By Matt Gleckman

I like to help women help themselves, as that is, in my opinion, the best way to settle the woman question. Whatever we can do and do well we have a right to, and I don’t think any one will deny us—Louisa May Alcott.

Nov. 5, 1999, marked the first official meeting of the Women’s Resource Network in Cortez, and since that time the group has grown in size and purpose — and it continues to grow.

"The group allows women from all different backgrounds to get together and talk," says Christine Acott, Cortez Chamber of Commerce director and one of four women on the network’s steering committee. "We’re really just starting to get it (the network) off the ground — we still have a long way to go," she said.

Peggy McMahan-Lane, a financial planner, business owner and steering committee member, said in an interview this week that the informal, grassroots organization began as a group of business women who wanted a place to network.

Today, the organization is made up of a core group of roughly 20 to 30 women who are responsible for the direction that the network will take.

"I have not attended a meeting yet," says Diane Cox, owner of a new counseling/coaching business in Cortez, "However, I am looking forward to sitting in on one of the gatherings and networking my own business, as well as possibly being a presenter in the future."

"The group meets every second Friday and every fourth Thursday to discuss their lives, businesses, and at times offer some informational and educational services," McMahan-Lane said.

Past speakers have included Marie Messner, owner of Marie Messner Accounting, as well as representatives from the Women’s Resource Center in Durango. "Right now we are looking for speakers to give 30- to 45-minute presentations," says McMahan-Lane.

Presentation topics have included financial planning, business ownership and getting a business organized, Acott said.

"While men are welcome to come and participate at the meetings, most of the topics are of particular interest to women," She said.

In the future, the Women’s Resource Network is also hoping to compile a "women-friendly business directory."

"The directory will be made up of local businesses that have been nominated by Women’s Resource Network members for their good service," says McMahan-Lane.

"If I go into a bank to get a loan and they treat me well, then I can nominate that bank for a space in the directory," McMahan-Lane said. "Business owners won’t be able to just call up and ask for a listing, though."

The directory is expected to be completed some time next year and will be available for use through the office of the Women’s Resource Network. The group does not have a permanent home, but has been meeting at the Cortez Cultural Center.

"We are not the Piñon Project and we are not Social Services," says McMahan-Lane. "We are a just an informal group who likes to get together and talk about our lives and businesses."