b'March 2024Continuing the Legacy.About the Author: Honorable Victoria Buckley: Colorados First Black Woman in Statewide Office Maya Wheeler is the Executive Director and Founder oftheWezeshaDadaCenter(WDC),dedicatedto ThelateHonorableVictoriaVikkiBuckley,whoseempoweringhistoricallyexcludedwomenandgirls resilienceandtrailblazingspiritledherfromclerk- underservedacrossColorado.Stemmingfromthe typist to the Secretary of State of Colorado, deservesSwahiliphraseempoweringsisters,WDCsmission a moment of reflection. Her historic election in 1994,istofostereconomicsuccess,enhancewell-being, making her the first Black woman in Colorado to hold aanddrivepositivecommunitychangethrough statewide office, continues to echo through the annalscomprehensiveinitiativeslikeeducationandskill of our states political history. In remembering her, wedevelopment,healthandwell-being,economic pay homage to a woman whose contributions pavedempowerment, and community building. Learn more the way for others. Hon. Buckleys impactful leadershipat yourwdc.org.includedstreamliningtheSecretaryofStatesoffice, leavinganindeliblemarkonthestatespolitical landscape. Honorable Edna Mosley: Shaping Civil Rights, Finance,BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS Education, and Gang Intervention in ColoradoFOR WOMEN OF COLOR IN The late Honorable Edna Wilson-Mosley, a trailblazer inBUSINESScivil rights, finance, and community leadership, has left an indelible mark on our state. Her visionary approachInvest in education and mentorshipto racial equity, from founding The Womens Bank (nowThis can help women of color develop their skills, Colorado Business Bank) in 1975 to influencing positiveconfidence, and overcome obstacles. It can change in various spheres, has created a lasting legacy.also help encourage leadership development, Aswereflectonhercontributions,weacknowledgeprofessional growth, and participation in decision-awomanwhoseimpactcontinuestoreverberatemaking processes.through initiatives like the Edna and John W. Mosley P-8 school and the John and Edna Mosley Scholarship Fund.Create supportive communitiesNotably, she played a crucial role in gang interventionWomen of color in entrepreneurship can actively programs,steeringtroubledyouthtowardspositiveseek out and create their own supportive paths. Hon. Mosley also made history as the first Blackcommunities. This can involve joining professional Aurora City Council member, breaking barriers in localnetworks and organizations that focus on governance. promoting diversity and inclusion.Honorable Gloria Tanner: A Trailblazer in Politics andCommit to your own successEqualityThere are many business training, seminars, and resources for entrepreneurial Black women. By FromAtlanta,Georgia,tobecomingthefirstAfricancommitting to your own development and learning American woman to serve as a Colorado state senatorfrom your peers, youll open yourself up to exciting in1994,thelateHonorableGloriaTannersjourneyopportunities.reflectsacommitmenttojusticethatwithstands thetestoftime.HerlegacylivesonnotonlyintheCreate a mentorship programlegislativeachievementsbutintheempowermentYour organization should be taking concrete shechampionedthroughtheSenatorGloriaTannersteps to ensure women are provided with a safe, Leadership and Training Institute for Future Black Womenequitable, and inclusive workplace environment.Leaders of Colorado, established in 2000. Hon. Tanners work touched on civil rights, workplace discrimination,Address systemic barriersparental rights, and workers compensation, making herThrough representation, accessible resources, a trailblazer in Colorados political landscape. Her impacteducation, and addressing systemic barriers, we wassolidifiedwithherinductionintotheColoradocan pave the way for future generations of women.Womens Hall of Fame in 2002. Follow us on 4'