The Loving Power Of Women
Women’s History Month Luncheon Bittersweet Celebration
By Hamil R. Harris
The celebration of women achieving against the odds seems as boundless as the numbers of women participating across the nation in 2018.
Martin’s Crosswinds was filled with people from all walks of life as Prince George’s County held its annual Women’s History Month Luncheon--an event that for more than three decades has celebrated the accomplishments of women who serve the county government in a variety of ways.
County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, Dr. Beatrice Tignor, Municipal Liaison, Office of the County Executive, recipient of the Gladys Noon Spellman Public Service Award, Oretha Bridgwater-Simms, Prince George's Community College Board of Trustees and Julie Wright, WJLA7 news. PHOTO: JORDAN WOODS/PRINCE GEORGE'S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
The theme of the 33rd annual event was “Nevertheless She Persisted: Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.”
As he walked into what would be his final luncheon during his eight years in office County Executive Rushern L. Baker III said “This is just a recognition of how great women are in Prince George’s County.”
Harpist, R&B singer/songwriter Tulani. PHOTO: JORDAN WOODS/PRINCE GEORGE'S SUITE MAGAZINE & MEDIA
Television reporter Julie Wright hosted the event which drew more than 1,000 women that included elected officials, state lawmakers, business and legal minds as well as female members of the faith community like Rev. Thea Wilson, associate minister of First Baptist Church of Glenarden who offered the invocation and said “This is a gorgeous day to be in Prince George’s County.”
LaVonn Reedy Thomas, who served as Women’s History month Planning Committee chair for eight years, said the event was a bittersweet moment of triumph. “It was a specific perspective and a unique opportunity to celebrate women and work with so many people on this. It feels good to have met my goals and to be a part of this energy. It’s bittersweet now as it comes to a close,” Reedy Thomas says. (See profile on 3/24)
Prince George’s County Council Chair Dannielle M. Glaros, who sat at a table almost in the middle of Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, took note of the historic moment in terms of women. “I am chairman of a county council with five other women. We are the majority and this is a remarkable time.”
County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, Kim Watson, Frederick Douglass HS, Makenzie Simmons, Gladys Noon Spellman Scholarship recipient, Shirah L. Simmons (mom), Emery Simmons (dad), and Julie Wright, WJLA News. PHOTO: MICHAEL YOURISHIN
Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks said “In 2018, this is the order of the day. Women are changing the county, the country and the world.”
Betty Hewlett, chair of the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission, remarked “this is a fabulous celebration of women and yet there are women who make it happen behind the scenes all of the time.
During his speech, Baker thanked his wife and daughters, the women in is cabinet and finally his Chief of Staff Glenda Wilson, saying: “I would not be where I am if it were not for my wife and this county would not be where it is today had it not been for Glenda Wilson.”
“I just love working for the county,” Wilson said in an interview. She said her success working for Baker and former County Executive Wayne Curry is due to the fact that she had many women in her life. “Having advice and guidance from other women made the difference.”
Dr. Beatrice Tignor, a long-time county educator, Democratic party official and member of the Maryland House and Senate, received this year’s Gladys Noon Spellman Public Service Award. In her career, Tignor has served in dozens of posts in local, county and state government.
The program is part of The National Women’s Project that was created to honor women who have molded and shaped history through their efforts toward ending discrimination against women based on race, ethnicity, class, disability, sexual orientation and other categories.
Former County Council member Dorothy Bailey took note of the theme of the event and said in an interview, “There is nothing that can’t be done without the persistence of a woman.”
