Most often, when you see stories about Burton in the news, there is usually a quote or reference to the owner, Jake Burton Carpenter. But what about the other half of the equation? You know, the other person who helped Jake start one of the world's first snowboard companies?

We're talking about Donna Carpenter, of course -- Jake's wife. Donna and Jake are the sole owners of Burton Snowboards. As such, she's been involved in the company, and in snowboarding itself, since the very beginning. That makes her the ultimate matriarch. Yet we don't hear enough about her.

That needs to change. Recently we tracked her down at an ESPNW conference and grilled her about the good old days and where she sees the future of women's snowboarding heading. And we decided to put it up today, this day of thanks, because if she doesn't deserve some gratitude for helping create this sport we all love so much, who does?