Muriel Tew, 2010 Woman of the Year Muriel Tew was born and raised in Idaho. She met her husband in the 3rd grade and they have been best friends ever since. She and Bruce raised and home schooled 6 children. Their family has grown and they now have 16 grandchildren. While going to School she was drill mistress of the Drill Team and involved in many organizations. Out of High School Muriel began her career in Cosmetology. She had her license and practiced  in Idaho, Utah and Texas. She worked as a copy marking specialist for Seminaries and Institutes of Religion in the art department working with several languages. She raised her children while working with her husband, Bruce in many facets of life. They were written up in the Wall Street Journal for their success in Property Tax Consulting. They have owned a Construction Company and three different Lumber yards, in Idaho, Arizona and Texas. Muriel has worked with her husband in taking care of all books and paperwork dealing with a data base of several thousand clients. They also owned, manufactured and distributed game machines across the country. Muriel moved from Texas to Colorado in 1993  and the family began to build Steel Buildings up and down the front range. It was a family business that they all enjoyed. When the boys all started moving away to go to school and get married Bruce and Muriel made the move to Pre-Paid Legal Services. Muriel was very involved with her children in 4H while living in Gardner, Colorado teaching crocheting and helping with their projects, horses, sheep, rabbits, chickens, cooking, and sewing. Muriel loves helping families have affordable access to the Justice System and helping business’s grow and develop. She has reached the level of Gold Executive Director and is Regional Manager for Southern Colorado. BWN has been an incredible organization to belong to and associate with other Women and Men. It’s an honor to be Woman of the Year, especially in 2010 for the 25th Anniversary. _____________________________________________________________________ Fran Brodin, 2009 Woman of the Year Fran Brodin was born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado.  She has many fond summertime memories of growing up within her Minnequa Club “family”, where she enjoyed water skiing and participating on the swim team.  She continued to be surrounded by friends and family in the wintertime where they enjoyed down hill and cross country skiing in Breckenridge, Colorado.  She feels extremely lucky to have grown up within a fun, loving family that taught her about balancing work and play as well as the importance of reaching out to others.             Fran graduated from Central High School in 1982.  She was the editor of the high school annual for 2 years, Junior Class President, manager of the boys swim team and graduated with a silver cord. Her greatest high school memories come from the camaraderie of her girls swim team “family”. She appreciates the early wisdom she gained about the value of being a team player.             Her senior year, she had the opportunity to learn about biofeedback and stress management.  She followed this path and became certified in biofeedback in 1987 at Aims Community College in Greeley Colorado.  She went on to get her Bachelors at Metropolitan State College in Denver and is currently working on her Masters through Adams State College’s Pueblo cohort program. She has had her practice in biofeedback, Healthy Solutions Biofeedback Therapy, since 1989 and her office is currently located at the Dorcy Cancer Center at St. Mary Corwin where she can reminisce about the “good ole’ days” of  fun and friendship when she gets a frequent glimpse of Lake Minnequa, across the street from the hospital.               She is also the Healing Arts Coordinator for the Healing Arts Program that is funded by the hospital and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. She and the healing arts “family” are committed to bridging the gap between traditional medicine and holistic health in our community.             Fran’s greatest joy comes from being with her beautiful and talented daughter, Chelsea.  She is 14 years old and a freshman at East High School where she brings a smile to everyone’s face by her quick wit and warm personality.               Fran would like to thank everyone within the BWN “family” for being instrumental in giving her the tools to find the, inner strength to become the strong, spirited woman she was meant to be. ________________________________________________________________________ Nancy Trautman, 2008 Woman of the Year Behind the workings of BWN, you will find this years "Woman of the Year" Nancy Trautman. With her attention to details and keeping track of all the women in the network group, she has became a great asset. Nancy will continue to be part of BWN now and in the future. Nancy began working in her teens as a dish washer in her home town of Syracuse, Kansas. She later was a waitress and also worked as a bookkeeper for the Syracuse Sales Commission. After marrying, moving to Wyoming, and beginning a family, Nancy was hired as a part time clerk in the US Postal Service. She was promoted to regular clerk and eventually became a Postmaster. Nancy worked for the Postal Service for 30 years, retiring in 2003. Nancy spent 23 years in Wyoming and 7 years in Colorado with the Postal Service. During her time as Postmaster, she was named Postmaster of the Year for Wyoming in 1989 and for Colorado in 1999. Nancy also received the "Spirit" award from Colorado's National League of Postmasters in 1999. Nancy continues to be active in the Retired League Postmasters organization. She was elected a National vice-president in 2007. As an officer she travels to several state conventions promoting the Retired League Postmasters and giving retirement seminars. Nancy moved to Pueblo West in July 2003. Deciding that retirement did not mean being idle, Nancy started selling clothing in 2004 for Weekenders, USA. Nancy continued to sell clothing until May 2008. Now Nancy has began a new chapter in her life. She is giving retirement seminars as a consultant. Her business is Retirement Unlimited. In her words, "It is never too soon to plan for retirement". ________________________________________________________________________ PREVIOUS HONOREES: Nancy Trautman 2008 Carla Barela 2007 Cheryl K. Dionese 2006 Pat Saulters 2005 Ernestine Thomas 2004 Rita Friberg 2003 Virginia Hanning 2002 Priscilla Lucero 2001 Carol Ann Bronko 2000 Karen Gladney 1999 Blenda B. Brocco 1998 MaryAnn Thompson 1996 Doris Kester 1995 Kay Singleton 1994 Linda Roof 1993 Micci Smith 1992 Antoinette Torres-Janke 1991 Kathy Farley 1990 Sharon Borton 1989 Dianne Porter 1988