Generations of Strength: The Legacy of Resilient Women in Summer Applegate’s Life

Resilience runs deep in the roots of Summer Applegate?? ’s family. As the Director of Workforce Services at the Rocky Mountain Education Center (RMEC) at Red Rocks Community College, Summer’s professional dedication is fueled by the legacy of the formidable women who came before her. From her great-grandmother Leona to her grandmother Betty, their lives and sacrifices have profoundly influenced who she is today—a proud 5th-generation Colorado native, a mentor, and an advocate for education.

Leona: The Pioneer of Independence

Summer’s great-grandmother, Leona, was a woman ahead of her time. Her mother arrived in Colorado in a covered wagon, forging a path into the unknown. Leona continued this pioneering spirit, navigating societal stigma to seek a divorce and secure the family farm in the settlement. Relocating from the city to the countryside, she crafted a life of resilience and opportunity for her daughter, Betty.

Leona’s faith and determination were the foundation upon which generations of women in Summer’s family stood. She lived into her 90s, offering wisdom and devotion to her family, leaving an enduring mark on their lives.

Betty: A Life of Hard Work and Creativity

Summer’s grandmother Betty married Henry, a German immigrant, at just 17. Their life was shaped by the trials of World War II, farming, and raising seven children. Betty’s creative talents flourished in her sewing room, where she became an award-winning seamstress through 4-H. Her love for her craft was matched by her strength in adversity.

After losing her husband, Betty stepped out of her sewing room to run the farm, care for cattle, and hold her family together. Her unyielding resolve and the community’s support enabled her family to persevere during this challenging time.

A Generational Blessing

For Summer, inheriting Betty’s sewing machine was not just a sentimental gift—it was a symbol of legacy and connection. With a degree in fashion design, Summer honors her grandmother’s creativity and the line of women who made their way with what they had.

“I see their lives as a reminder of how much education could have opened even more doors for them,” Summer reflects. Her mother, the eldest of seven, wasn’t encouraged to pursue education, dedicating herself to family instead. However, her mother’s later role as an educator exemplified a commitment to uplifting future generations.

Honoring Their Legacy Through Education

Summer’s pursuit of a master’s degree was her way of honoring her family’s sacrifices and preparing herself for life’s uncertainties. “Education became my way of ensuring I could support myself and others,” she shares. As a mentor and teacher, Summer continues the legacy of seeing and nurturing the potential in others—a value instilled by her mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

The lessons of grit, faith, and perseverance passed down through generations inspire Summer to advocate for education as a transformative force. She carries their stories with her, not just as memories but as a guide for how to lead and empower others.

My Poem gift to Summer: “Threads of Resilience”

In the hands of women, strong yet soft,

The threads of resilience weave aloft.

From covered wagons to sewing seams,

They stitched their lives from broken dreams.

Leona’s grit forged paths anew,

With faith as her anchor, she made it through.

Betty’s hands, both tender and strong,

Turned fabric to beauty and righted the wrong.

Through trials and loss, they held the line,

Crafting a legacy destined to shine.

Their stories sewn in hearts that mend,

A tapestry woven without an end.

The machine hums now in Summer’s care,

A generational blessing beyond compare.

Its rhythm speaks of lives once sown,

Of women who made this strength her own.