October 2025 | Issue No. 65

Hello and welcome to my October newsletter, I'm so glad you're here! October is one of my favorite months and always feels like a season of celebration to me. Balloon Fiesta fills the skies with color, crisp Autumn breezes are beginning to drift in, I just celebrated a birthday, and it's National Women's Small Business Month. With all of this energy in the air, I'm excited to spotlight a program that embodies that same spirit. 

I am endlessly inspired by the strength, resilience and vision of women, and love celebrating their accomplishments by sharing the stories of our local (S)heroes. This month, I’m excited to highlight a program that is not only unique to New Mexico, but also profoundly important to the way we honor women’s legacies-the New Mexico Historic Women Marker Program. I am fortunate to have recently spent time getting to know Program Manager Kris Pettersen, who shared the past, present, and future of the incredible work being done to preserve our history through the lives of some pretty amazing women who've called New Mexico home.  

new mexico historic women marker program

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

The history of this program is woven with the vision, grit, and often quiet power of everyday women, like the women memorialized on markers around the state. You've probably seen historic markers while traveling throughout the U.S., celebrating people who made contributions to their local communities. The Official Scenic Historic Markers national program has been in place since 1935, but in 2005 Pat French made the observation that with nearly 500 markers across New Mexico, women had been all but overlooked. She feared women were disappearing from history-their voices absent, their stories fading into silence. That realization became a spark-igniting a movement unique to New Mexico, dedicated to lifting women’s contributions out of the shadows and into the enduring landscape of our history.

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

Through the focused and cooperative efforts of many organizers, volunteers and sponsors, there are now approximately 100 roadside markers telling the stories of a cross-section of female role models including "artists, activists, educators, entrepreneurs, lawyers, healers, politicians, grandmothers, gamblers, visionaries, thinkers, leaders."

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

While preserving and celebrating the role of women in history was the program's first and defining mission, with nearly 100 markers now honoring more than 120 women, the vision has expanded. The work is far from finished, and you're invited to join the next chapter! This new chapter now turns toward the present and future, embracing the legacies of contemporary women and the future generations yet to come.  

educate. inspire. empower.

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

Let me take a moment to share some of the core goals:

Do you see ways that you'd like to get involved?  

Operating under the Department of Cultural Affairs, the program's future is rooted in education and the power of awareness, ensuring that the stories of New Mexico's women are not only remembered but actively shared. Partnerships with libraries across the state bring these histories to life through outreach programs and curated book collections, inviting readers of all ages to discover the women who helped shape our communities. Striking seven-foot banners, available for schools and local organizations, serve as bold storytellers. They transform classrooms, civic gatherings, and community events into spaces of dialogue and reflection. Are you planning a neighborhood celebration, hosting a civic meeting, or engaging with the next generation? These banners offer more than visual impact: they spark conversation, inspire pride, and provide unforgettable moments for both memory and media. Please contact your local library for more information about reserving them for your next event. 

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

You can make a difference, too!

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

An opportunity to celebrate New Mexico's women artists is ongoing through January 2026 at SITE Santa Fe. The curated exhibit Once Within a Time brings together the stories of some of the women honored on the historic markers, alongside others whose legacies continue to shape our communities. If you’re drawn to art, like me, this is an exploration of our local (S)heroes through the eyes of more than seventy local, national and international artists responding to over twenty influential female figures as muses. Once Within a Time was conceived as a family album, a creative tapestry that celebrates the women who have left their mark on Santa Fe and beyond. Stepping into this exhibit is more than just an artistic experience; it’s also an invitation to reflect on our own impact within the context of art and history. 

Photo provided by NM Historic Women Marker Program

The Fall Albuquerque real estate market is in full swing! Can you believe we are in the final quarter of 2025!? Buyer activity has picked up, which is standard for those wanting to get settled before the holidays. If you are hoping to sell your home this year, there is still time. Give me a call today to take advantage of the window before the focus turns toward the holiday season. Otherwise, we can begin planning for the competitive Spring market. If you are looking for your dream home now, there are some beautiful houses on the market. I'd love to help you find THE ONE. As always, I'm here to help, and happy to answer your real estate questions.

Thanks so much for joining me again this month. I hope you feel inspired to go out into the community and think about how you can make an impact. These women-past and present-and this program, remind us that no contribution is too small. Intention paired with action has the power to change lives. Each of us carries the ability to shape our corner of the world, and together, those corners weave a brighter future. I hope you'll join me again next month. If you have a personal story or feel inspired from what you've read today, I'd love to hear about it! As always, if you have an idea for a future newsletter or offer to share with the readers, let me know. 

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