I was recently inspired and would like to applaud, a visionary  business women, Irene Deely.  She is a visionary metal artist, the owner of Women of Steel Gallery in Garden City, ID.  She is endeavoring to do a "first" for her business and for Americans across the country.  Recently, at our June NAWBO meeting, Deely shared with us that she and four other women friends will be traveling across the country with her oversized Statue of Liberty metal sculpture mounted on a flat bed truck. It is called "Lady Liberty: Let's Roll."   It depicts the Statue of Liberty with a leg thrust out in a kick-boxing stance.  Despite the perception of welding as a typically masculine endeavor, Deely says, "I think that gender is irrelevant."

This creative journey will be announced at the Boise Hawks Baseball Stadium during the Fourth of July Celebration in Garden City.  They will later be escorted out of the city and begin their American journey to New York City.  They hope to encourage people all along the way to kick through life by overcoming their fears, personal barriers and to continue to keep our freedom as Americans. "Lady Liberty not only represents the unique American value that offers freedom, but is poised like him to swallow their fears and defend those who are not able, Irene Deely, Woman of Steel stated.  Many of Deely's pieces, as well as her artistic statement, are available for viewing on her Web site, www.womanofsteelgallery.com

I say, "Not to fear, but persevere!"  I would like to applaud her and her team from Garden City, Idaho for taking on this huge endeavor as they encourage us all to be like Lady Liberty and Let's Roll! 

It is good to pause and reflect about the blessings we do have in our country.  I hear people complain all of the time about how bad our country is today.  Well, no matter what the economy is like, or other challenges we have, we still live in the richest country in the world. 

As I think about our upcoming Fourth of July, A holiday of freedom and liberty, we need to be thankful and appreciate all of the sacrifices our forefathers and our military have made on our behalf.  We need to realize that because of the sacrifice that others before us, that we can live in the richest county as Americans.  We have so much to be grateful and thankful for today!

May you have a blessed and safe "Fourth of July" with your family and friends.  Remeber to Celebrate our Freedom!

© 2008 Irene Woodworth