[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 147 (Tuesday, September 13, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     RECOGNIZING THE WOMEN WHO SOAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON CROW

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2022

  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, it is my honor today to recognize the 
accomplishments of Mary Kraft, Sylvia Waller, and Polly Letofsky 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.
  Mary Kraft has been recognized as a ``Woman Who Soars'' because in 
the face of a multitude of struggles, she harnessed innovation and 
technology to advance her farm's capabilities. Her and her husband used 
an innovative approach to nurture their Blue Toothed cows--growing the 
herd from 200 to 6,000. Mary held the first leadership role by a woman 
and eventually became President of American Agriculture at the Colorado 
Livestock Association.
  Sylvia Waller has been recognized as a ``Woman Who Soars'' by 
challenging and changing the standard of beauty. At the age of 62, she 
became the first African American in 32 years to be crowned Mrs. 
Colorado. Sylvia believes beauty has no age, shape, or color, rather it 
is found in the heart and spirit. Sylvia is a passionate Volunteer 
Community Educator for the Alzheimer's Association, using her personal 
experience as a caretaker for her father who suffered from dementia to 
help promote services for individuals and families dealing with the 
disease.
  Polly Letofsky has been recognized as a ``Woman Who Soars'' because 
of her efforts to support authors who self-publish their work. She 
founded My Word Publishing which disrupted the publishing world by 
helping authors professionally self-publish their books while 
maintaining 100 percent of their rights. Since its inception, Polly's 
business has grown into a publishing library of 750 books and 
representing authors from 14 countries.
  From using innovative methods in farming to creating a publishing 
house for self-publishing authors, 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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