Remarkable Women: Ana Verley

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — We continue to recognize the remarkable women across the Rio Grande Valley and our last finalist is Ana Verley or as some close to her call her the "MADD" woman.

Ana has been at the helm of "Mothers Against Drunk Driving" in the RGV for more than two decades.

Her passion for helping victims of life-changing crimes hasn't gone unnoticed.

Point to any picture adorning the walls of Verley's office and without hesitation, she can tell you the person's name and story. Unfortunately, those stories also include vivid memories of their tragic and abrupt death.

All of the people in those photos were killed by drunk drivers.

Verley is a Victim's Service Specialist for Mothers Against Drunk Driving or "MADD" of the RGV.

She's the one who steps in to help grieving families when a drunk driver decides to get behind the wheel and takes an innocent life or causes serious injuries.

"We have public service announcements, we have billboards, we have classes, we have all kinds of awareness, and it doesn't stop," said Verley.

Through MADD, Verley provides numerous services to those impacted by drunk drivers. Her services range from providing emotional support in times of crisis, helping them file or request a police report, accompanying them to court proceedings and keeping them informed about an offender's status.

"People have rights, victims' rights, they have the right to take part in the process, they have the right to know what's happening with their case, that the offender got out on bond, when they go to prison, if they go to prison, that they have the right to protest their parole," said Verley.

Verley has been working with MADD for 23 years.

It wasn't a career she chose but rather, one that chose her.

It began as a college internship. She was forced to quickly delve into a high-profile, complicated case where an intoxicated elected official got behind the wheel and struck a motorcyclist who was headed home from a charitable event.

The victim in the crash survived, however, eventually lost her leg from injuries.

Verley had a front-row seat to the entire case and was hooked.

"That's when I decided, this is what I need to be doing," said Verley. "I need to be advocating for these people."

Taking care of others during their time of grief is no easy feat.

"There have been cases where the grief is just and there's nothing you can do or say, no matter how highly trained you are or how many books you've read," she said.

It is however a remarkable one. Verley is one of four finalists for Nexstar's most remarkable women contest. Her peers have taken notice of the hours, tears and dedication she put into this organization.

For Verley, it's mostly about serving others, that she remains humble in spite of the recognition.

"It's flattering. I'm not sure that I am the most remarkable person in the RGV. I'm sure there are a lot of remarkable women and I think I'm not the only one, I know that I'm not the only one that's out doing what we can, to make the community a better place," she said.

For others, Verley's remarkable impact on their lives is easy to praise.

Analicia Zarate lost her mother to a drunk driver in 2000. She was just 4 years old at the time and was in the car during the crash. She spent a month in the hospital recovering.

"My family was very traumatized from all of it," she said. "When we had our crash I don't think they ever sought any kind of assistance. They didn't seek counseling and the way they coped with it was not talking about things."

When she turned 15 avoiding talking about the crash that forever changed her life was no longer an option. Zarate wanted and needed answers. That's when she came across MADD and met Verley.

“I believe she was key to my healing and working alongside her, she’s given me a strength and a drive to do what I do," said Zarate. "Just seeing how strong and how passionate she is for what she does and so she’s vital to my healing."

Verley impacted Zarate's life so much that they now have a close friendship. Zarate even volunteers for MADD and shares her story with offenders who have been arrested and charged with drunk driving.

She is not at all surprised that Verley was named a remarkable woman.

“She has a lot of patience, she is very vocal about how she feels about things, she’s very determined, she has a will that I don’t think I've ever seen in a lot of people in my lifetime – she’s a very special person, and has a great heart, and cares about everybody that she works with," said Zarate.

It's people like Zarate, Verley says, that keep her going when she feels she no longer can.

“Every time that I think I want to leave, I’m like I just need to see this one more thing through,” said Verley.

Verley says she'll diligently continue the fight to end drunk driving in the Valley as long as she can. She's not seeking accolades or recognition, she's just hoping MADD's message will get through to the community and in turn save people's lives.

"I would like my legacy to continue here when I do leave, and I would like to see our community prosper and maybe one day our vision- MADD's vision is no more victims, that that happens."

She says that would be her most remarkable feat.