Local Democrat leader honored with Nellie Tayloe Ross Award

WORLAND - Democrats from all across Wyoming met in Cheyenne last weekend to attend the annual Nellie Tayloe Ross Dinner.

The event is held in honor of the state and nation's first female governor, and an award in her name is given to a Wyoming Democrat who embodies her spirit of service and desire to pave new paths forward. This year's recipients included Washakie County Democratic Party Chairwoman Mandy Weaver.

"Mandy is doing incredible work in Washakie County. She jumped right into her role as chairwoman and brought new energy to the local Democratic party. Under her leadership there are now regularly scheduled meetings, members are engaged in public service projects, and the party is receiving recognition for their efforts. I'm grateful to Chairwoman Weaver for everything she puts into this job and thrilled to see her honored for her work with a Nellie Tayloe Ross Award," said Joe M. Barbuto, Chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party.

Weaver said, "I am super proud of the incredible work Washakie County Democrats have done to make our community a better place, and it was a thrill to be recognized. This award was earned through the hard work and dedication of our entire group of wonderful Democrats, not just me."

She added, "We've got a really welcoming, active group of Democrats. The reason that I got the award is because of everyone who works hard. We're trying to do community service and make our community a better place. It's fun, we have an absolute blast. It's an awesome group of people, everyone won this award."

The award comes almost a year to the date when Weaver helped reorganize the Washakie County Democratic Party.

In an interview in 2017, Weaver, who was born and raised in Ten Sleep and has lived in Worland the past several years, said, "I wanted to get involved in politics and make my voice heard." She said the Democratic Party in Wyoming is small but she still wants her voice heard. "It's the saying 'be the change you want to see.' If no one's doing it I said I'll do it," Weaver said.

On Wednesday she said, "We went from having no party at all, it was a dark county, to having a decently-sized group of people who are really active."

She added that the party now has have monthly meetings and are active in several service projects. Funds raised from two baked sales were donate to O.W.L. Unlimited and Disabled Hunters and a portion of the winnings from the Washakie County Chamber of Commerce Hunter Fest chili cookoff will be donated to the Crisis and Prevention Center.

"One of our main goals is to do community service," Weaver said.

She said this year the party will be holding a convention on March 31 and they anticipate several statewide Democratic candidates attending. She said with an active party in Washakie County, they can lend support to state and local candidates.

Marci Shaver of Goshen County was also a recipient of the Nellie Tayloe Ross Award.