Franchise Owner Wins National Business Award In Celebration of Women’s History Month

The OPAL Award recognizes a female franchise owner who demonstrates Outstanding Performance And Leadership. The honorees are active in community and civic organizations and demonstrate leadership within CruiseOne. This year’s award also celebrates women who not only survived but thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic by reinventing themselves and their businesses this past year.

“Addie has a caring disposition that makes her beloved in her community and among CruiseOne franchisees nationwide,” said Debbie Fiorino, chief operating officer of CruiseOne. “She epitomizes what it means to be an OPAL winner and I am honored to present Addie with the 2021 OPAL Award.”

Edwards has been a CruiseOne franchise owner since 2006 and has continued to make a difference in the lives of others during the COVID-19 pandemic, providing comfort and support to those around her in need. As a Board Member with the Believe I Can Academy, a non-profit school for children with special needs, Edwards was instrumental in helping the organization secure and move to a larger facility when they had to accommodate a large influx of new students due to the closure of public schools. During the pandemic, she also became a caregiver for 93-year-old philanthropist Betty Lee, a founding member of Creative Women of Pinnacle Peak, a charitable organization whose objective is to support charities who work with women and children in need.

Edwards visited Lee weekly, did her grocery shopping and helped navigate the many constraints involved in obtaining a COVID-19 vaccine. In addition, the arts are another passion of Edwards and for the past three seasons she has volunteered for the Arizona Musicfest.

“I am so honored to receive the prestigious award OPAL Award because giving back is such an important part of who I am,” said Edwards. “Instead of hanging my head and feeling depressed this past year, I have found renewed purpose in helping others, and it feels good to once again be needed.”

CruiseOne is committed to being “Rich in Diversity” and empowers all owners, agents and employees to reach their highest potential by leveraging their broad range of talent, experiences, personalities, viewpoints and ideas to generate business growth.