​​​​​​​​​​Harley’s Dream co-founder, Rudi Taylor, was recently honored, along with 11 other women, as a Women of Vision by the Colorado Women of Influence Foundation. Rudi was recognized for her years of work educating and spreading awareness about the cruel commercial dog breeding industry, also known as puppy mills. During the awards ceremony, Rudi was singled out for having made a difference on an even higher level … she was given the “Woman of Inspiration” award as well!  She received a beautiful bouquet of roses and a framed certificate inscribed with the words of Mahatma Gandi, “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

“I was very honored to be chosen as one of the 2019 Women of Vision and I was especially honored to have received the Woman of Inspiration award as well! Harley’s Dream was truly a dream – a vision – to memorialize the life of a tiny one-eyed dog and continue his work to end puppy mills. Harley’s legacy lives on in the hearts of thousands of volunteers across the US and around the world who work daily to end the suffering. Knowing that the hard work inspired by this tiny little hero has been recognized in this way makes me so proud.” – Rudi Taylor

In addition to Rudi Taylor, the following women were also honored as 2019 Colorado Women of Vision for their inspirational work in their professional and volunteer endeavors.

• Ann Yanagi, M.D. – Instrumental in creating the SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) program and the UCHealth Cancer and Hematology Center, Founder of the Health and Wellness Community Orchestra.
• Carol Ann Hixon – Ft. Collins – Patron, volunteer and fundraiser of the Arts: Sponsor of ArtWear Fashion Week at the Lincoln Center to raise funds to support the Lincoln Center Art Gallery, endowed the Hixon Family Scholarship at CSU for students majoring in English, dance, or art.
• Danette Haag – After living through/with a traumatic burn injury as a child, Danette became an inspirational speaker for Soul on Fire-Beauty from Ashes.
• Debbie Baker, Ph.D. – Retired after 28 years in Air Force, Debbie attained her doctorate in counseling and developed Greeley’s first Grief Center.
• Floris “Flo” Mikkelson – Lifetime advocate for Seniors and a tireless volunteer with Greeley/Weld Senior Foundation, Weld County Area Agency on Aging Senior Nutrition Committee and the Senior Center Advisory Committee.
• Holly Petitt – In 2008 Holly created the nonprofit, Africa Bags, to help women in villages in Malawi learn a skill and earn an income by making beautiful tote bags. Today, 3,000 to 4,000 bags a year are sold through Africa Bags.
• Ilene Wical – Founding board member in 1967 of the Larimer Humane Society, later becoming the first shelter manager and then executive director.
• Jacki Marsh – Lifetime advocate for women’s participation in sports and one of the first elite female athletes in distance running; entrepreneur, political activist, Mayor of Loveland.
• JoAn Hopkins – Founded Sexual Assault Victims Advocates group (SAVA), the Northern Colorado Sexual Assault Task Force, a Fort Collins chapter of Families Anonymous, and the Center for Abused Women.
• Meredith Hodges – Founder of the Colorado Mule and Donkey Society. Author of six books, producer of 48 television episodes and ten DVDs on “Training Mules and Donkeys;” creator of the Jasper the Mule series of children’s books and movies. Lifetime Sponsor by Hearts & Horses, and awarded “Champion for Children” by Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County.
• Ruth Alexander, Ph.D. – ​First female tenure-track faculty member in CSU’s history department, becoming chair of the department in 1999. A well-published author and historian of race, gender, and sexuality in the United States. She is a Faculty Council Chair of the Public Lands History Center at CSU.

About the Colorado Women of Influence Foundation
The Colorado Women of Influence Foundation is a professional organization for women that focuses on developing, organizing, and promoting activities that educate, encourage, support, and enhance the growth of women in business.