Celebrating Utah’s Women | Part 2
As a business with many successful, talented and motivated women, Mountain West Cider will be celebrating the power of Utah’s women leaders throughout the month. We will feature successful Utah women who have risen up, and have made a real difference in their fields and in their communities.
Amy Fowler — Salt Lake City Council Member, District 7
When Amy was 10-years-old, she told her mom that she would find a cure for AIDS. Not every little girl has such ambitious thoughts at that young age. But Amy was different. She remembers watching all 60 minutes of an AIDS-focused news show, and was set to serve in some way or another. Even becoming the President was on her mind!
After college in Seattle, Amy eventually moved back to Salt Lake City to get her law degree at the U, and became a public defender. It was at that time, that she really started to serve her community. She says, “I can remember that moment like it was yesterday. I had quit a lucrative job because I felt like there I wasn’t giving back. And, one of my first clients as a public defender was a young African-American man. He insisted that he had done nothing wrong, and against advice from others, I promised him that I would take his case to trial. It ended up getting dismissed. But, the point was that I felt like someone, someone who had felt that no one would listen to him or have his back realized that I did. I was there for him and I was going to fight for him. I like to think that he is out there in the world giving back in his own way. That experience naturally led me to running for office. I believe that people deserve a voice, and that we elect people to be that voice. It made sense to run for office, to listen to people, understand their concerns, and do what I can to make their voice heard.”
Amy didn’t just come to her love of serving without role models. She explains her mom is one who taught her everything, who is way smarter than she is, and is strong, independent, generous, kind and full of compassion. She also really looks up to Dr. Marie Curie, Amy’s first heroine, and Michelle Obama who is smart, funny, empowering and just herself.
Amy Fowler can’t wait to see what the future holds, and how she can be part of focusing on real issues in our city. One thing you might not know? She has several tattoos and likely plans on getting more. Way to be yourself, Amy!
Cherie Wood — Mayor, South Salt Lake
Mayor Wood was somewhat destined to become a public servant, as her mother was the assistant to the South Salt Lake Mayor too. She taught Cherie the importance of being active in the community. And then, as a natural process of career decisions, she started working for the City of South Salt Lake when she was just 19 years old. As Cherie moved up, she eventually became Chief of Staff, then Mayor of South Salt Lake in 2010.
Even though serving came naturally to her, Cherie says that public speaking at one time, scared her to death. “I almost passed out during my first State of the City address eight years ago,” she says. When Mayor Gray called her into his office after announcing his plans not to run again, he told her that she should run. She thought he was crazy and told him so. After a few days consideration, Cherie really felt strongly about serving her community, and just put one foot in front of the other. She went for it.
And now, South Salt Lake is a thriving, diverse, and growing city that continues to impress. Progress includes a new downtown area along State Street, a new WinCo, new condos and homes along the S-Line corridor, and the completion of Parley’s Trail. They even have The Pie Pizzeria!
Mayor Wood believes in standing up for what you believe in and living by your values — regardless of opposing views or fear of rocking the boat. “Great things never came from comfort zones,” she says. Cherie also looks up to Michelle Obama, citing her “strong character and her efforts to fight poverty, inequality, and championing courage and self-esteem for women. She was adamant in her claim that the power of the individual is paramount, and why you shouldn’t underestimate your ability to inspire real change in your community.”
Something unexpected from Cherie? She and her boys take care of and love two pit bulls, and the Mayor has an uncanny ability to remember people’s names, faces, and where they live. Some in the city even call her the “Rain Man.”
Join Us
Join us for our celebration of these wonderful women, and toast to National Women’s History Month! Feel free to bring the special women you want to celebrate, and of course the men who support them are also welcome.
A Cider Toast For Utah’s Women!
Tuesday, March 27, 2018
5:30-7:30pm | Mountain West Cider
425 N. 400 W., Salt Lake City, UT