AROUND TOWN: Lindy Conter 2012 'Making Democracy Work' winner

For its sixth annual “Making Democracy Work” Awards, the League of Women Voters of the Pikes Peak Region pulled together a power-packed list of candidates from throughout the community.

Nominees were ages 40 and above and had made major contributions to the community.

They improved civic life in many ways, said emcee and last year’s winner Dee Sabol. Nominees are not league members.

The candidates:

Martha Barton, health care advocate and president/CEO of Pikes Peak Hospice and Palliative Care. “A leader in local health care, including the expansion of hospice, for more than 24 years.”

Lindy Conter, activist for girls’ and women’s rights, education and economic self-sufficiency. “A co-founder of the Pikes Peak Women’s Coalition, and has organized events and support for equal-pay-for women legislation. She tutors those seeking citizenship and teaches English as a Second Language.”

Aimee Cox, Colorado Springs City Council Liaison and Manitou Springs community leader. “Has worked to ensure quality outdoor spaces in and around Manitou Springs. An analyst, she gets into the nuts and bolts of civic life.”

Jan Doran, community leader, advocate for citizen and neighborhood involvement in the political process.”Director Emeritus of the Council of Neighbors and Organizations,. Has encouraged neighborhood groups to develop a process to address issues, advocate positions, and educate and inform citizens. She shows what it means to reinvest herself.”

Ann Finke, golf leader, instructor, role model and mentor for youth. “A tireless role model through her own passion for learning, dedication to the sport and kindness to fellow competitors. Ann has served as president of the Pikes Peak Junior Association and grown its scholarship fund and actively worked with an initiative to teach golf to soldiers’ children.”

Vikki Walton, grant writer and volunteer, engaged with nonprofit groups to foster community initiatives. A volunteer with the Peakharmonic Youth Orchestra, she has partnered with nonprofits “to help them better realize their missions through needed funding.”

Named the 2012 winner at a Feb. 16 reception was Lindy Conter. Said Sabol, “If there’s an organization in Colorado with the word women in its name, Lindy is involved.”

Serving on the awards selection committee were Charlotte Gagne, Judy Gerba, Betsy Sobral and Kathy O’Donnell. The event committee: Mary Alice Ayling, Maureen Jeter, Charles Merritt, Julie Ott and Carol Scott.