March 11, 2016
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‘Strong Sisters’ film celebrates pioneers The red-carpet event attracts VIPs from across the state
By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com “Strong Sisters,” a documentary directed by two Centennial residents, sheds light on 70 elected women in Colorado through personal accounts and an archive of photographs. One of the subjects is 96-year-old Laura Miller, who served in the Colorado House of Representatives in Jefferson County from 1971-76. “It was a great adventure,” she said at the film’s premiere on March 6. “There are not many women that I served with left.” Miller attended one of two showings at Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on South Santa Fe Drive in Littleton with her granddaughter, grandson-in-law and two great-granddaughters.
The anticipated documentary had about 190 guests at the first viewing and 150 at the second. Young volunteers sported purple shirts that read, “When the going gets rough, they know I’m not the weak sister”— a quote by Ruth Stockton, who served in the Colorado House from 1961 to 1964 and the state Senate from 1965 to 1984. Directors Laura Hoeppner and Meg Froelich spent three years making “Strong Sisters,” which tells the stories of Colorado’s elected women and explores why there hasn’t been a female governor, U.S. senator or Denver mayor. Their next step is getting the movie out there, they said, especially in classrooms. “Phase one is done,” Hoeppner said. “Now it’s time to move on to phase two and three — we need to preserve this oral history.” Hoeppner and Froelich met in graduate school at the University of Michigan and shared a passion for history. Froelich Sisters continues on Page 5
From left, former Sen. Gloria Tanner, the first African-American woman to serve in the state Senate; Anna Jo Haynes, founding chairwoman of the Denver Public Schools/City of Denver Ready to Succeed Early Childhood Council; and Rep. Rhonda Fields, D-Aurora, at the “Strong Sisters” premiere on March 6. Photo by Alex DeWind
WHAT’S INSIDE
Democracy in action: Democrats and Republicans participate in caucuses. See Page 2
Graham Saiz, left, and Tracy Sellard perform in a unified pairs skating event at the Special Olympics State Winter Games at South Suburban Ice Arena on March 5. Photos by Alex DeWind
Special athletes shine on ice
Grounds for concern?: Machines that use pods to brew coffee create waste that can be difficult to recycle. See Page 12
Competitors show off their skills in ice skating at South Suburban arena By Alex DeWind adewind@coloradocommunitymedia.com Gina Rea, 23, has skated with Special Olympics of Colorado since she was 8 years old. “She looks forward to it all the time,” said her father, Tim. “And she’s competitive — she wants to win.” Rea, of Littleton, was one of 30 athletes to compete in figure and speed skating at the 2016 State Winter Games Skating Competition on March 5 at South Suburban Ice Arena in Centennial. Athletes with intellectual disabilities competed alone or beside a unified partner, individuals without intellectual disabilities who train and compete as a teammate to a Special Olympics Ice continues on Page 11
Sofia Daley, left, and Gina Rea perform to a melodic Colbie Caillat song at the Special Olympics State Winter Games at South Suburban Ice Arena. Rea, 23, started skating when she was 7 years old.
Crunch time: Teams face off in final rounds of state playoff tournament. See Page 22