Gleason rocks into WOW honors

The nomination letters poured into the Women Honoring Women Committee. They spoke of selflessness and civic pride. They mentioned innovation, creativity, dedication and generosity. They named Carolyn Gleason, and the WHW has chosen to honor her as a 2016 Woman of Wisdom.

Others chosen this year are Leata Judd, Marguerite Suttmeier, Ruth Wimberly and Brenda Hammond.

Gleason grew up in Hope, graduated from Clark Fork High School and attended the University of Idaho before she cut her teeth in the restaurant business when she went to work for The Garden Restaurant.

When her father tragically passed away, when she was only 14, she took on the leadership responsibility of being the “second parent” to her then 6-month-old sister.

Cheryl Gleason wrote, “Overcoming adversity, Carolyn Gleason was instantly thrust into a leadership role whether she wanted it or not … I learned quickly that ‘if you are going to do something, do it well’ … ‘always leave things better than you found them,’ ‘do more than is expected of you by others,’ and my favorite, ‘never take the last Pepsi without replacing it.’”

In her nomination letter, Donna Deshon wrote, “Carolyn has fed the hungry when no one knew that those needy people existed. She did it on her own time and money and didn’t tell anyone that she was doing it. The list of her deeds far exceeds what anyone would or could imagine.”

True that. Most people know that Lost in the '50s was Gleason’s brain child. In 1986 she thought it would be fun to have a car show and dance to raise money for the Festival at Sandpoint. Gleason had been involved with the Festival as board member and the hospitality coordinator. Starting with a hand full of muscle machines and a small dance, Lost in the '50s has become a stand-alone event that’s grown into a parade of over 600 cars and four days of old fashioned Rock ‘n’ Roll that kicks off the summer season.

“Fifties gives back to the community by supporting various youth organizations by paying them to help out during that weekend, as well as helping other groups who turn out to make money at the event,” Deshon wrote. “This event she created has lasted 30 years and has brought millions of dollars to the Sandpoint area every spring.”

As the owner of 2nd Avenue Pizza, Gleason has employed and mentored many of the area’s youth.

“I first met Carolyn in 1996, a young, just out of high school kid needing a job,” wrote Erik Ridley. “I thought working for 2nd Avenue Pizza would be just a gig for me. Carolyn didn’t hire me right away, she made me earn my job which taught me to be persistent and follow through to get what I want in life. These qualities, although Carolyn may not know it, have taken me further in life than many other lessons anyone has every taught me.”

The 2016 Women of Wisdom will be honored at a Gala Luncheon hosted by the Women Honoring Women Committee on Saturday, June 18 at 11:00 a.m. at Tango Café in the Columbia Bank Building. Contact Diane Stockton for reservations at 208-290-6362 or at stockton_diane@yahoo.com.

To be nominated for Woman of Wisdom, a candidate must be 65 years or older. She demonstrates vision, collaboration, leadership, grace, courage, integrity and a love of learning. She shows a commitment to the Bonner County community and has had a positive impact on it. She is an inspiration to others and an example for future generations of women.

The 2016 Women Honoring Women committee members are: Kari Saccomanno, chair; Diane Arrants; Kathy Chambers; Patti Clemons; Kathy Conger; Barbara Eacret; Phyllis Foro; Deanna Harris; Alana Hatcher; Bette Heffner; Kathy Hubbard; Julie Jurenka; Pat Lewis; Sally Lowry; Laurie Mattila, Jeralyn Mire; Marlene Rorke; Sandy Ross; Patty Schwartz; Joyce Smith; Diane Stockton; Sally Transue and Linda Van Dellen.