Beverly Michael

Beverly Michael, LCSW-Retired
NMFDW Past President 2021-23

“It is important to help bring women to the table in politics and government. I believe we have a voice and perspective that is sensible for leadership. I encourage women from all walks of life to become involved in these processes, at any level. Realizing our vote is our power is cathartic. Seeing so many women running for office and taking on the roles of leadership is exciting, inspiring and motivating. I like to say that because of those who have gone before me, those who follow will be fine.”

I am a lifelong resident of New Mexico, raised in Grants. My family was involved in local and state politics all my life. I worked for my parents in their retail businesses while growing up. Later I worked for the NM Corrections Department for 5 years and helped form the NM Women In Corrections support organization.

After working in Corrections for 9 years, I worked as a tribal social worker for the Pueblo of Acoma, and later for 5 years at the All Faiths Receiving Home in Albuquerque, and for the NM Children Youth & Families Department for 3 years.

I returned to college and during that time I served on the State Board for the NM League of Women Voters (1996-2000), as editor of their newsletter, La Palabra. I also established a student unit at UNM, and worked with other political organizations on campus to sponsor special speakers and voter registration events. I graduated from UNM in 1998, and earned my Masters from NM Highlands University in 2003.

I opened Sierra Vista Counseling, LLC, in Grants, in 2007 as primary clinical therapist and closed in 2018. Opened Enchanted Peace & Wellness Center in 2021 and sold the business in January 2026. I decided to run for my local City Council in 2022, and successfully won my election. I now serve on Grants City Council for District 4.

Tasks related to Federation activities include working with Cibola Democrats to host Conversations With Democrats, meet and greets and rallies for candidates. I coordinated and ran the County Party office in 2018, along with joining the New Mexicans For All canvass and calling efforts. With help from the Native American Caucus, we won every single seat on that ballot.

Other efforts have been focused on: arranging program for the NMFDW Women In Blue Day in 2020, 2021 and 2022, at the State Legislature. In 2020, we celebrated the 100 th Anniversary of Women’s Suffrage. Other accomplishments include assisting with outreach, support, and membership building; and helping organize new Federations in Taos County, and the Laguna Pueblo Federation, the first Native American federation in the country. After taking some time off due to the loss of my husband, I returned to the Federation and presently serve as the Treasurer for the NMFDW.