Glo Cunningham, Red Lady #12

Glo moved to Crested Butte in 1975 from Fort Lauderdale, FL when only 500 people lived in the city's limits. At the time the first mine threat, AMAX, wanted to move 8,000 people into the town for the sole purpose to develop an open-pit mine that would effectively demolish the mountain we know today as Red Lady. With this shocking news Glo, and other devoted community members decided to take a stand through Red.

Taking a stand through Red means “Always representing at any time we could” to Glo. She hoped that in their lifetime, all the people who made that devotion to Save Red Lady back in the 70s, could see their precious mountain be saved. Glo recognizes the importance of all issues that encompass the mine fight; access to public lands, water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, protection of old growth forests, etc. This list of reasons why Red Lady is special to Glo goes on and on. The mine fight was, and still is, a constant — in her mind, heart, and soul. “A fight for your community can be exhausting”, she expresses, but her devotion contues.

Glo hopes Crested Butte will keep with traditions that drive what makes this community special, as it showcases that they care, and will continue to keep doing what needs to be done. “Non-profits are the heart and soul of our community, and is what makes true differences”, she explained. It is the people who love and care that will continue to strive these differences. HCCA being a part of this, “is a solid core of what this community really is” Glo stated. As things change, our 12th Red Lady hope that new comers will keep the integrity of our town, and aim to learn about why thing are they way they are.

Glo coined the term “Once a Red Lady, Always a Red Lady”. She has really shown throughout the years that this is whole and true. Thank you Glo for your continued dedication toward advocacy for our beloved Lady in Red.

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