TODAY'S WOMEN MARCH 2006
Women kissed the good ol' boys club goodbye years ago. Now, it is mostly a matter of determination; a matter of moving ahead. Women are convinced that we can do anything and now we just need to decide where we want to be.
Valla Ann Bolovschak is a lesson in contradictions. She admits she's extremely self-disciplined and hoards money protectively, but is brazen and fearless when it comes to taking changes-like the time she bought an old mansion on a whim in September 2003.
She's spun that impulse purchase into an elegant home and thriving business as owner and innkeeper of the historic Admiral Bicknell Inn on East Main Street's Mansion Row in New Albany. The Inn, which she extensively renovated over a three-month period, was built in 1850 and boasts 24 rooms, seven of them bedrooms. It receives a steady stream of visitors for weddings, receptions and other gatherings.
"The flow of the house, the size of the yard-it's an acre-it's kind of a mini resort," Bolovschak says of her immediate attraction to the property. "It's a happy house, lots of sunshine."
Bolovschak, 44, was formerly a Louisville resident, who's also lived in Georgia and Connecticut and has a career background in real estate.
In her work with the inn, a slate of area historic preservation organizations, and spearheading local projects such as an effort to create a "quiet zone" for the area of railroad tracks slicing through New Albany's historic district. Bolovschak says she lives out another type of contradiction as both a sensitive and powerful women. She is not one to be easily offended or shy away from any type of backlash.
"You should do in your heart of hearts what is right for your community, for your business, for your neighbors," she says.
Already the precinct chair for the Floyd County Republican Party, she's considering a run for New Albany Mayor, but for now is weighing her options. For the time being, she's content in her roles as citizens' advocate and political crusader.
Bolovschak says she considers conflict an opportunity. When things seem insurmountable or circumstances deteriorate, she transcends it and creates her own circumstances, consuming herself with attaining a successful end result.
"People would say about me, "When life gives her lemons, she turns them into pineapples, watermelons," and I do," she says.
Freedom Of Speech would like to say:
Ms. Bolovschak definitely has a "can do attitude" and boundless energy. The Admiral Bicknell Inn has brought additional interest in bringing new business to the downtown area.
In addition, she has been appointed by Governor Daniels to the Greenway Project Board. This includes helping to make the pedestrian pedway across the K&I Bridge a reality.
She is a great asset to New Albany as a citizens advocate and with her various efforts in helping the less fortunate.
Freedom of Speech supports her bid for Mayor if she chooses to run.
We highly recommend you pick up the latest edition of Today's Women.
