I grew up being raised by a single parent, my mother, in a rough neighborhood on the south side of Chicago. My entire life I really never had a true father figure, but I was taught that hard work and honesty pays off. I learned from my mistakes, however as I have grown older, I have always turned to women to look for answers when I was in a tough situation. Why? They have this special ability that most men do not have. Patience, understanding and listening skills - of course, some men do have these, but to most women, these qualities just come naturally.

Women also have special gifts that men were never given, like the ability to give birth. I could not imagine having the patience to have a baby growing inside me for nine months. Then, after having kids, women get right back into shape and continue being the decision maker in the household. It’s a tough job. We are so proud to feature women every year who you may not have met of heard of, but who really do make a difference in our Valley. Listed below are the names of our featured women for the past two years:

2008: Carrie Martz, Kay Thompson, Dr. Connie Mariano, Mary Beth York, Chevy Humphrey, Rachel Sacco, Pamala Plummer-Wright, Elizabeth Capaldi, Darcy Renfro and Ann Meyers Drysdale.

2009: Alexandra Zavala, Dennita Sewell, Erin Spiers, Jane Rau, Kimber Lanning, Alison Rapping, Ali Vincent, Courtney Klein, Michelle Robson, Kristen Senseman, Rachel Oesterle and Dr. Heather Cunliffe.

2010: Click here to see this year's winners.

We welcome you to submit nominations for Women Who Move the Valley 2011. Click here for information on how to submit a nomination.

The team at Arizona Foothills Magazine is made up of men and women but we tend to have more women on staff - and they are some of the brightest women I have ever met, and I personally thank them for making AFM the most successful lifestyle magazine and the market leader, now going on 15 years. Thanks to the men too, Jimmy and Andre.

Welcome to 2010. If you are looking for something new or different to do in the Valley this year, always log onto AZFoothills.com for daily updated information on the best in food, style and fashion. Here, you will also meet the most interesting people in the Valley: We have some great event pictures and stories on people you know or should know.

Happy New Year!

-Michael S. Dee
President and Publisher