Feisty Ross touts strength in women
Women need to find success and peace of mind through independence, self sufficiency and financially stability. That’s the message Bellverie Ross has instilled in her four daughters and every woman whose life she has touched. Ross, assistant to the associate vice chancellor for enrollment and student engagement, is the 2006 Staff Council Outstanding Staff for General Administration honoree.
“Bellverie has been involved with student affairs in one way or another for many years,” writes her nominator. “Consequently, she is the go-to person for a host of concerns . . . She is the Mother Superior for an entire division of the university, doling out advice and providing a moral compass.”
Ross also won annual outstanding staff awards in 1987 and 1997 and was honored as outstanding staff of the month in June 2006. While it’s clear the university has been privileged to have her as an employee, Ross feels she’s the fortunate one.
“I have been blessed and fortunate in my personal and professional paths. I have learned to take the bitter with the sweet and to know when to hold and when to fold.”
Ross’ four daughters, ages 44 to 38, also are strong independent women. Her oldest, also named Bellverie, was featured in the Metro Denver Body of Christ News as a successful professional woman and single parent. The younger Bellverie, who graduated from CU with a degree in English, credits her mother and the strong women in her family to her own success. “Seeing that they were successful let me know what things were possible,” her daughter says Bellverie Jr.’s career includes management positions with Stewart Title, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and MBNA banking. Other daughters: June is a nurse assistant, Lavette is a home aide and Nikki is on staff at Arbitration Forums.
The elder Ross is a fourth generation Coloradan. “My great grandma, LaBell, was born in Auraria City back when there were covered wagons and mules,” she explains. “They were heading to California to seek gold in the late 1880s. They never got there. As my Grandma often remarked, ‘the mule died and the wagon broke down.’”
What began in the California Gold Rush has turned instead into an important slice of Colorado history and a testament to the strength of a loving African American family.
In the early 60s, Ross was the first African American hired by Spartans Department Stores (a forerunner of WalMart), eventually becoming supervising cashier. In the late 60s, she was the first African American hired by Husky Oil in retail credit. She later was a staff member of Mile High Child Care Association.
Ross is member Alpha Omicron Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority Inc., a national organization of predominantly black professional/business women. She is also a member of Scott United Methodist Church, celebrating its 102nd anniversary in November.
Ross has attended UCDHSC, Metropolitan State, Barnes Business and IMB School. She graduated from Manual High School.
As retirement looms, Ross is ready to head onto new adventures. “It’s been good for me here. Like any job, it’s no utopia; there’s good and bad, and you make your own bed.”
Don’t expect Ross to slow down after retirement, though. ‘“Getting the job done’ really should be a motto for Bellverie’s door,” her nominator writes. “She is a troubleshooter, problem solver and magician.” Always has been, always will be.
Photo at center above: Ross, standing, celebrates Mother's Day with three of her daughters and her granddaughter, second from left.