Women's History Month

County Executive Angela D. Alsobrooks issued a Proclamation recognizing March as Women's History Month and March 8 as International Women's Day in Prince George's County. This year's theme focuses on "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." While the programs at DoE work to improve the quality of life for all members of our community, women can benefit more from improving our overall environment as women all around the world are more likely to be affected by climate change and pollution, especially women of color. 

We honor the leadership and dedication of the women of DoE and thank allies that stand by in support everywhere. 

 

Karen Gooden

By profession, I am an attorney and serve as DoE's Legislative Counsel. I primarily handle legislative matters for DoE during the Maryland legislative session in Annapolis and legislative matters throughout the year before the Prince George's County Council. In addition, I serve as DoE's Language Access Coordinator and handle Maryland Public Information Act Requests and other special assignments on behalf of DoE's Director.

Despite significant gains made by women in equal rights, since the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, women still lag in reaching parity with men in several areas, including but not limited to earnings, promotional job opportunities, education, and wealth attainment. 

It is often ignored that race and caste burden women of color; they cannot hide from these additional layers of discrimination. Still, we rise with dignity and grace to honor all women who fought for Women's Suffrage like Ida B. Well, Mary Church Terrell, Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. We owe them a great debt of gratitude for opening doors of opportunity for all women, as evidenced by the election of the first African American female, Vice President Kamala Harris, and the recent nomination of the first female African American woman to the U.S. Supreme Court-Judge Katanji Brown Jackson.

Women's History Month reminds me of how important it is to acknowledge the contributions of American women in history, culture, and society daily, as opposed to just one month out of the year.

 

Antionette Peterson

I provide administrative support to the Collection Section Manager and the Refuse Collection Inspectors. My responsibilities are to ensure staff has the necessary equipment, resources, and tools, handle customer complaints regarding missed trash, recycling, bulky and yard trim pick-ups, along with other administrative duties. 

To me, Women's History Month is a time when women are acknowledged and/or celebrated for their accomplishments or the work they have done to improve the lives of someone in their community, families, or society. It is also a time to educate ourselves on other women who have contributed to society.   

 

Eunice Smith

I am an IT Project Coordinator. I provide technical and telecommunications support for the agency and respond to department wide-calls for assistance to troubleshoot various technical issues. In addition, I also maintain the mobile inventor, upgrade, and or replace the mobile device. 

What does Women's History Month Mean to me? It's all about learning from the past and finding new ways to encourage and support other women. It is a time to ponder on all the accomplishments and setbacks that we have had as women. And to reflect on the work that still needs to be done while rejoicing in the many inspiring women leaders I look up to for empowerment.  

 

Sindy Morales

Women's History Month is a moment when we can celebrate how much women have accomplished in the past for us to be where we are today.  

Our freedoms have been fought by brave women who stood up and voiced their opinions for equal rights. We strive for our daughters to be independent and empowered women who will carry the torch for generations to come. 

 

Linda Robertson

I am the office manager for the Stormwater Management Division. I provide administrative support to the Associate Director and the Supervisors for each of our six Sections/Units and all other staff. 

As I look back on the earlier years of my employment, I can see how we have stood on the shoulders of women before us, like Elizabeth Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. They have paved the way for better opportunities, higher salaries, and equality. To be given a voice to vote and share in decision-making where we once had none.

 

Cynthia Head

I am SMD's Programs Administrator, which means I am responsible for the permitting, budgeting, contracting, day-to-day operations, and project management oversight.

As a woman, having a "whatever it takes" attitude was a must in a predominantly male field when I started. A willingness to understand the mission and operations and "go the extra mile" no matter, large or small, to troubleshoot and bring successful closure to many complex issues within the Division and Department.  

"For our own success to be real, it must contribute to the success of others."- Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Carole Ann Barth

I manage DoE's Tree Conservation and Conservation Landscaping programs. I firmly believe that every County resident deserves the beauty and benefits provided by native trees and plants. This is our heritage, and it should be accessible to all. 

Women's History Month is also a celebration of heritage as we honor women like Rachel Carson, who had the courage, commitment, and audacity to become an inflection point. She defended Silent Spring, her indictment of the indiscriminate use of toxic chemicals, against an orchestrated campaign meant to discredit her. History has proved her right. Women's History Month is also an opportunity to honor all the female mentors that have shaped our lives, and all the ancestors that created the paths we walk today. 

 

Joanna Smith

I am the Section Head for the Construction Section within the Stormwater Management Division. My responsibilities include managing the construction operations and implementation of the CIP Water Quality and Flood Control Projects by handling the planning, budgeting, and making key decisions to ensure projects are in conformity with County MS4 permit and Federal and Local codes. 

Women's History Month is a time to recognize all the adversity and struggles those women before us have endured. It is also a time for me to inspire future generations of young ladies to pursue and succeed in these fields and advocate for equality. I respect those women before me who broke the barriers to advance professionally into leadership positions. Thanks to them, I can lead a team in a male-dominated career field.

 

Shellon Holloway

I am a Senior Engineer in the Sustainability Division’s Flood Management Group who applies advanced engineering practices and principles in designing, maintaining, operating and developing stormwater management and flood control facilities.

For me, Women’s History Month is a great time to uplift, encourage, and educate young people, the future leaders, about the importance of the many contributions of women who have come before us. This month gives pride, purpose, and in some instances, recognition, not just to professional women but to all women throughout the world, for the numerous ways that they have contributed throughout their communities. Women’s History Month is a time to celebrate, empower and reflect on the often-overlooked contributions of so many outstanding women and provides an opportunity to, at the very least, move toward inclusivity for women.

 

Cheryl Jones

I have been an employee with the Prince George’s County Department of the Environment – DoE (formerly the Department of Environmental Resources – DER) for 24 years as of February 2022, serving as a Budget Management Analyst, Budget Manager, Contract Manager and currently as a Procurement Liaison.

It has been a joyful experience to witness how the County has celebrated the contributions of women that have impacted Prince Georgians, the DMV, and the Nation over these past two decades. I pray that during my tenure, I’ve contributed positively to the mission of our Agency, serving my colleagues, suppliers, and the residents of Prince George’s County to the best of my ability.

 

Denice Curry

It is my honor to serve as the Manager for the Recycling Section within DoE, where I work with a highly talented and diverse team. The Recycling Section strives to provide the effective management of recyclable materials, yard trim, and food scraps and assists the County in fulfilling its goals of protecting our natural resources while promoting a better quality of life for our community.

Women’s History Month – acknowledges and applauds the undeniable value and accomplishments women bring to every facet of life, including the workforce.

 

Simone Parks

Representation matters: “There is no limit to what we, as women, can accomplish.” Michelle Obama

As the IT Coordinator for the Animal Services Division, I assist our employees with their IT needs, such as issues with equipment or logins. I manage the Chameleon Database, which contains all shelter operations. I install, upgrade, and edit the database. I created and continue to maintain the Division’s website and Facebook page.

March is identified as the month to recognize and celebrate the courage, bravery, efforts, diversity, and accomplishments of women of the past and present. Public and private organizations, agencies, and educational institutions promote activities and presentations to acknowledge women’s contributions to history, culture, and communities. The demonstrations and exhibitions in March to honor women of the past and celebrate girls and women of the present provide examples of positive representation.

Sojourner Truth, Juliet Gordon Low, Dawn Staley, Angela Alsobrooks, J.K. Rowling, Marie Curie, Dolly Parton, and Ava DuVernay are examples of women who have significantly impacted their industries. This small sample of women in politics, the arts, science, sports, and community advocacy demonstrates how they have impacted their industry, people, and the world.

 

April Ayala-Wilson

I am a Section Manager in the Resource Recovery Division of DoE/RRD, where I manage the Bulky Collections Section.

Women’s History Month is a time when many women selflessly gave of themselves to improve the lives of their families and communities. Their achievements, leadership, courage were as vital as the men in building America.

 

Marilyn Naumann

As Associate Director for the Resource Recovery Division, my responsibilities include management and oversight of 140 employees, including Engineers, Administrative Specialists, Planners, Equipment Operators, Crew Supervisors, Inspectors, Administrative Aides, Weigh Masters, General Clerks, Laborers, and Property Attendants. Facilities include an active landfill, closed landfill, Materials Recycling Facility, Organics Composting Facility, an Electronics and Household Hazardous Waste Collection Facility, and two public convenience centers. Services provided to the public encompasses residential curbside collections of household trash, bulky trash, recyclables, yard trim, and food scraps/waste, as well as multifamily and business recycling technical assistance and mandatory enforcement, enforcement of material bans, outreach, and education, as well as recycling/trash/organics cart deliveries and repair services.

The waste industry is typically male-dominated, so being a female in this position is very special, as I believe I broke through a “glass ceiling.” I encourage other women to pursue education and experience in landfill operations and waste management, including resource recovery and engineering. There is never a dull day in this line of work! I love my job and can’t imagine doing anything else.

Women’s History Month reminds me of the Women’s Suffrage movement and the fight by such people as Susan B. Anthony, Ida B. Wells, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and many more women for the right for women to vote. The 19th Amendment, which guarantees all American women the right to vote, is cherished will never be forgotten, and each time I vote, I pay tribute to these fierce women who fought so that I could have a voice by casting my vote.

 

Helen Register

My responsibility as a dedicated member of the DoE, Resource Recovery Division, Recycling Section, and Coordinator of Keep Prince George’s County Beautiful, are to provide and support opportunities for County Residents to appreciate the beauty of Prince George’s County.

Additionally, I strive to contribute effectively to the County’s commitment to develop and maintain its Waste Diversion Goals and recycling initiatives in a way that is beneficial to all, keeping Prince George’s Proud and environmentally sound.

I am honored to offer my views concerning Women’s History Month’s value, meaning, and importance. Historically, the contributions of women have been devalued or ignored. Women’s History Month provides a time for recognizing, appreciating, and celebrating the invaluable contributions made by the accomplished women in my family, the world, this country, Maryland, and more specifically, Prince George’s County. A jurisdiction with dynamic, brilliant, and committed women in leadership positions.

 

Karen Curtis

I oversee the Animal and Towing Commissions. We provide citizens of the County with due process as it pertains to their animals and vehicles. I also provide administrative support to the Associate Director of the Sustainability Services Division, which is the heart of the Department.

Women’s History Month to me is about the courageous and strong women that paved the way for all women; whether it be for freedom, justice, education, or leadership. It means that women from every aspect of life should always pay homage to the great women that came before us for all that they have done and show gratitude by continuing to walk in those footsteps so that we can be an inspiration for future generations of women to come.

 

Dawn Hawkins-Nixon

I lead the Department of the Environment’s Sustainability Division. This Division focuses on flood risk reduction, building resilience in climate change, and revitalizing communities through cleanup services.

Women’s History Month reminds me of the many remarkable and enduring ways women have enriched our lives. Women are called to show up and engage without second-guessing the value we bring to our respective community, workplace, family, and society. I think of the significant contributions that Dr. Mae Jemison has made to the world, and I think of the remarkable work women do every day to make our communities safe and whole. This month reminds me that women bring unique insight and views, and knowledge to the table. We must show up, engage and do the work for the betterment of all.

 

Vanessa Chappell-Lee, Ph.D.

At the Department of the Environment, I am honored to exercise managerial responsibilities for the Director’s Office. As Performance Manager, I am responsible for aligning the agency’s core services, goals, and objectives, timely data reporting, and boosting compliance. As the Training and Development Coordinator, I create a learning culture and enhance employee productivity through various educational programs and methods.

Aside from working at DoE, I am a licensed clinician (Social Worker Licensed Clinical Social Work Clinician LCSW-C), providing psychotherapy to families, individuals, and youth for more than 25 years. I was the first woman of color to receive a doctorate from the University of Baltimore in 2006. You can find me in my art studio painting in my spare time. To date, I have created hundreds of art mediums and original paintings. 

Women’s History Month is a month to recognize women’s contributions to this world/Nation. It is a time to reflect on the accomplishments of those who have paved the way for us to accomplish our dreams and grasp our desires. It is also a time to honor my S-HEROs (Velma Joyner- my mother, Wanda, Florence, and Melvia- my older sisters). They trailblazed a path, sacrificed much, so I could sit at various tables, accomplish dreams, achieve goals, and become the WOMAN I am today. There are not enough words for the many women and many sacrifices made and continue to be made by women so young girls and women can reach beyond the stars.

Women’s History Month reminds me that being a woman, you must be vulnerable enough, resourceful enough, and strong enough to be the difference!

 

Terri Littlejohn

I am the Deputy Associate Director at the Animal Services Division, where I oversee various aspects of the Shelter Operations, Animal Control Operations, and Environmental Crimes.

In 1978 Women’s History Month began in Santa Rosa, California, and in 1987 Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month. Congress passed other resolutions between 1988 and 1994 that gave the Presidents of the United States the authority to proclaim March of every year as Women’s History Month. The 2022 theme for Women’s History is “women providing healing, promoting hope” and is a tribute to the ongoing work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic.

I have always been inspired by the pioneering women that initially fought during the Women’s Suffrage Movement to the current ladies in Congress and the White House. President Barack Obama stated that when women and girls have access to opportunity, societies are more likely to be just, economics prosper, and governments are more likely to serve all people’s needs.

Women’s History Month is important and should be honored and recognized. We must continue to pursue and achieve gender equality, empower young girls, and fight for women’s rights.

I come from a great line of strong, intelligent, successful, beautiful, and compassionate women, starting with our family’s 91-year-old mother, the queen, and matriarch. She, along with my father, raised three boys and five girls. I celebrate my mother and all the women in my family who have helped me in my journey to become the woman I am. All hard-working, career-minded women ranging from accountants, artists, CEOs, college professors, engineers, law enforcement officers, military, parents, social workers, teachers, and our next generations of Entrepreneurs with their J -Way Company, Nursing / Home Health Care workers, Pharmacist, and the list goes on.

As I honor the women of my family, I honor us and all that we as women have done individually and collectively to run this county and move the needle forward.

 

MOJISOLA BANJOKO

I work with the Litter Reduction Program team within DoE where we seek to establish partnerships with individuals, non-profits, and municipalities and develop programs that will increase the tonnage of litter captured, removed, and prevented in communities and waterways within the County.  Some of the programs and partnerships we have include Clean Sweep, Adopt-A-Stream, Source reduction projects, Trash capture devices that will increase the capacity to remove litter in our waterways, and contractual stream cleanup services. I am hoping for a litter-free county soon.

To me, Women's History Month is the time for us to honor and reflect on the achievements of the past, present, and future trailblazers all around the globe. It is also a time to learn from their past achievements in other to expand our sense and knowledge of the possibilities and find new ways to support and encourage women in general while at the same time creating a better future for the coming generations

 

Gabriel McConnell

I am an Administrative Assistant within the Strategic Services Division. I assist 

the Human Resource Office in maintaining and developing effective internal procedures, handling employee-related issues, supporting recruiting and retention efforts, and keeping performance at peak levels. I try to employ good-natured strategies and nurture job satisfaction while complying with policies and requirements.

Women’s History Month is all about learning from the past and finding new ways to encourage and support continued growth and change. It’s about remembering to honor all the strong, brave, and resilient women who have sacrificed and created new norms for the women of today. I’m grateful for the reminder to stop and appreciate the women, particularly women of color, who came before me— and made many things I take for granted possible. It’s a month to ‘re-energize’ and continue to make positive things happen despite obstacles.

 

Diane Pringle

I am an Administrative Assistant in the Stormwater Management Division under the Inspection and Compliance section. I mainly provide processing assistance for the Rain Check Rebate Program, which is committed to improving the quality of life for Prince Georgians by promoting green solutions to stormwater runoff.

Women’s History Month (WHM) is a celebration that reminds us to recognize the deeds and efforts of the brave women of the past that inspired the women of today to perform to the highest level and encourage other generations to contribute their strength and ability toward a better future. WHM is a celebration acknowledging that women are powerful beings with strong character, capable of accepting demanding tasks and carrying them out successfully.