[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 170 (Wednesday, September 29, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1043]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE ``WOMEN WHO SOAR'' IN THE DENVER METRO COMMUNITY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON CROW

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 29, 2021

  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Maria Bales, Heidi Ganahl, and Dr. Shauna Gulley who 
will be honored by the Northwest Douglas County Chamber & Economic 
Development Corporation as ``Women Who Soar.''
  Each year, the Northwest Douglas County Chamber & Economic 
Development Corporation recognizes three women in the Denver Metro 
Community who inspire our community and are blazing the path for future 
generations.
  Maria Bales has been recognized as a ``Woman Who Soars'' because of 
her strength in turning heartbreak into inspiration. In 2016, while a 
sophomore at Arapahoe High School, her son Nick Bales started Brought 
to Reality (BTR) to bring awareness to teen mental health and end the 
stigma surrounding mental illness. Tragically, on September 29, 2018, 
Nick took his own life. After her son's passing, Maria made it her 
mission to continue Nick's work and fight each day to spare other 
parents, siblings, and friends from feeling how her family did. As a 
survivor of incredible adversity in the face of the unthinkable, she 
used that same adversity to inspire and help others. That strength 
makes her truly deserving of such an honor.
  Heidi Ganahl has been recognized as a ``Woman Who Soars'' because of 
her entrepreneurial success. She is the founder of the recently 
launched women's lifestyle brand SheFactor but is best known as the 
founder of Camp Bow Wow, where she turned a lifelong passion for dogs 
into the largest pet care franchise in the world. She's passionate 
about giving back and in 2013 founded the Fight Back Foundation, a 
charity to positively tackle the most pressing issues facing our kids 
today.
  Dr. Shauna Gulley has been recognized as a ``Woman Who Soars'' 
because of her exemplary leadership and exceptional background, 
knowledge, expertise, and record of success in bettering our community. 
Dr. Gulley provides strategic direction to Centura Health in its 
mission to build whole person care and flourishing communities. Her 
work focuses on optimizing clinical quality and patient safety, 
building world-class clinical service lines, and promoting an agile, 
team-based culture at the forefront of all they do.
  From overcoming incredible adversity to showcasing exemplary 
leadership in medicine and business, this year's recipients have made a 
lasting impact on those around them and in our community. It is leaders 
like these three women who will allow us to achieve a more prosperous 
and inclusive future and I congratulate them all on being recognized as 
``Women Who Soar.''

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