcorn, noodles and Pepsi. She lives in a converted schoolhouse next to the San Cristobal Cemetery. On Memorial Day, Vasquez provides baskets of flowers for deceased community members. Life hasn’t always been so sweet. She has mourned the deaths of beloved family members of her family of origin, her husband Bill Longeaux and her son Ruben Tafoya. Eight of Longeaux’s silkscreen posters grace the walls of the San Cristobal Community Center. The living room of Enriqueta’s home includes one of his paintings of a woman with a candle, rosary and a veil. “He did [so] much work,” she says. “When he passed away, we had an art show at the community center. Then, my daughter Ramona (Tafoya, an Albuquerque jeweler) took his ashes to the mountains,” Vasquez says. Her son Ruben, buried in the San Cristobal Cemetery, attended Colorado College and served at a clinic in Tierra Amarilla for many years. He died in Albuquerque seven years ago at age 64. The Spanish phrase, “Una vida buena y sana” (very loosely translated, “A good life well lived”) applies aptly to Vasquez’s work and accomplishments.

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bout her hometown of Peñasco, lifelong resident Lauralee Martinez says, “Once you get to know people in the community, you feel the warmth and love.” Martinez, a mother of seven, an organizer of community events and the full-time community schools coordinator for Peñasco Independent School District, exudes that warmth and love. Born and raised in Peñasco, Martinez always thought she would leave town one day. However, she met her husband, Lawrence, in high school and the two agreed to make a life for themselves and their children close to family. When asked about what people get wrong about Peñasco, Martinez does not hesitate. “That we don’t work together. But it’s the complete opposite. People are protective of their community and work hard to come together.” Martinez has been instrumental in organizing, planning and executing community events in collaboration with the school district. The community celebrated the holidays with the third annual Community Light Parade, an event that includes awards for best floats, free food, haircuts, a gift and baked goods bazaar, and a gift giveaway from Santa. Martinez solicits donations from community partners (like Hogs & Heifers Motorcycle Club and the Peñasco Valley Historical Preservation Society) and works with school programs, such as the culinary arts program, to put on an event that brings together people from surrounding communities. Supporters say she organizes much of the work independently, outside a formal nonprofit structure, and relies on community partners and volunteers. One organizer estimates the event draws as many as 2,000 people, with some visitors timing trips around it. The light parade was a success under Martinez’s leadership, and it’s something she hopes will continue to grow. Martinez also organized a back-to-school car and bike show that includes vendors, free school supplies and free haircuts. While these events were initiated by Martinez on her own time, her community reach has widened in her role as the school district’s community schools coordinator. In this role, she has supported numerous programs: Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Blue Door Food Pantry, the Sipapu Ski Program and Embudo Valley Tutoring Association, to name a few. But building relationships with students, their families and the community is

what Martinez finds most meaningful about the work. “I know the kids deserve the best, and some of that is giving them a positive outlook for a bright future.” Martinez is providing bright futures for her own children as well. The Martinez family prioritizes academics but dedicates significant time to athletics, specifically running, biking, basketball, wrestling and triathlons. Even though Martinez herself qualified for the NMAA state wrestling meet and was a women’s state wrestling champion for AAU, she credits her oldest son, Jude, with the family’s commitment to athletics. When he competed and did well as a sixth grader at a cross-country meet, the lifestyle kicked in. The family found a running club in Albuquerque and started traveling “wherever the race will take us,” Martinez says. For all the kids old enough to compete, this means full-time training. There is cross-country and track and field, but in the offseason there is mountain biking, road biking and swimming. Martinez brought her love for and investment in these sports to the school district; she is currently the head cross-country and track coach and is bringing back the school’s wrestling program. Finding balance comes from having lots of family support, according to Martinez. “Everyone does their part.” Martinez also takes photography clients in Peñasco, another way she stays connected to the people and places she calls home. As for the future of the Peñasco area and surrounding communities, Martinez is optimistic. “Peñasco attracts people back to the community,” Martinez says. She hopes there would be “more opportunities so the community isn’t dwindling, where people can come back.” It’s that kind of hope that inspires Martinez’s work in the school and the community. Staying positive while doing the work is important to Martinez, but she cites the kids as the thing that keeps her going. “They’re pretty amazing,” Martinez said. “The kids and their families, they’re what makes you push past the wanting to give up.” It’s her love of people and place that keeps Martinez rooted in the community where she grew up. “Sure, in big cities you have easier access to things. But you don’t experience a small valley in Peñasco, fresh air, stars, the Jicarita ...” Martinez trails off and smiles, further evidence of her love and commitment to her hometown and its people. 27

She Can Do It. AT CLEAN TAOS, WE HONOR THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP WOMEN HAVE ALWAYS CARRIED—SHOWING UP THROUGH THE WORK ITSELF. WASHING, PRESSING, RESTORING, AND TENDING TO WHAT OTHERS TRUST US WITH. QUALITY AND RESPONSIBILITY, EVERY DAY.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WOMEN OF TAOS WHO BREAK BARRIERS AND REACH THEIR GOALS — ONE CLEAN CHOICE AT A TIME.

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Here’s to the

Taoseñas A BIG thank you to my mama, my tías & primas, my partner, and all the incredible women in my life. And, a very special thank you to Yvonne Trujillo and Page Sullivan, for taking me under your wing and your great leadership over the years. Each of you has deeply shaped my growth in business and in life.

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By Ellen Miller-Goins

armella Suazo does not seek the spotlight. In fact, she actively avoids it. Yet for more than three decades, she has been one of the most consequential women working quietly behind the scenes in Northern New Mexico — holding systems together, preserving tradition and ensuring that the everyday work of community continues without interruption. At Kit Carson Electric Cooperative, where she has worked since 1989, Suazo is often described as the “backbone” of the organization. Working closely for decades with CEO Luis Reyes, she has been a steady presence as engineers and board members have come and gone — the person who knows how the pieces fit together, remembers why policies were created, and makes sure Reyes and the management team have what they need to move the cooperative forward. “I handle all of the office,” she says simply. “I make sure the billing department has what it needs, that managers are communicating, and that when we meet, we’re ready. I try to keep the pieces together.” That understated description belies the scope of her work. Over her 36 years at Kit Carson, Suazo has helped build internal systems from the ground up, navigating leadership transitions, regulatory changes and the cooperative’s evolution into one of the most innovative rural electric utilities in the country. She has been involved in the launch of Kit Carson Propane, the addition and expansion of high-speed internet, and the cooperative’s nationally recognized renewable energy initiatives — including solar, battery storage and the emerging green hydrogen project. “It’s been challenging,” she says. “But I love it. There’s never a dull moment.” Suazo grew up in Taos, the daughter of hardworking parents who taught her the value of persistence and humility. Her mother worked long hours at the Taos Inn laundry to help put her through college, and Suazo never forgot that sacrifice. A graduate of Taos High School, she earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from New Mexico Highlands University in 1987. Suazo is determined, she says, not to leave her community behind, but to be able to support it. “My goal was always to have a good job and help my family,” she says. “We didn’t have a lot growing up, but we had enough. Hard work pays off.” That philosophy guides every part of her life, from her professional work to her deep commitment to faith, family and culture. Suazo and her husband, Joshua, live in Pilar,

where she treasures the quiet rhythm of life near the Rio Grande. “It’s peaceful,” she says. “That’s what I love most about it.” Faith is central to her sense of purpose. A lifelong Catholic, Suazo is deeply involved with San Francisco de Asís Church in Ranchos de Taos — the iconic 18th-century adobe church that stands as both a National Historic Landmark and a spiritual anchor for the region. She has served as a mayordoma and previously taught fourth-grade catechism. “Everything I accomplish is really with God,” she says. “God is the center of my life. With God, all things are possible.” That sense of service extends beyond the church walls. Alongside her husband, Suazo has been active in the Pilar acequia, helping with ditch cleanups and the communal labor that sustains Northern New Mexico’s centuries-old irrigation systems. “It’s about showing up,” she says. Family is at the heart of her life. Suazo and her husband have two adult sons and three grandchildren who frequently fill their home with noise and laughter. Her youngest son serves in the U.S. Army, a source of pride and constant prayer. “I just tell my sons, ‘Do your best,’” she says. “That’s all we can do.” Music and cultural preservation are another thread woven through Suazo’s life. Her brother, Casey Gallegos, is president of the New Mexico Hispano Music Association, and each year the entire family comes together to help produce the Annual Hispano Music Awards at Ohkay Casino. Suazo coordinates presenters and assists behind the scenes, ensuring the celebration runs smoothly. “It’s about preserving the culture,” she says. “The music, the traditions — that matters.” Despite her long list of accomplishments, Suazo remains uncomfortable with recognition. She admits she had to be talked into participating in the Women of Impact honors at all. “I don’t like being the center of attention,” she says with a laugh. And yet, her impact is undeniable. Whether helping guide one of the state’s most forward-thinking cooperatives, tending to an adobe church built centuries ago, or ensuring a community music celebration runs smoothly, Carmella Suazo embodies a form of leadership rooted in humility, consistency and care. Her advice for living a good life is simple: “Be kind to others. Don’t judge. You don’t know what people are dealing with.” TAOSNEWS.COM/MAGAZINES/TAOS-WOMAN

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Celebrating the Women Who Shape Taos The LOR Foundation is proud to celebrate the women recognized in this year’s Taoseña Awards. Women have always played a central role in shaping civic life in Taos. Their leadership may not always make headlines, but these honorees exemplify the power of persistence and community connection to drive real progress every day. We are especially honored to celebrate Maria Gonzalez, LOR’s Questa Community Officer, as she receives this well-deserved recognition. Maria’s unwavering dedication to serving her neighbors and uplifting local voices is a powerful example for all of us who have the privilege of working alongside her.

Inspired? Let’s talk. LOR partners with Taos and Questa residents to turn community ideas into action. There are no long applications, and most eligible requests receive funding in less than a month, so you can make a positive impact fast. Reach out to your community officer to learn more or get started today! (307) 699-5343 lorfoundation.org

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or Shawn Duran, helping

others has never been about accolades. “There are many deserving women, and men, too, who qualify for recognition. I find my selection as a Woman of Impact very humbling because I strive to help others,” says Shawn Duran during a recent interview at the Taos Pueblo Administration Building. Despite her outlook, the nomination granting her the honor reads as follows: “Shawn Duran has dedicated her career to strengthening Taos Pueblo through education, community planning and visionary leadership rooted in cultural values.” Duran, born into a military family, lived in many localities and attended various schools during her formative years. She credits her parents and grandparents for teaching her spiritual guidance, knowledge and a foundation that carries her into anything she undertakes. Her late father, Anthony B. Martinez, retired from the U.S. Army and her mother, Elma Joy Martinez, served as a registered nurse. Her siblings are Karin, Matt and Lisa. Duran’s family also includes son, Nelson Duran, a member of the 2026 War Chief’s staff at Taos Pueblo, and daughter, Hillery Duran, Administrator’s Assistant III at Taos Pueblo’s Department of Public Safety. Three grandchildren provide much joy to Grandma Shawn: Linnea Pat, Jude Duran and Daisy Duran. Following graduation from Taos High in 1985, she worked at the Amizette Inn at Taos Ski Valley and then at Centinel Bank. Duran began her service to Taos Pueblo Feb. 10, 1997. Along the way, Shawn attended college, receiving a bachelor’s in Psychology with a minor in Native American Studies from the University of New Mexico in 2005. Then, she earned an MPA (Master of Public Administration) in 2013 from UNM. Duran began her Taos Pueblo career as a Program Assistant for the Education and Training Division and eventually advanced to the Director’s position. In 2013, she progressed to the Tribal Program Administrative position, and in 2022 received the duties and title of Chief Operating Officer for Taos Pueblo. When asked about her work in her most recent position, Shawn explains she operates directly under tribal government in addition to working with eight departments and divisions. “In essence, my work is huge advocacy for all tribal programs, especially for self-governance.” To that end, Duran belongs to the Self-Governance Advisory Committee for the Department of the Interior and Tribal

Self-Governance for the Indian Health Service/Department. Quarterly meetings and an annual conference keep her active in these organizations. That advocacy extends to the Pueblo’s community planning work, which has drawn national attention. In 2025, the Taos News reported Taos Pueblo’s Priority Process had advanced to the site visit round of the Harvard Project on Indigenous Governance and Development’s Honoring Nations awards program. Duran and Dr. Holly Scheib, director of community development for Taos Pueblo, have worked for the past decade on the Priority Process, which identifies five major priorities: education, economic development, housing, community health and leadership continuity. Duran describes the process as tree-like: The people represent roots and are “brought together to form a trunk, a strong foundation; core branches represent core priorities, and secondary branches symbolize the goals of those priorities; the leaves are tribal programs, since leaves continually change.” In a Women of Impact focus group meeting, colleague Sunshine Duran described Shawn Duran as a longtime public servant who strengthens Taos Pueblo’s Education Department and helps build the Red Willow Farm while continuing to work beyond regular hours for the community. Not one to rest on her laurels, Duran simplifies her role with Taos Pueblo as one to help others. However, nomination information views her work as “a role in which she oversees complex tribal initiatives while remaining deeply connected to community needs. Colleagues describe her as a steady, thoughtful leader who works tirelessly — often beyond official hours — to ensure programs truly serve the people. Her leadership style emphasizes collaboration, accountability and respect, earning trust across the departments and generations. Duran has been instrumental in advancing Taos Pueblo’s innovative community-driven priority process which integrates education, housing, health, economic development and leadership continuity into a unified vision for the future.” On a more personal level, the honoree considers herself a music lover and a foodie. Favored music genres include folk, classic rock and alternative rock. Her edible delights feature atole (“I love blue corn”), Chinese cuisine and Northern New Mexico food. Duran shares the words of anthropologist Margaret Mead as her guiding influence: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

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Two Taoseñas,

One Vision for Local Real Estate Yvonne Trujillo and Devona Maes, both born and raised in Taos, are honored to have the opportunity to establish their own team of professionals dedicated to providing exceptional service to our community. With their combined knowledge and experience, they are committed to delivering the highest level of expertise and support to ensure the success of your real estate endeavors.

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We may be a new team, but we are not unfamiliar with Taos or Taos Real Estate. Whether you are selling or buying, we invite you to leverage our decades of local experience, extensive network, and expertise to achieve your real estate goals. Contact us today to discover the advantages of partnering with the Trujillo-Maes Real Estate Group. The Trujillo-Maes Real Estate Group 314A Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos, NM. 87571 Direct: 575.779.1961 | Office: 575.758.1924 ©2026 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of Columbia Insurance Company, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate. Information is deemed to be reliable but is not guaranteed. This is not a solicitation if you are currently working with a real estate broker. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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By Michelle Parejo Raust

t the center of the table where work and meals and gatherings occur is a carefully handwritten family tree — sketched in pencil, because mapping generations is a life’s work. From that seat, the physical hallmarks of a vibrant, abundant, busy life are evident. What distinguishes this home from any other busy household, is the nature of the “busy.” Everything holds a shared purpose; preservation of tradition. Garcia-Gonzales and her siblings are descendants of the 12 original families of the 1751 Las Trampas Land Grant. Garcia remains on ancestral land, as do her parents, Maximiliano and Sandra Garcia. Her siblings all remain in the Upper Rio Grande. And her greatest pride — her children — each chose to remain in or return to the valley. Garcia-Gonzales inherits her parents’ work ethic. Her mother worked full-time for the State of New Mexico in public service then later in auditing for a local casino. Her father was the stay-at-home parent embodying community leadership in shoes large enough for only a force like Garcia-Gonzales to fill. “The protector of the land and of tradition, he taught me what it meant to be a community leader,” she says. Garcia-Gonzales has held countless leadership roles including as a board member for El Centro Family Health, Peñasco Independent Schools, and the Chamisal Community Cemetery. She is known for taking great care considering the cost of any new policy to her community. For many years, her family has served as mayordomos of the local Catholic capilla, keeping the doors open, welcoming and clean. Greeting peregrinos making pilgrimages to Chimayo, and ringing the bell when notified of someone’s passing — a call to the community to bring support to a family grieving. Garcia-Gonzales is Director of Operations for the New Mexico Acequia Association, dedicated to the protection and strengthening of acequias statewide. This role comes naturally to Garcia-Gonzales whose father served on the Chamisal Mutual Domestic Water Consumers Association for close to 50 years; a role now filled by Garcia-Gonzales. When asked, about the greatest threat to local water rights and healthy drinking water, she responds “Disconnect ... People come in who do not understand the value of water.” Garcia-Gonzales was part of a movement in 2016 to successfully halt plans for construction of acequia-piping in the upper watershed of her local acequia. The pipeline put groundwater supplies at risk that are naturally recharged by traditional acequias. “You have to be courageous to make impact,” notes a longtime colleague of Garcia-Gonzales’. “You are always putting yourself at risk when you make a stance.” In doing so, 38

she describes Garcia-Gonzales as “humble and heartfelt, sensitive yet fierce.” Garcia-Gonzales shares she’s “sat in many circles, and on many boards with strong people. It’s a lot of conversations and dialogue. Being courageous is an act of voting with consciousness.” When asked about the role of women in leadership, she responds, “we bring empathy and compassion to the table and gentleness to communication.” The biggest lesson Garcia-Gonzales has imparted upon her children is how to “show up” for your community and “be a good neighbor.” Sometimes this means doing so even when a neighbor disagrees. “It’s about being available,” she says. What are the consequences when tradition is not passed down? Daughter Donne Gonzales-Lopez, who lives in the home of her greatgreat grandfather across the road and farms the land, answers, “my mother raised an entire family who is rich in tradition. It’s taught us how to be grounded, to love this land and community. Growing up, this home was the safe spot, the hub.” “I love feeding people,” Garcia-Gonzeles shares. She would cook and take care of youth who came by, and “it was a place of accountability,” her sister explains. “Kids knew to respect her. She is a for real matriarch.” What keeps her going? “Love of community, and family,” she says. “It would not be possible without Bardo.” Husband Edward “Bardo” Gonzales plays a significant role helping to care for her parents. Son of a yerbera and partera, he and Garcia-Gonzales share in the day-to-day work of preserving community and tradition. And they have fun doing so. Gatherings revolve around grandchildren, preparing chicos in the traditional horno, making posole, harvesting remedios. Lots of parties. Sharing stories. And art. Garcia-Gonzales studied at the College of Santa Fe and Northern NM College in Española. She paints, beads, and most recently began carving wood under mentorship of her father. “She is constantly learning,” according to friends. Before leaving Chamisal, we drive to the cemetery at sunset where generations of her ancestors lay to rest. She checks to make sure the garbage bags are in place. “She celebrates life from beginning to end,” her sister reflects. Garcia embodies a tireless commitment to the dignity of land and people. “You can’t just love people when they are good. You love them all the time,” she says. And when it comes to the traditions, she should rest assured, that she has done her job. As her youngest sister puts it, “she has made sure to secure the traditions for at least two more generations ... We can carry it. We have the fire. It’s in motion.” TAOSNEWS.COM/MAGAZINES/TAOS-WOMAN

Juliet

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Randall Lumber Building a Foundation for Strong Women Since 1921 Congratulations To All The 2026 Taos Woman Honorees!

315 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos • Monday-Friday 8am-5pm • Saturday 8am-12pm • 575.758.2271 40

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CELEBRATING WOMEN IN REAL ESTATE

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Lisa Sutton

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THANKS TO THE AMAZING WOMEN IN OUR COMMUNITY!

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Tomacita 42

Tedesco

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By Lynne Robinson

omacita Tedesco is a dedicated community advocate, health professional, wife and mother whose impact is felt daily through both her work and volunteer leadership. A Taos native, Tedesco grew up rooted in both Taos Pueblo and Hispanic traditions. She graduated from Taos High School, received her bachelor’s degree from Vanguard University in California, and her master’s degree in occupational therapy from UNM. Growing up in Taos, with a foot in two worlds — her mother is Hispanic and her father was from Taos Pueblo — Tomacita Martinez Tedesco says it presented challenges. “It wasn’t always easy [being of mixed race],” she says. “But now I see how much it shaped me.” Now she understands what a gift it truly is. In the multicultural communities she works with, her own story is a bridge between cultures. Although she spent time at the Pueblo growing up, and lives there now, she says her mother’s strong faith and traditions were as much an influence. “My mother’s family are from Questa,” she explains, “and now I work in the schools there and see it as coming full circle, in a way.” Tedesco is an occupational therapist who came to her calling honestly. Shortly after returning to Taos from Costa Mesa, California. with a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology, her father was diagnosed with a brain tumor, then suffered a post-operative stroke. During his rehabilitation, she recalls meeting the occupational therapist in his hospital room and thinking, “This is what I want to do.” She received her master’s in 2007. As a child growing up in the Enchanted Circle, Tedesco loved the outdoors and was engaged in playing sports, including tennis, during her school years. “I loved tennis and being outdoors. I didn’t always feel I fit in,” she says, “but eventually I realized there were so many others that have had the same experience of having to choose between living in a traditional culture and the modern world,” she recalls. As someone who had ambitions and wanted to pursue her dreams, Tedesco chose to straddle both. “I still try to find a balance with both, having deep respect for the traditions,” she says. At the town’s Summer Tennis Camp,

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with Kurt Edelbrock as her coach, she joined the high school tennis team, and went on to play college tennis at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa. She was playing tennis when she met her husband, Jamie Tedesco. After they got engaged, she convinced him to move back to Taos with her. They were married in September 2002. She had already been working in the school system when she received her master’s degree, so her segue into her work as an occupational therapist was seamless in that regard. “Occupational therapy is a broad field,” she explains, “working with children is my focus.” “I currently work with about 50 kids throughout the county,” she says. “And I love them all so much.” She says the work is rewarding in so many ways. Tedesco points to the fact that she works during the school year and on the school schedule, which allows her to be there for her and Jamie’s three kids. “They grow so fast, and are getting into their teens now,” she says. “I really appreciate having summers off to be with them and being home with them after school is great.” Tedesco commutes to different schools throughout the county to provide OT services, including Questa, Taos Day School, Taos High School and Taos Integrated School for the Arts. For more than a decade, Tedesco has been heavily involved at Taos Pueblo Day School, where she volunteered with the Parent Teacher Organization for years and served as PTO president. As if all this were not enough for one woman to have on her plate, Tedesco also finds time for family, volunteering at her church, New Beginnings Taos, to teach Sunday School to kids, and her other love, tennis. “I got back into it during the pandemic,” she recalls. “Everything was shut down, but tennis was still something we could do, and I’ve just stayed with it.” People who know her describe Tedesco as a natural leader and a doer; someone who rises to the challenge whatever it may be. Through her vision and steady leadership, led by empathy and compassion, she has already made a lasting impact on the community. With the energy she has to spare, it’s clear nothing will stand in her way if she wants to get it done. 43

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See My Paintings at Wilder Nightingale Fine Arts (Taos), Manitou & Legacy Galleries (Santa Fe).

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“This Life is a Rainbow of Chaos” Paul Cézanne

C E L E B R A T I N G

HE ALTH CARE

Y E A R S OF SERVIN G TAOS

After 48 years of service—including 15 years with Mountain Home Health—Rose Gordon is retiring from her role as Spiritual Care and Bereavement provider and volunteer trainer. Happily, she remains with us in Taos as our Non-Medical End-of-Life Educator, offering hospice and grief education across northern New Mexico. “With skilled and compassionate hospice support, we can meet the dying time of life with confidence, courage, and deep presence.”

630 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, #180, Taos • 575.758.4786 • www.mtnhomehealth.com 44

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PA I D P O L I T I C A L A DV E RT I S E M E N T • PA I D F O R BY RO B E RTO “ B O B BY ” G O N Z A L E S

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By David Perez

n the quiet corners of the University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos) campus, amid the steady, meticulous shuffle of grant paperwork, Gina Vigil has spent three decades building a legacy she’s modest to claim. That’s what makes her special: an influence measured in the “money flowing” and the “bills being paid” behind the scenes of Northern New Mexico’s educational engine. Recognized as a 2026 Woman of Impact by the Taos News, Vigil represents the indispensable, often invisible workforce that keeps an institution’s heartbeat steady. To Vigil, she is simply “doing her job.” To those like UNM-Taos HIVE Executive Director Rose Reza, a close associate and the woman who nominated her, Vigil is the silent architect of community transformation. Born and raised in Taos, Vigil’s story is rooted in her community. A 1993 graduate of Taos High, she was a three-sport athlete — vocal about her love for sprinting but less enthusiastic about the endurance of cross-country. After a year at Highlands University and a brief stint in the National Guard, life took a turn that Vigil now identifies as “God’s plan.” She returned home to start her family and began her career at UNM-Taos as a work-study student in 1994. What started as a temporary role in the Department of Instruction evolved into a 30-year tenure. Since 2018, she has served as the business manager, a role that places her at the intersection of complex federal, state and foundation funding. Managing an institution’s fiscal health is no small feat. Vigil currently oversees approximately 33 different grants. Her daily life is a whirlwind of budget oversight and navigating the intricacies of state and federal grant accounts, which includes mastering the “Streamline” program — a system so dense that Reza jokingly refers to it as “Quicksand.” Vigil also acts as the financial backbone for principal investigators who lead various university initiatives. “I just do it the ‘Gina way,’” she says of her time management, relying heavily on her “best friend,” Excel, to keep the massive operation organized. The “impact” Vigil struggles to see in herself is apparent to the community members who benefit from her work. Her grant management enables programs that touch the lives of thousands. Through her work with Anwar Kaelin at the Small Business

Development Center, Vigil ensures there’s funding to support local entrepreneurs. She manages funds for federal TRIO programs, which provide tutoring and cultural experiences for first-generation and low-income students. Vigil juggles the purchase of laptops, hotspots and furniture that empower youth and provide them with tools necessary for modern education. Reza emphasizes that Vigil’s administrative mastery is precisely how the HIVE can serve 2,500 community members per quarter. “I couldn’t do my job without [her],” Reza said during the interview. “We don’t ever see the women behind the scenes doing all the work … making things happen.” Despite her “plain” self-description and her aversion to the spotlight, Vigil is a powerhouse of personal achievement. While working and raising three children — Samantha, Brianna and Estevan — she quietly earned her master’s in educational leadership through an online program. When asked why she chose that path, she credits a support group of colleagues who pushed each other to succeed in the digital classroom. Even with a master’s degree, Vigil remains humble: “I don’t see myself ever getting into a leadership position. It’s not me.” To which her peers effectively respond: Look around; you’re already there. Vigil is a devoted mother and a proud grandmother. Whether she is crocheting, camping or tending to her summer flowers, she finds her greatest peace in the “simple” life of her Ranchitos home. “I’m happy where I’m at and where I’m supposed to be,” she says. “This was God’s plan for me.” The upcoming Women of Impact event in March — timed for International Women’s Month — is causing genuine nerves for Vigil. She would much rather stay behind her desk, making sure everyone else’s needs are met. She even suggested a list of others who might “deserve” the award more than she does. But the recognition is a testament to the routine that’s vital, an acknowledgment that the heartbeat of Taos is often found in the people who work after hours, who master the “quicksand” of bureaucracy, and who provide the foundation upon which others stand. Gina Vigil may still be gritting her teeth, but the community she has served for 30 years is ready to honor the woman who has spent three decades making sure everyone else is seen first. TAOSNEWS.COM/MAGAZINES/TAOS-WOMAN

Gina TAOSNEWS.COM/MAGAZINES/TAOS-WOMAN

Vigil

THE WOMEN OF OLGUIN'S SAWMILL WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE, COMMEND AND EXPRESS HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE 2026 WOMEN OF IMPACT

Crystal Medina

Your unwavering dedication to creating positive change has significantly enhanced our community fostering a place we proudly call home.

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Maria

Gonzalez 50

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By Ellen Miller-Goins

aria Gonzalez tells her story because she believes stories save lives. “I’m an open book,” she says. “Because my story might trigger someone to say, ‘Oh, she went through that. It’s okay for me to say something.’ There’s healing in story. I’m a firm believer that the more we talk and the more we tell our story, then the more healing that we have.” That belief — grounded in lived experience, faith and an unshakeable commitment to community — has guided Gonzalez for nearly two decades of work in behavioral health, education and community development. Today, as the Questa community officer for the LOR Foundation and director of the Vida Del Norte Drug-Free Coalition, Gonzalez is widely recognized as a steady, compassionate force helping her hometown face some of its most difficult challenges with honesty and hope. Gonzalez’s roots in Questa run deep — literally beginning in her grandmother’s driveway, where she was born in the back seat of her father’s Bonneville. A graduate of Questa High School, Class of 1999, she often describes herself as a “true Questeña,” not just because of where she was born, but because she and her husband, Jason, made a conscious decision to stay and raise their four daughters here. “We chose to raise our family here and really be connected to our roots,” she says. “Family support, culture, language — that matters.” Growing up surrounded by extended family, tradition and the rhythms of rural life shaped Gonzalez’s sense of responsibility to place. Gardening, hunting, fishing, church and community gatherings weren’t extracurricular activities; they were the fabric of daily life. Central among her early influences was her maternal grandmother, a devout Catholic who helped anchor Gonzalez’s moral compass and faith. “Even though she passed away when I was 10, she’s walked my life with me,” Gonzalez says. “She’s always been that ancestor who’s been there.”

Turning trauma into purpose Behind Gonzalez’s calm presence is a story marked by trauma — one she shares openly because she knows how silence can compound harm. As a pre-teen, then teenager, Gonzalez survived years of sexual abuse, an experience she kept secret until her early twenties. The recklessness that followed, she says, was not uncommon for someone carrying unresolved trauma. After high school, she left home and eventually found herself in Lahaina, Maui — a turning point that would shape the rest of her life. Living in Hawaii, Gonzalez experienced what she describes as a profound spiritual awakening. Immersed in Native Hawaiian culture and supported by relationships rooted in respect, she began to understand concepts that had previously been denied to her: bodily autonomy, dignity and self-worth. “For the first time, I understood what it meant to be respected as a woman,” she says. “That changed everything.” When she returned to Questa, she was changed — and not everyone understood. Some friendships fell away. Others endured. What remained was a clarity of purpose: she wanted to live differently, and she wanted to help others heal. Gonzalez’s professional path reflects that commitment.

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After earning an associate degree in liberal arts with an emphasis in Spanish, she began working with the Boys and Girls Club in Questa in 2005. She later taught elementary art and catechism, and served as a mayordomo at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church alongside her husband. Her career expanded into behavioral health through roles with TeamBuilders and later insurance-based care coordination, where she witnessed firsthand how economic upheaval, substance misuse and lack of services ripple through rural communities. “I kept saying, ‘We need more services in Questa,’” she recalls. “We need to be proactive, not reactive.” That vision eventually brought her to Las Cumbres Community Services, where she worked as a family navigator supporting children and caregivers facing trauma. It was also where her involvement with Vida Del Norte deepened. Founded in response to a devastating incident involving a local child, Vida Del Norte focuses on preventing substance misuse among Northern Taos County youth. Gonzalez became coordinator in 2018 and quickly expanded the coalition’s reach — engaging schools, law enforcement, health providers, parents, churches and, critically, young people themselves. She is particularly outspoken about cultural norms that normalize alcohol use around children. “There’s no reason why we should be celebrating a baby’s baptism with alcohol,” Gonzalez says. “We need to get away from that.” Her stance isn’t about judgment, she emphasizes, but about protecting children and breaking generational cycles. Listening as leadership In 2022, Gonzalez stepped into her current role with the LOR Foundation, an organization that supports community-led solutions by listening first. The position suits her naturally. “Listening is really hearing what people need and what they want,” she says. “Sometimes people just want to know they’re not alone.” Since joining LOR, Gonzalez has helped local residents champion dozens of projects — from youth sports and school programs to cultural preservation, emergency services and community spaces. Rather than imposing solutions, she acts as a connector, helping neighbors turn ideas into action. Those who work alongside her describe a leadership style rooted in humility and trust. Gonzalez is as likely to be found in a meeting as she is helping irrigate fields, planning fiestas or showing up for a neighbor in crisis. At the heart of Gonzalez’s impact is her willingness to be vulnerable — to name trauma, challenge norms and invite difficult conversations in a community where silence has often been the default. Her hope is simple but profound: that by telling her story, others might find the courage to tell theirs. “If my story helps one person speak up,” she says, “then it’s worth it.” In a town shaped by tradition and resilience, Maria Gonzalez is helping Questa imagine a future where healing is communal, children are protected, and change begins with listening.

From mothers to mijas

How UNM-Taos is building a multigenerational network of women By Ellen Miller-Goins At the University of New Mexico-Taos, a quiet but powerful mentorship program is helping young women across Northern New Mexico find their voices, trust their instincts and imag-

ine futures shaped by their own dreams. “You Can Do It, Mija!” is more than a slogan. It is the guiding spirit of a women-centered, culturally rooted mentorship program that connects high school students with UNM-

UNM-Taos Students at the Papel Picado Making Event in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month in in October 2025. The event was a collaborative gathering with UNM-Taos MECha (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán), a student organization focused on promoting higher education, cultural awareness, and social justice for Chicano/a and Latino/a students.

Taos student mentors and community leaders, creating a multigenerational network grounded in listening, creativity and care. Since last spring, the Mija program has expanded its reach through a deepened partnership with Taos High School and a new collaboration with Vista Grande High School. In that time, more than 60 additional teens have participated in the program. While growth in numbers is exciting, program leaders say the most meaningful impact happens in quieter moments: listening to a teen talk about her love of anime, her dream of becoming a NICU nurse, or the uncertainty she feels navigating adolescence. “Each opportunity to listen — to reflect and uplift our young women — really matters,” Mija Program Coordinator Opal McCarthy, says. This school year, UNM-Taos has also expanded its team of student mentors from two to five. These college students work alongside program staff to design and facilitate programming for teens, as well as campus and community events. Workshops range from singing and authentic voice, to yoga, artmaking and self-defense. As mentors step into leadership roles, they are also challenged to model the confidence and self-reflection they encourage in others. “We are role modeling for the girls,” Student Mentor Gina Rubi-Bauch says. “We need to step up and do what we are asking them to do — whether it’s creating a vision board or setting healthy boundaries in our lives.” At its core, Mija is shaped by the community it serves. The program’s team of students and staff reflects Taos’ cultural tapestry and spans several generations. That diversity

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Mija Program staff and mentors at the Mija Fall Party in September 2025, a community gathering to celebrate self-expression and kick off the new school year. Left to right: Alejandra Villalobos, Julie Cortopassi, Melissa Rorman, Maria Zarazua Perez, Evie Trujillo, Gina Rubi-Bauch and Opal McCarthy.

informs a daily reflective practice centered on understanding, cultural pride and intergenerational wisdom. “Taos women are independent and hardworking,” Rubi-Bauch says. “When we bring these ideas about women’s empowerment into the high school classroom, many of the teens are already familiar with these ideas — they already have a role model of a strong woman in their life.” During an early visit to Taos High School, mentors asked students to draw what a strong woman looks like. Many drew their mothers or sisters. Mija participants are encouraged to explore college and career pathways driven by their interests, including options they may not have previously considered. The program introduces students to UNM-Taos dual enrollment opportunities and postsecondary pathways, while also honoring where they come from — their families, heritage and lived experiences. In one reflective exercise, students look into a mirror and are invited to see the faces of their mothers and grandmothers reflected in their

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own. They talk about the qualities they admire in those women and what they want to carry forward. “I’ve never been asked before to think about what I like about my culture,” says Maria Zarazua Perez, a recent high school graduate who is now a student mentor. “When we were planning to ask students about this, I knew I needed to do that for myself.” Feedback from teens and college mentors is integrated continuously, shaping everything from snack choices to workshop topics. At the same time, the program gently introduces new ideas and skills. Among Fall 2025 mentees, 78 percent agree they learned something new, and 77 percent say they learned something about themselves. Moments of impact often arrive unexpectedly — through a poem, a song, a piece of art or even shared laughter. “They are feeling brave and strong enough to share their expressions,” student mentor Julie Cortopassi says. Community partnerships also play a key role. Registered dietician and nutritionist Cristi-

na Rebellón has worked with Mija for two years, offering hands-on experiences such as cooking demonstrations and mindful eating exercises. These sessions blend practical information with reflection, creativity and connection. Looking ahead, program leaders hope to expand partnerships with organizations including Community Against Violence, Bridges Project for Education, True Kids 1, Twirl and 100% Taos County. There is also a long-term vision to bring empowerment and leadership curriculum to local middle schools and to strengthen pathways for teen mentees to become mentors themselves as they pursue higher education. McCarthy and Dr. Alejandra Villalobos Meléndez, Director of Strategic Initiatives at UNM-Taos, are dedicated to building this trust as the program continues to grow. “Our hope is that the term of endearment ‘Mija’ can take on another layer of meaning here in Taos,” Dr. Villalobos says, “as a community where women and girls feel safe to connect, and to return to, in every stage of life.” 53

Young Women to Watch

Balancing

talent, purpose & heart By Ellen Miller-Goins Each year, Taos Woman celebrates a group of young women who are already shaping the future of Northern New Mexico — not through loud declarations, but through curiosity, commitment and care for their communities. This year’s Young Women to Watch come from different schools, towns and backgrounds, but they share a common thread: a willing-

ness to show up fully in whatever space they occupy. They are artists and athletes, scientists and storytellers, leaders and listeners. Some are just beginning to discover where their interests may lead, while others are already stepping confidently toward long-held goals. All of them demonstrate a depth of character that extends well beyond their years. What sets these young women apart is not simply achievement, but

intention — the way they balance ambition with empathy, discipline with creativity, and personal growth with a strong sense of responsibility to those around them. Whether mentoring younger peers, excelling in the classroom, contributing to local arts and athletics, or asking thoughtful questions about the world they inherit, they are quietly building lives of purpose. We are excited to see where their paths lead.

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LIVE HERE

We applaud the women in our community who have opened doors for so many people. Shawn Duran Gina Vigil

Enriqueta Vasquez Maria Gonzalez

Carmella Suazo

Tomacita "Toma" Tedesco Lauralee Martinez

Juliet Garcia - Gonzales Thank you for your dedication and commitment to our neighbors and families.

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Young Women to Watch

Jolene Apodaca By Ellen Miller-Goins

alance is a word that comes up again and again when talking with Jolene Apodaca, a junior at Moreno Valley Preparatory in Angel Fire who lives in Eagle Nest. Whether she is designing costumes for a musical, performing onstage, studying advanced math concepts, or playing soccer, Apodaca approaches each pursuit with focus, curiosity and a clear joy for learning. “I have a lot of very separate interests,” Apodaca says. “I’m very invested in music and art, but I’m also very into things like physics and mathematics.” A typical day includes classes, personal study time, drawing or listening to music, and after-school commitments that shift with the seasons, from theater in the fall and winter, to soccer in the spring. Finding time for her own interests, she says, is essential.

COURTESY PHOTO One of Jolene Apodaca’s winning costume designs will come to life in “Alice by Heart,” Moreno Valley Preparatory’s spring musical production. Apocaca is playing the dual role of a nurse who becomes the Queen of Hearts.

Apodaca’s path to Northern New Mexico began far from the Sangre de Cristos. She grew up in Cordova, a small fishing town in Alaska, and moved to the area when she was 8. “We took that pivot from Alaska to here, just to be closer to family,” she says. Jolene’s father works as an occupational therapist in Taos, and her mother, Kendra Apodaca, teaches English, math, art and theater at Moreno Valley Preparatory. “She’s my greatest inspiration,” Apodaca says proudly. Theater has become one of Apodaca’s most visible outlets, both onstage and behind the scenes. Last year she performed as Persephone in Hadestown, a role she embraced fully — humor included — and one she says remains a favorite. This year she takes on the Queen of Hearts in “Alice by Heart,” a musical that blends Alice in Wonderland imagery with the realities of World War II London. Smart and talented, Apodaca is also funny. Audiences saw that side of her when she leaned into the humor of Persephone, clearly enjoying the character’s wit and mischief. She draws inspiration from her equally talented mother, who has played a central role in shaping Moreno Valley Preparatory’s theater program. Creativity runs in the family. Apodaca’s older sister, Serena, is also a gifted performer and artist, and Jolene credits both her mother and sister with helping spark her love of theater and storytelling. That love of storytelling extends to costume design, where Apodaca has earned statewide recognition. Designing costumes for Alice by Heart, she received the highest score in New Mexico at the state theater competition and advanced to national competition for the second year in a row. Her work involves creating character-driven designs, developing budgets and presenting her concepts to professional judges. “I’ve always been very big on storytelling,”

she says. “I try to use my art to feed that.” Academically, Apodaca thrives in Moreno Valley Preparatory’s Paideia model, which emphasizes discussion and seminar-style learning. Initially shy, she says the structure pushed her to become a more confident speaker and collaborator. “By my junior year, I’ve become much more social in general,” she says. Her interests extend well beyond the arts. Apodaca studies pre-calculus and has developed a self-directed passion for theoretical physics, sparked years ago by memorizing equations and later by trying to understand what they represent. “It’s about trying my best to understand the universe,” she says. Music remains another constant. Apodaca sings Alto 1 in New Mexico’s All-State Mixed Choir, one of the most competitive ensembles in the state, and she often notices the connection between music and science. “A lot of times you will find that physics and music are very related,” she says. Outside the classroom and theater, Apodaca plays varsity soccer and skis in her free time, a skill she learned young in Alaska. She credits the balance between creative work, academics and athletics with keeping her motivated. Shifting between disciplines, she says, gives her both mental clarity and renewed focus. As she looks ahead, Apodaca is considering both theater arts and physics programs, particularly in Colorado. Narrowing her focus is a challenge, she admits, but one she approaches with the same openness that defines her daily life. “I have so many interests,” she says. “I can’t seem to narrow it down to one.” For now, Apodaca continues to explore, create and learn, finding meaning at the intersections of art and science, humor and discipline, imagination and precision. In that space between worlds, she is clearly one to watch. TAOSNEWS.COM/MAGAZINES/TAOS-WOMAN

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Young Women to Watch

Ava Driver By Ellen Miller-Goins

ourteen-year-old Ava Driver doesn’t demand attention when she enters a room — she listens first. Soft-spoken and thoughtful, the eighth grader at Red River Valley Charter School has a calm presence that draws people in. When we met near closing time at Bearly Awake Coffee Shop in Red River, I had to ask them to turn the music down so I could hear her. Ava speaks gently, but with intention — and when she does speak, it’s clear she knows exactly who she is. Poised and polite, Ava carries herself with a quiet confidence well beyond her years. Her teachers notice it. So do the younger children she works with at Red River Ski & Summer Area, where she recently began working as an apprentice in the youth ski program. “I help the kids get ready — gloves, helmets, jackets,” she says. “And if they’re nervous or crying, we just try to make it fun and get them excited.” That instinct — to calm, encourage and support — seems to come naturally. Ava works weekends while attending school Monday through Thursday, balancing her responsibilities with ease. She’s already developed strong customer service skills, learning how to de-escalate stressful situations with both children and parents. “I try to stay calm,” she says. “That usually helps.” Ava moved to Red River two years ago from Moore, Oklahoma, after her mother accepted a job at a local bank. The transition from a large public school to a small charter school — where seventh and eighth grade 58

together total just 10 students — was an adjustment. “But I really like how the teachers can spend time with each student,” Ava says. “They know us. They really help.” Her academic dedication has never wavered. Even before moving to New Mexico, Ava was recognized for her scholarship, leadership and citizenship. In Moore, she received the Masonic “Student of Today” Award — the highest honor in her district — for “outstanding scholarship, leadership, citizenship and integrity” as well as a Citizenship Award for respect, responsibility and positive attitude. At Red River Valley Charter School, those same qualities shine. School administrator Kimberly Ritterhouse describes Ava as “an outstanding student” whose self-motivation and kindness inspire her peers. Ava regularly helps classmates with math and group work, not because she’s asked, but because she wants to see others succeed. “Studies are my number one priority,” Ava says simply. “It’s important if you want to be successful in the future.” That future, according to Ava, includes medicine. She hopes to become a pediatric surgeon, inspired in part by the life story of Dr. Ben Carson. “I thought his story was really interesting,” she says. “He inspires me.” Faith is another cornerstone of Ava’s life. She attends Faith Mountain Fellowship and wears a small cross necklace every day — a gift from one of her older brothers. Ava is one of six siblings, with three older brothers and two younger sisters, twins Camila and Briella.

“I want to be a good influence to them,” she says of the twins. “We’re very close.” Her biggest role model is her mother, a single mother whom Ava describes as strong, determined and quietly influential. “She pushes me to be better without even saying anything,” Ava says. “I just watch her.” Outside school and work, Ava enjoys reading, writing, hiking and babysitting. Writing, in particular, is a favorite. She’s drawn to reflective, nonfiction-style pieces that explore personal growth. “I like to make people think,” she says. Though she doesn’t describe herself as a leader, Ava embodies leadership in subtler ways — through empathy, adaptability and attentiveness. She listens carefully, considers others’ perspectives and steps forward when help is needed. “I think my biggest strength is being able to adapt to new environments,” she says. “And putting myself in other people’s shoes.” As Ava prepares to graduate eighth grade, she’s considering online high school so she can work more, stay involved in the community and continue discovering her interests. She’s even talked about starting an archery club someday, drawing on her past experience in the sport. For now, Ava Driver is doing what she does best — working quietly, learning diligently and helping wherever she can. In a town that values community and care, her steady presence is already making an impact. And though you might need to turn the music down to hear her speak, Ava’s future promises to be anything but quiet. TAOSNEWS.COM/MAGAZINES/TAOS-WOMAN

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Young Women to Watch

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Rochelle Lopez By Ellen Miller-Goins

eadership, resilience and a deep sense of responsibility to her community define Rochelle Lopez, a graduating senior at Peñasco High School. Her accomplishments on the basketball court and in the classroom have brought statewide recognition to her small Northern New Mexico town. Lopez has been a cornerstone of the Peñasco girls basketball program throughout her high school career. A consistent high scorer and team captain, she helped lead the Lady Panthers to their first-ever state championship in 2024. As a sophomore, Lopez led the championship game in scoring. Since then, she has continued to post strong scoring performances, becoming a familiar name in Taos News game coverage year after year. Looking back on her time at Peñasco High School, Lopez says what stands out most is being surrounded by teammates. Winning state remains a defining moment, not only for the title itself, but for what it revealed about the team and its depth of support from the community. “It just showed how resilient we were as a team that year,” she says. As a team captain, Lopez learned that leadership is often quieter than expected. “Listening a lot,” she says, was the biggest surprise. “It’s not just about talking, it’s

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about being a people person and supporting the girls through everything.” Showing up on the hardest days, she adds, taught her responsibility and accountability, lessons she plans to carry with her beyond athletics. Balancing school, sports and college preparation requires discipline. Lopez says she relies on routines and breaks challenges into manageable pieces when the pressure builds. In a small school where many students wear multiple hats, she feels a strong obligation to show up consistently, both for herself and for others who depend on her presence. That discipline has translated into academic success: Lopez earned the Davis New Mexico Scholarship, awarded to first-generation college students from rural Northern New Mexico, and she is a finalist for the Daniels Scholarship. When she realized those opportunities were possible, she says the moment felt both exciting and deeply meaningful. “I got to do it through Peñasco and have my name put out there for our small town,” she says. “A lot of times we don’t get recognized.” Lopez will be the first in her family to attend college. She plans to major in biology or biochemistry, with the long-term goal of becoming a dentist, possibly an orthodontist.

Her interest in dentistry grew from personal experience after spending several years in braces and learning about the field from her orthodontist. Mentorship has played a key role along the way. Lopez credits former English teacher and current elementary-school counselor Stephanie Noll for guiding her through scholarship applications and encouraging her ambitions. She also points to science teacher Mercella Córdova, whose demanding coursework helped prepare her for the academic rigor she expects in college. Family support remains central to her success. Lopez’s parents, Danielle Rodriguez and Rocky Lopez, support her from Peñasco and Los Alamos, and she lives with her grandparents, Dolora and Manuel Rodriguez, who attend her games whenever possible. “Without that support system,” she says, “I wouldn’t be where I am today.” As graduation approaches, Lopez says she is both nervous and excited about the next chapter. More than accolades or statistics, she hopes she will be remembered as someone who showed up for her team, her school and her community. “Small communities often get overlooked,” she says, “but they have some of the best people.” 61

Young Women to Watch

Taylor Streit By Ellen Miller-Goins

uriosity is a constant in Taylor Streit’s life. Growing up near Taos, she says, the stunning night sky demanded questions. “When you’re growing up and you have a view like that almost every night, it’s kind of difficult to not feel curious about it,” Streit says. “I was always really into science and learning whatever I could.” That curiosity has led the Taos High School student to a range of youth-led projects that blend science, storytelling and community engagement, including her work with STEMarts Lab and the youth-created podcast Space on Earth. Through those platforms, Streit helps break down complex space science concepts into conversations that feel accessible, human and grounded in everyday life. She says her interest in space began early, nurtured by parents who encouraged her questions and enthusiasm. As a child, she remembers sitting on her bedroom floor reading books about space, then running to share newly learned facts with her mom. “That curiosity and that interest goes as far back as I can remember,” she says. Through STEMarts Lab, a nonprofit that works with youth to communicate space science through art and technology, Streit became involved in launching Space on Earth. The podcast invites students to explore topics ranging from lunar missions to the overview effect, while keeping the conversation open to listeners who may not have a science background. “The whole idea was, here’s this complicated topic,” Streit says. “How do we break it down so somebody who knows nothing about space but wants to learn doesn’t feel behind?” That emphasis on accessibility matters to her. She says science can sometimes feel exclu-

sionary, especially to young people who do not see themselves as “science people.” “Space and science — that’s for everybody,” she says. “There’s such an idea of, ‘I’m not this kind of person,’ and that can feel really limiting when you’re trying to follow your curiosity.” Streit’s work on Space on Earth has also connected her to other youth programs, including the Ancestral Skies video project produced by True Kids 1. In that project, she speaks about dark skies and the importance of limiting light pollution, not only to preserve views of the night sky but also to protect wildlife and natural rhythms. “With light pollution, there’s more to it than just the night sky,” she says. “It impacts wildlife, and that stuff trickles down into other problems if animals aren’t thriving.” She says making connections between space and Earth is essential. “Space feels very far away,” Streit says. “But there are so many practical connections to our lives here.” That connection to place runs deep. Though she does not consider herself an avid fly fisher like her well-known father and grandfather, Streit says growing up in Northern New Mexico instilled in her a strong appreciation for the outdoors and public lands. “I really grew up appreciating the outdoors and environmental preservation,” she says. “That’s something I really care about.” As her work has reached broader audiences, Streit says she has experienced moments of realization about the impact of her voice. “I didn’t realize people were hearing this,” she says of being invited to participate in Ancestral Skies. “Before that, it just felt like a learning opportunity, not something public.”

Outside of space-related projects, Streit’s interests stretch across creative disciplines. She hosts her own radio show, “CD Shelf Radio,” on KNCE, where she shares music and explores art and culture. The show’s name, she says, comes from her childhood love of listening to CDs and reading lyric booklets. “I love sharing art with people,” she says. “I love talking about it.” Looking ahead, Streit does not see herself pursuing a traditional STEM career, despite her deep engagement with science. Instead, she is drawn to creative fields such as fashion design and psychology. “I love that fashion blends creativity and practicality,” she says, noting her fascination with red carpet design and the ways technology can intersect with wearable art. Psychology is another long-standing interest. “It’s very applicable,” she says. “You see it in yourself and in the world around you.” For now, Streit says she is content to follow her curiosity wherever it leads. “I got into STEMarts and Space on Earth just because I was curious,” she says. “It led me somewhere I didn’t expect. That’s kind of my hope — to keep trying things and see where that curiosity takes me.” She credits her mother as one of her strongest role models, describing her as someone who pursues learning for the sheer joy of it. “If she’s interested in something, she finds a way to learn more,” Streit says. “That philosophy really shaped how I think.” For Streit, curiosity is not just a personal trait. It is a way of engaging with the world — one question, one conversation and one shared story at a time.

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Young Women to Watch

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Emma Atkinson By Ellen Miller-Goins

here is a steadiness to Emma Atkinson that feels older than her years. It shows up in the way she speaks about music — not as a faraway dream but as something lived alongside school, sports, family and community. For Atkinson, now a senior at Taos High School, music has never been a phase. It has been a throughline. Though music has always been a constant, she began seriously writing songs at age 9, first as a child who made up melodies instinctively, then as a young musician learning how to shape those ideas into something lasting. Today, Atkinson plays piano, guitar and bass, writes original music and performs regularly — often on stages that once felt impossibly large. One of the most defining moments of her young life unfolded far from Taos. Atkinson performed her late grandfather Chris Ethridge’s song “She” at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, sharing the stage with members of Wilco and Brothers Osborne. Ethridge, a founding member of the Flying Burrito Brothers, died when Atkinson was four, but the connection she felt that day was immediate and powerful. “I loved the feeling of being in Music City, preparing to perform with other really cool

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artists,” she says. “I felt like I had the world at my fingertips.” Back home, Atkinson has become a familiar presence in Taos’ arts community. She has participated in Night of 1,000 Stars for years — not just as a performer, but as an emcee and teen leader — mentoring younger artists and helping guide the production behind the scenes. “It taught me how to collaborate, how to mentor and how to help create a space where people feel supported,” she says. Music is central to Atkinson’s life, but it is not the only thing grounding her. She plays soccer, has recently taken up competitive tennis, skis when she can and stays active as a way to stay centered. On busy days, she thinks about her future self — the person she hopes to be proud of — and makes time to unwind by reading or watching a show with her family. Her songwriting process mirrors that balance of instinct and discipline. Melody usually comes first, she says, giving the song direction. Lyrics take more work. “You want them to be coherent throughout the whole song,” she explains, “not just a bunch of different ideas.” Atkinson credits much of her steadiness to her parents, Necia Ethridge and Shane Atkinson, who have been consistently supportive without ever pushing her toward a particular

outcome. They have prioritized opportunity over pressure, encouraging her to work hard, follow through and stay empathetic — values she carries into both her creative work and her daily life. She is also eager to acknowledge the people who helped her along the way: music teacher Jeannie Putnam; mentor Jimmy Stadler; Night of 1,000 Stars director Cindy Valerio; and Casandra Romero and Jim Avery at the WildFlower Playhouse. “Taos has so many people who are willing to help if you’re willing to try,” she says. Now, with graduation approaching, Atkinson is preparing for her biggest leap yet. She has applied to colleges across the country, with NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts high on her list, drawn by the idea of living in a city while she’s young. The change feels daunting — but necessary. “I don’t want fear of change to hold me back,” she says. “I don’t want to look back and wish I had done more.” That forward-looking clarity — grounded, reflective and quietly brave — is what sets Emma Atkinson apart. Wherever she lands next, she is already doing the work of becoming: listening closely, showing up fully, and moving steadily toward what comes next. 65

Building community through mutual aid Aji Wings responds to hunger and hardship with grassroots support

hen people in our community are in need, it is often women who step up to serve. Aji Wings is one of those women. She has helped people through online mutual-aid fundraising for about 15 years, but when COVID and the lack of affordable housing in Taos converged, she noticed things seemed to worsen for people. “I realized that we were missing a lot of local folks’ needs, so I began asking around, searching all the local Facebook groups to see whether there was one dedicated to mutual

aid that I could join to help in this way. There was none,” she says. “And while I had made a comment publicly to the effect that ‘someone should start a local online mutual-aid group’ no one was doing it. I realized that I couldn’t ask someone else to step up if I wasn’t willing to do so. So on October 17, 2024, Mutual Aid Network — Taos was born.” Ever since, Aji has coordinated local needs with people who can help through the Facebook page. She manages to be both compassionate and firm, drawing boundaries when needed. If she sees emergency needs that put

By Cindy Brown

people’s lives in danger, she prioritizes helping them above less urgent requests.

Paying it forward

Aji grew up primarily in New Mexico but left because she wanted to see the world. She returned almost 25 years ago to help her parents, who were both ill at the same time. Her husband is a silversmith and photographer from Taos Pueblo. In her work with him marketing his pieces over the last 20 years, they have developed a clientele of kind people all over the country and some across the globe.

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“We both know what it’s like to have lost everything and we don’t have a lot ourselves,” she says. “But knowing what we’ve been through, we’ve always tried to give back and pay forward when and where we could, mostly anonymously. But what has magnified our own modest contributions is that with our network of clients we’ve always made sure to share local folks’ crowdfunds and so forth with them and they have repeatedly stepped up to help complete strangers who need a hand.” People locally also respond to requests for help: providing a ride, a hot meal or other support to people in need. Aji set up an Amazon wishlist so people could buy urgently needed items to ensure local infants get the formula and diapers they need and families get heaters, blankets, pet food and other essentials. Aji has her own challenges due to conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. She says, “I’m blessed to be able to help run our very small business selling Wings’ art from my laptop at home; that frees me to be able to do this work. It also gives me a deeply personal perspective on how things can go badly wrong through no fault of your own and how this society is (deliberately) structured in a way that hinders rather than helps folks survive when life does go sideways. I should also note that all of this has happened with Wings’ blessing and with his express support. If it weren’t for his work, we would never have been in a position to do this.” At an interview at their home on Taos Pueblo, where they live with five chickens, three dogs and a horse, Wings expressed his support for Aji’s work. “She’s a very special person,” he says.

“Perhaps our very first connection was a retiree ready to volunteer with someone in need of post-surgery help,” she says. “And in early 2025, we raised more than $3,000 online in one evening for NEST during that sub-zero cold snap.” Through Mutual Aid, donors bought sleeping bags, tents, camp stoves and cold weather gear for Taos Shelter Me (for dogs in need) and DreamTree’s NEST shelter. They provided 150 shower passes for unhoused/insufficiently housed people, raised money to cover 35 pay-

it-forward meals at Trujillo’s Diner, found funds for delivery of a cord of firewood and to buy 45 microchip scanners, one for each officer in the Taos County Sheriff’s Office and additional volunteers. And that is just the beginning of the good services that Mutual Aid has provided. During the recent crisis with SNAP funding, Mutual Aid gathered $4,400 to distribute grocery cards to 33 vulnerable individuals and families. “It was a tipping point for the effort,”

Good works

Recently, the temperatures hovered near zero degrees and a local man was without propane for heat or cooking. He has a medical condition that makes the cold hard on him. “I come from cold country and I know what it’s like to be cold,” Aji says. Through the Facebook page, she organized the community and people stepped up to provide a ride for him to a local motel, get him a hot meal and connect him with social services so he could get the care he needs. Aji also recently organized efforts to get medication to a local man and to help pay for a child’s surgery out of state. Over the course of the last year and four months, the list of people she has helped connect to the assistance they need is long.

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Aji says. “This need energized people and it helped us reach a critical mass of people willing to help. If we can prevent the long-term effects of malnutrition for one child, that alone is worth doing.”

Words of admiration

Fellow activist Yamuna Devi, who also connects people with assistance through her Ask Taos Facebook page, says, “Aji is an incredible community member. She is a powerhouse at helping people raise funds for everything from emergency pet visits to human medical needs, along with helping to find housing and physical assistance. In spite of dealing with chronic

and severe medical issues, Aji pushes herself above and beyond helping to serve and meet the needs of our Taos community.” Jen Havens, who runs the animal rescue organization Taos Hound Underground, knows the impacts of her efforts firsthand. “Aji raised enough to get me a new transmission and tires so I can continue using my truck on the mesa for humane trapping and other transportation for our rescue needs,” Havens says. “Anytime the rescue has any need, she shares amongst her networks without me asking. All I have to do is post in the Mutual Aid Network and she takes care of the rest. Literally an angel in Taos.”

Walking a spiritual path

Aji follows a spiritual tradition that emphasizes humility and the obligation to serve generously so that no one gets left behind. She’s glad to be part of the work, but says, “What would be more satisfying is to have a society that was truly functional, so that it wasn’t needed; so that everyone could survive and thrive without having to worry about a roof, food, heat or children’s well-being. But it’s always rewarding to know that we’ve helped one more person make it, and those successes have a way of inspiring people to pitch in with this work.”

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Joshua Berman

Mary Domito: The heart behind the hustle By Haven Lindsay

ary Domito didn’t wait for permission. Not from a college, not from a boss, not from her family, and

not from the idea that success requires following a single, preapproved path. She started where she was, with what she had, learning as she went and trusting that consistency would lay the foundation for the life she wanted. In Taos, where resources can be limited, her story is a reminder there are many ways to build a meaningful life. Domito’s impact is less about the size of her business than the way she shows up each day. It’s visible in the trust she places in her employees and the care she brings to the people she meets, including the dogs she has rescued over the years. Every radio ad for Taos Lifestyle ends with a simple line: “No one loves you like we do.” For Domito, that care is not a marketing strategy; it’s how she operates, both at work and in the community. Born and raised in California, Domito moved to Taos after visiting on vacation. She says she felt drawn to the mountain and decided to make Taos her home. Her family was hesitant at first, concerned about the move, but supported her. Her two older sisters later relocated to New Mexico, and her mother visited and came to appreciate her youngest daughter’s connection to Taos.

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A sincere congratulations to all of this year’s Women of Impact.

TATIVE

SEN REPRE E T A T S

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Mary gets into the Halloween spirit. / COURTESY PHOTO

“My mother passed in March 2010,” Mary adds. “I was so grateful she was able to make a couple visits to Taos. She loved the Saint Francis church, got to enjoy Christmas Eve at the Pueblo, and got to see me happily married with a thriving business.” With more determination than fear, Domito opened Sleep Sanctuary, a small mattress store, stepping into the unknown with quiet confidence. “A friend asked me ‘what happens if you fail?’,” Domito reflected. “I thought, well, I’ll be broke, but I can always start over. I can always earn a living in sales. And then she asked, ‘what happens if you succeed?’, and I just smiled and realized that all my dreams might just come true.” Domito started her business at 46, an age when many people hesitate to begin something new. Two years later she married artist Mark Gould, who she says has supported her vision. Together, with their dogs, they’ve built a life in Taos that blends work with adventure. Domito does not have a college degree, but she chose action over waiting for a traditional path. Whether she’s supporting an animal rescue, hosting a concert at Mary’s Place or helping customers, she focuses on consistency and care. Domito now owns Taos Lifestyle, a destination store with an art gallery and concert venue. By moving into the former El Taoseño building, she preserved a piece of town history. She also supports local organizations, including Spay Taos!, Stray Hearts and the Taos Center for the Arts, and she’s a regular presence at community concerts and events. Giving back is part of Domito’s routine. Her generosity is paired with a playful sense of humor. Some of her store billboards have featured lines meant to make people laugh, and her approach is as bold as it is personal. Domito is known for her Chuck Taylors and for not taking herself too seriously. Domito’s story is a reminder that leading with care can be bold, joyful and unapologetic dog hair and all.

Photo by Diggy Lloyd, Benthouse Creative Mary Domito with husband Mark Gould and one of their “fur babies.” 74

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Remembering

Janet Webb Bell

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The quiet force behind Taos’ creative identity

Courtesy Zoë Zimmerman Janet Webb Bell with her longtime partner, Larry Bell, in 1980.

By Ellen Miller-Goins

ome women leave their mark loudly. Others leave it everywhere. In this issue of Taos Woman, we pause to remember Janet Webb Bell, whose quiet, behind-the-scenes work helped define how Taos saw itself and how the world came to see Taos. Her influence shaped businesses, institutions and artists for decades, often without her name attached, making her absence a moment worthy of reflection and gratitude. Janet Ruth Webb Bell, a designer, business owner and arts advocate whose work helped shape how Taos presented itself to the world, died on Sunday June 16, 2024 surrounded by family members, according to reporting in the Taos News. She died the day before her 79th birthday, after a cancer diagnosis only a few weeks earlier, the Taos News reported. For decades, Webb Bell’s influence was everywhere — though her name often was not. Through Webb Design, the studio she built into a cornerstone of local visual communication, she created and refined the look of countless materials that carried Taos beyond Northern New Mexico, from posters and brochures to maps, exhibition catalogs and early websites for businesses, nonprofits and arts organizations. In a 2018 Taos News profile naming Webb Bell an Unsung Hero, reporter Jesse Moya wrote that “practically everyone in Taos was a client of Webb Design at some point,” with work serving hotels, ski resorts and churches as well as arts institutions. Webb Bell, speaking to Moya, described the practicality behind launching a business in a small town: “You start a business here just because there’s nobody to hire you,” she said. Even as her work supported promotion and tourism, Webb Bell pushed for what she considered more important than polish: authenticity. “I wanted Taos to be represented in a more authentic way than a lot of marketing people would do,” she said. Friends and colleagues remembered her as a generous collaborator and steady advocate for the arts. Wright Contemporary owner Ann Landi wrote in a

Janet Webb / Courtesy Zoë Zimmerman TAOSNEWS.COM/MAGAZINES/TAOS-WOMAN

From graphic design to the promotion of the arts, Webb spent her time in Taos ensuring the survival of the artistic feel of this historical town.

social media post quoted by the Taos News that Webb Bell was “a behind-the-scenes force of nature,” adding, “She will be hugely missed by so many.” Her daughter, Zara Bell, told the Taos News that Webb Bell stayed deeply engaged with the community through board service with the Taos Center for the Arts, the Society of the Muse of the Southwest (SOMOS), the Wurlitzer Foundation and the University of New Mexico’s Harwood Museum of Art, among other organizations. Harwood Executive Director Juniper Leherissey called Webb Bell “an amazing advocate and promoter of the arts in Taos,” and credited her with design work on catalogs, building the museum’s first website, support connected to the Judy Chicago exhibition, and ongoing advice “on how to elevate the arts in Taos.” SOMOS Executive Director Jan Smith told

the Taos News Webb Bell served on the board for 10 years and was instrumental in establishing a capital campaign that enabled SOMOS to purchase its building on Civic Plaza Drive. Her reach extended across the art community in ways that were both formal and personal. Former Webb Design employee Barbara Davis called Webb Bell “one of the best employers in town,” and said Webb Bell supported artists and designers through industry shifts in technology and practice. Davis also told the Taos News that Webb Bell “stood up and fought for the arts in Taos” while running “a successful, upscale, innovative business.” Webb Bell also played a foundational role in The PASEO Project. A small group gathered at Webb Design in 2013 to talk about community and art, and The PASEO was created soon after. Webb Bell hosted the first meeting, served on the festival team for three years, and continued as a board member for another five

MORGAN TIMMS/Taos News file photo

years. In recognition, The PASEO introduced the annual Janet Webb Community Engagement Award, the Taos News reported. Matt Thomas, executive director of The PASEO Project, told the Taos News he did not think the festival “would be where it is today without her trust, support, and belief in the idea and the people running it.” In the months before her death, Webb Bell was involved in community art efforts and new ideas, including work connected to a popup art happening at Cooper’s Garage, and a proposal for a book about women who helped shape the Taos arts community, Zara Bell told the Taos News. Janet Webb Bell is survived by her husband, Larry Bell; children Zara Bell, Rachel Bell-vom Dorp and Oliver Bell; and four grandchildren.

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