Dawn Ascolese is the new Exalted Ruler of the Coeur d'Alene Elks Lodge.

OK, you ask, is that a big deal?

Yes, and here's why: Ascolese is the first woman to be Exalted Ruler of the Coeur d'Alene Elks in its more than 100-year-old history.

Already, she has her fans in the 500-member organization, based on Prairie between U.S. 95 and Ramsey.

"They all love her," said Elks member Bill Brooks. "She's doing great."

Ascolese, who got married a year ago, celebrated her birthday Tuesday with her family. She is a woman of many talents. She's about to re-enter the real estate field, is a handywoman when it comes to repairs and is a representative with Damsel in Defense, which sells non-lethal protection devices like stun guns and pepper spray.

Ascolese, asked if she carried pepper spray, laughed.

"I prefer to pack heat,' she said. "But there are other women out there that don't like guns. I'm a big hunter. I've been around guns my whole life."

What are your thoughts on being the first woman to be Exalted Ruler of the Coeur d'Alene Elks Lodge?

It's very exciting for me. It's a little nerve-racking at the same time because I take it very seriously.

Women were only allowed into the Elks as of 1995, so especially not only to be the first woman here in Coeur d'Alene, but one of the youngest members as well. It's big responsibility. I don't take it lightly, but it's a lot of fun, too.

What does the Exalted Ruler do?

I've had people say things about being a cheerleader. I'm really not a cheerleader. I'm more like a quarterback.

It's a little overwhelming for me when I actually talk about it.

There's other people like the trustees who are in charge of the finances and the real property, but I kind of oversee everything that goes on.

How did you come to be the first woman Exalted Ruler?

When I first joined four years ago, I only knew four people in the lodge. Those people did not go to all the meetings. We have a meeting twice a month. But I started showing up to all the meetings just because I was interested in what went on and how everything worked. One of the officers, after a few months, noticed I was there for every meeting, and becoming more involved, helping out with meals and volunteering my time. And he asked me if I would like to become an officer the next year, which is when he would be the exalted ruler, and I said yes.

So, I became one of the officers and moved up through the ranks over the last four years. A month ago, I was voted in.

Are you planning any changes?

I am. The Elks are, as I've heard it, the best kept secret there is. We do so much for the community, and so many people don't know about us.

In the past, the Elks liked to keep it low key, keep us quiet in what we did. It's not like that anymore.

It's very important at this point and time we make ourselves known so people are excited about it and want to join, because if we don't have members, we can't do all the good things we do for the community and the people.

What are some things the Elks Lodge is involved in?

We're really big on helping veterans and youth, those are our biggest things. We do about $8 million in scholarships each year nationwide. We do all kinds of youth activities, like a hoop shoot, free throw contest. We also give a lot of money to different veterans facilities. The Elks actually owns its own rehabilitation hospital in Boise, and we give to the veterans homes and the veterans hospitals. We do something for all the holidays. Last year I was head of the committee for Christmas and we raised between goods and money, over $4,000, and we helped over nine families.

What is the reaction of friends when they heard you're the Exalted Ruler?

People kind of laugh, but then they think it's pretty cool. I prefer the term kind of leader, rather than saying I'm the Exalted Ruler. It gets kind of embarrassing, to be honest, I've never viewed myself as a leader. I really haven't. It's hard for me to grasp that concept even now. It's not just me that runs this place, there's so many people. And everybody volunteers. Nobody's paid for their time we put in at the lodge. So many people give so many hours per week. My girls even come and help me cook and serve meals and clean and do all kinds of stuff, and it's all for free.

Can you talk about some of the hardships you've faced and overcome?

When I was little, my parents were both out of work and we were homeless and we had to live in a tent for a few months at Round Lake. And then when I was a teenager, our house burned down in a firestorm in Chattaroy, and we were once again homeless. Some friends let the six of us sleep in the shop which was quite interesting for six months while we got a new house built, because my parents had good insurance.

I was also homeless a third time when I got my divorce. Some friends offered for rent a very nice place for me and my girls.

How do those trials affect you today?

At the times, I didn't look at them as being blessings. Now, I look back and all those hardships I went through are blessings in my life. They've made me a stronger woman. I can relate to people and know what they're going through. I feel like it helps me to know better what they need if they do need help.

I know about difficulty in life, but you push through it.

How did you stay strong?

Faith in the Lord, and knowing that he has a plan for my life, and ultimately, I do believe it's to help others.

That's why I'm here. That's why I joined the Elks. I found it was a place I could really make an impact on other people's lives in different ways. We help women at the domestic violence prevention center. We help out the veterans, we help out the youth. I enjoy being able to help in all those different areas.

What person had the most influence on your life?

My father, Kirby. My real father died before I was born. He came into my life when I was about a year old and married my mother. He has been the best father I could have ever asked for. Even though I had three siblings, he never treated me differently. Through all the hardships we went through, he persevered. He showed me you could always do it.

I always knew I was capable and strong enough to go out and find work, and make a way for my children and I. My father did that. For working as much as he did, he always showed us love.

Anything else you would like people to know about the Elks Lodge?

It was started as an old white man's drinking club back in the 1800s, and it's not that way anymore. It's for everybody. The older generation is predominant but younger people are coming in, and families. We're very family oriented. I would love people to know that's what we're about. We're about community and helping others and helping each other. It's Elks care, Elks share. We really do. The people there have been such good friends to my family.