Reprinted with permission from from Casper Journal

Margaret Johnson-Ayres - 2010 Women of Distinction

No one was more surprised than Margaret Johnson-Ayres when it was announced that she was being honored as the 2010 Casper Woman of Distinction to conclude the annual banquet at the Parkway Plaza and Convention Center on March 4.

Four local women's service organizations - American Association of University Women (AAUW), the American Society of Women Accountants, Casper Alumnae Panhellenic and Sorotimist International of Central Wyoming - comprise the Woman of Distinction Planning and Selection Committee.

"I was so shocked. I was honored that I was even chosen as a nominee," Johnson-Ayres said after the luncheon. "Never in my wildest dreams" did she think she'd win the award.

The committee's other nominees were Kim Byrd, student success coordinator at Casper College; Nadine Day Dexter, RN, MSN, director of clinical services at the Wyoming Behavioral Institute; Cathy George, business manager for her husband Gene George's geology business; R.C. Johnson, therapist at the Child Development Center; Karol Santistevan, executive director of Reach 4 A Star Riding Academy; Marla Wold, a retired educator and philanthropist.

All seven nominees were in attendance at the 2010 Woman of Distinction Luncheon.

Johnson-Ayres received the award based on a cumulative point system that considers professional activities, volunteerism, citizenship, community service, leadership, advocacy of human rights and status of women, high standards of education and depth of commitments. She was nominated by Kathy Murphy and Soroptimist International of Central Wyoming.

Overwhelmed with emotion, Johnson-Ayres said, "There are so many deserving people in this community. I'm so humbled. I give with my heart, I want to help others. It's part of the joy of my life".

Jewelry Design Start

Johnson-Ayres was raised in Helena, Montana. In 1974, she got her start as a jewelry designer "as a hobby," she said "to support my silver habit. I got hooked."

After being co-owner of four jewelry stores in Montana, she opened her own jewelry operation in Billings. In 1999, she met Scott Ayres at a jewelry convention. He was owner of Ayres Jewelry Co. in Casper, a business that had been in the Ayres family for 80 years at the time.

In August of 1999, Margaret and Scott were married, but she had her store in Billings and he had his store in Casper. In 2000, Johnson-Ayres sold her Billings store and moved to Casper to work as a designer at Ayres Jewelry.

Johnson-Ayres has won several awards for her unique and beautiful work. She serves on the board for the Montana-Wyoming Jewelers Association, having served as president, vice president and treasurer. She also served a six-year term on the Board of Jewelers of America and worked on a number of national committees during that time.

Johnson-Ayres traveled throughout the western states and helped the state Jewelers Association on behalf of the Jewelers of America. She was voted "Jeweler of the Year" twice. According to the Sorotimist International of Central Wyoming, which nominated her for the Woman of Distinction Award, she is a "worker bee" who makes things happen.

Energetic Volunteer

When she is not busy in her professional work, Johnson-Ayres loves to serve the community of Casper. She is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer. She has volunteered at the Self Help Center for 10 years after going through years of abuse by her ex-husband.

"I want to give back, help other women," Johnson-Ayres said. If it weren't for my friends, I wouldn't be alive."

She's also a volunteer in the Growth Thru Art program for developmentally disabled adults. Johnson-Ayres is a member of Zonta and PWO, assisting with scholarship programs and a former board member of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Johnson-Ayres also maintained her "can do" attitude during the Second Street reconstruction project two years ago. She was very active in the Casper Downtown Association and headed up the Hard Hat promotion - trying to keep things fun and positive during the street project.

Johnson-Ayres' donation recipients are CASA and the Self-Help Center.

She truly appreciates the support of her husband, Scott. "He encourages me to do the things that pull on my heart strings," Johnson-Ayres said. "He's a very supportive husband. I'm really blessed.

In her free time, she loves to read, sew, paint, cook, scrapbook and design cards. She has one son, one stepson and nine grandchildren whom she adores.

According to nomination information, Johnson -Ayres has high expectations of herself, and brings that personal commitment to the groups she works with and volunteers for on a regular basis. "I encourage others to give, your time and your talent and monetary giving as well. It comes back ten-fold," Johnson-Ayres said. "It's such a joy in knowing you are helping someone else."