There’s something truly powerful about a room full of women who don’t just shine — they glow from the inside out. That was the energy at the Gems of the Valley event. Every year, this celebration reminds us of what makes our Valley such a special place: it’s not the buildings or the businesses — it’s the people.

The women we honored this year represent the heartbeat of our community.

Some of them are the faces we see often — on boards, in leadership roles, on social media or in the news. They’re the ones whose stories inspire us to keep pushing.

But then there are the quiet ones, the ones who are deep in the grind. They’re the ones working behind the scenes, making sure a neighbor has food, a child has shoes, or a young woman gets a fair shot at her dream. They’re not doing it for applause; they’re doing it because they remember what it felt like to struggle — and they’re determined to make sure someone else doesn’t have to feel that way.

That mindset — the one that says, “If I can make it better for the next person, dammit, I’m going to” — is rare. And it’s what makes these women, these gems, truly extraordinary.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to recognize the men who are right there beside them — those who lift, support, mentor and champion the women around them.

The ones who see strength, not competition; who lead with empathy and partnership; who show up not for credit but because they genuinely care about the future of this Valley.

We have some incredible men doing extraordinary things here, too — fathers, sons, business owners, mentors — quietly shaping opportunities, breaking down barriers and showing what real allyship looks like.

I’ve been part of other worlds before — the corporate world, the fraternity and sorority world — where the mentality was very different. The unspoken rule was, “I went through it, so you should too.”

Even when the experience was terrible, people wore it like a badge of honor.

Late-night emails that had to be answered immediately, ridiculous rituals that tested loyalty instead of leadership and pressure that built up without purpose. It’s a strange cycle, one that says endurance equals worth, even when it comes at the expense of growth and grace.

But these people of the Valley? They’re rewriting that story. They’ve known exhaustion, heartbreak, rejection and financial strain — and still said, “This stops here.” They’ve taken their lived experiences, their pain and their lessons, and turned them into something purposeful.

They’re leading teams, creating nonprofits, mentoring youth, running businesses, raising families and building communities — all while holding each other up.

It’s easy to say you’ve worked hard, that you’ve sacrificed, that you’ve paid your dues. But it’s another thing entirely to look back and say, “I want to make the path smoother for the next person.”

That’s what every honoree at Gems of the Valley embodied. Whether she was just beginning her journey or has spent decades paving the way, the common thread was heart. A heart that’s been tested. A heart that’s still giving.

So to the women who were honored that night, to the men who make space for others to shine and to those who never seek the spotlight but deserve it just as much — thank you.

Thank you for being the kind of people who make the Valley a place where we can rise, connect and create change together.

From me to you — keep shining. Not because the world demands it, but because your light makes it easier for someone else to find their way.

Mother, author, entrepreneur and founder of Dandelion-Inc, Lisa Resnick wants to hear your story. Share memories with her by emailing lisa@dandelion-inc.com.