Suzanne Pierson, Red Lady #39
There was inspiration from the minute I discovered CB. First as a visitor in 1979, later as part-time and then in 2012 full-time. Around 2010, Dickie Vyktoria Brown inspired me as a Guest Service rep for CBMR, with his love of helping others, I found the joy of caring for the cause of HCCA - to Save Red Lady from mining and I began wearing Red on Saturdays with him and talking about why. It became tradition to join the Fourth of July parades, to costume up, and to attend the Red Lady Salvation Annual Ball fundraiser. It was all just something you do to give back to our Community. One day Brett Henderson called asking me to create a painting for the Ball Poster.
What an honor!
My Partner, Monica Ariowitsch and I love to dance. We fell deeper and deeper in love with CB and Life under the protection of Mt. Emmons. We applauded the crownings each year, joined the parades and made lifelong friends. Then came 2016 The Best Year of My Life!
I was crowned Red Lady #39, at the Red Lady Salvation Ball at the Eldo in Crested Butte, Colorado by #38 Stephanie White. “Once a Red Lady, always a Red Lady.” Lots of friends wanted to chat, have another beer or a dance that night. They just kept us busy though Monica and I were ready to leave the party. “Oh but you have to see who gets the crown this year!”
Yes, true, so we watched from the back of the excited Red crowd of wonderful Buttians enjoying the night.
I decided that if the Community wanted me, I’d give them my All, even more. How about 200%? I attended every event for a whole year and wore my red outfits almost every day. I never had so much fun in my life and it just keeps happening. Our “Sisterhood” and HCCA supporters are beyond AWESOME!
If I had to pick out the 3 BEST Memories I have of that WONDERFUL YEAR as RED LADY:
The Glorious Night March 12, 2016, I was crowned Red Lady including the loving Sisterhood Breakfast and Ski Day together the next day.
The Red Lady Hike September 12, 2016 I never before actually made the climb to the top of Mt. Emmons to experience the Totem of Red Lady Prayers on bright red flags, a cherished Symbol of Love and Respect. For 39 years High Country Citizens Advocates HCCA had valiantly fought, litigated, stood ground to put an end to all mining forever on this gorgeous laccolith. I’d ALWAYS wanted to see the TOP... so we did it! We hiked Red Lady! It was every ounce of energy I could muster from the Copley Lake Trail off Kebler Road to the amazing trail through the Red Lady Bowl and the ridge line. I wasn’t but 10 minutes from the faster group, I proudly believe:) We made it for the champaign toast and photo op. We felt this high altitude and didn’t dare to return even in perfect weather. Heading down the back side to end at Gunsight Bridge was a 13 mile total, long hike but incredibly stunning. So much so that my big toes bumped boulders hard enough turn both toenails black and I lost them! But I didn’t care! I can truthfully now say that I have been to our Red Lady Flagpole and seen these views! Again this was a Highlight I’ll ALWAYS REMEMBER!
VINOTOK and the entire week of that Sacred Celebration. Thank you Marcie Telander, Founder of this meaningful event, for drawing forth my Rune of the OX and the Labyrinth Walk. Every night was Grand, a dedication to Cyclical Nature, the Harvest Mother, the Green Man choosing, the Liar’s Night, the Red Tent, the Feast! But the Final Evening of the Burning of the Grump Pageant- the slow drum and chant of the Community crawling and slithering down the middle of our main street Elk Avenue… this Moment was most Unforgettable! I was lifted 20 feet off the ground on a High Seat by strong human beings dressed in furs, horns, feathers, wreaths, on stilt, on hoof. I had been called to embody the Personae of the Sacred Mountain as the 39th Red Lady. I saw and heard literally thousands of people chanting “Save Red Lady”! “Burn the Grump!” as we held procession to the Pageant platform and Judgement and then to the 4Way For the Bonfire to Burn away all our grumps and gripes and begin anew having freed the Red Lady from her bonds.
I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS! Here’s to our Sisterhood of the Red Ladies of Crested Butte representing all that is HCCA!
To YOU my Mother Mountain with which I am One and Whole.To YOU my precious town.
May your waters be clean and healthy for all living creatures and the all flowing Life Source.
May we Know this Blessing within our Souls, rejoice with strong elegant voice.
Be always Wild and Creative.
I cannot thank you enough my Buttians, my Beloveds, for honoring me with the Royal title of Red Lady # 39.
I accept my Position, my Role, my Obligation to fulfill this Destiny.
Once a Red Lady, Always a Red Lady!
This that I Am.
Truly Your Red Lady,
Suzanne “Soupy” Pierson
Red Lady #39
