Posted by Melissa Burlaga

We bring you another profile of one of our women in leadership award winners for 2009.

This recipient serves drinks for a living and serves her community on the side.

Dave Anderson has her story.

25 years ago, Dee's Bar in Ely was where older folks went for a little polka.

Today, new owner Jodi Martin still caters to the accordion crowd but a younger clientele has started making the scene, too.
Creativity has egged on the change.

"I think we try to go above and beyond with the parties we throw and try to host new events and come up with new ideas all the time."

Martin's new ideas don't all happen in the bar; she also uses her creative talents to boost the Ely community.

Her efforts have earned the respect of other business owners in the city.

"She's one of the ladies that's always caring about the events in the city especially the 4th of July.

She's in charge of the entire campaign and whole parade and dealing with everyone and never loses her cool."

Jodi also serves as treasurer for the Vermilion Community College Foundation.

She thinks all women can become community leaders because she feels there are no excuses.

"An easy excuse is that I don't have time or I don't have the energy and I think you can always find the time to do something even if it's something very small."

Jodi Martin is the tenth of the ten women who earned women in leadership awards this year.

All of the winners will attend a luncheon in their honor Wednesday.