Nancy Wicks, Red Lady #27

I was the 27th Red Lady back in 2004, I was in umpteen 4th of July parades and a few Flauschink parades over the last two decades. I made almost all of the Red Lady Balls up until I got cancer in 2021. When I was done with treatment which I did in Iowa, I came back for a visit in Crested Butte in October of 2021. My heart was filled up with Red Lady JOY when Mallika hosted a dance party for me in her front yard at the corner of 5th and Whiterock. So many Red Ladies showed up in full Red Lady Ball attire and we had a fabulous dance party in the grass. Boogying down with my Red Lady Sisters was the best medicine! All the hugs and well wishes will be forever cherished.

I no longer live in the Gunnison Valley, but am just two hours away in the North Fork Valley and I'll keep coming over for the Red Lady Ball whenever I can.

The Red Lady is the Mother Mountain of Crested Butte and I am so glad I got to be a little part of saving her from the pillage of mining. I can't remember the exact year, maybe 2004, when we handed out little fliers made to look like $5 bills during the 4th of July parade because the USFS was going to sell off land for $5/acre! I'm so proud of the long and sustained battle HCCA has waged to save our Mother, Red Lady!

All the best in RED,

Nancy Wicks

Red Lady #27

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