Upper Marlboro, MD – Standing before nearly 1000 attendees, Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III hosted the grand finale Women’s History Month Luncheon for his Administration on Thursday, March 15^th at Martin’s Crosswinds in Greenbelt, Maryland. The mistress of ceremonies was charismatic news anchor Julie Wright of ABC7/WJLA-TV and NewsChannel 8’s week day Good Morning Washington and NewsChannel 8’s popular talk show Let’s Talk Live. The luncheon theme was “Serving All, Serving Together.”

The luncheon commenced with the ceremonial presentation of colors by the Prince George’s County Color Guard, representing Prince George’s County’s Sheriff’s Department, Fire/EMS and the Department of Corrections. The National Anthem, was soulfully sung by Lochelle “Shellie” Ferguson, the Reverend Thea Wilson, Associate Pastor of First Baptist Church of Glenarden delivered the invocation, LaVonn Reedy Thomas, Women’s History Month Committee Chair, delivered reflective remarks regarding the occasion and world renowned Harpist and R&B recording artist, Tulani gave a riveting performance during the luncheon program intermission.

County Executive Baker and his eldest daughter, Aja Baker took center stage and thanked his wife and First Lady, Christa Beverly, children Rushern Baker IV (in the audience) and youngest daughter Quinci, and daughter-in-law Annie for all of their unconditional love, sacrifices and support. He further thanked his work family for all their hard work that made it possible for him to fulfill and surpass his vision of serving the people of Prince George’s County. Additionally, Baker expressed personal sentiments as Glenda Wilson, Chief of Staff, Nicholas Majett, Chief Administrative Officer as well as his Deputy Chief Administrative Officers (DCAOs): Betty Francis, Thomas Himler, Barry Stanton, Mark McGaw, along with Assistant DCAOs Bradley Frome and David Iannucci, were all asked to stand and be recognized as part of his leadership team. He further saluted the entire staff of the Office of the County Executive and the dedicated employees of Prince George’s County government.

“I wanted to come up and personally thank all of you in this moment. This is such a befitting tribute! And, I want you to know that without the women of our County’s workforce, there would be no Baker Administration. It is not because you are women that make you the best persons for the job, it is because you are qualified, professional and committed to serving the people of Prince George’s County.” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III.

The upbeat momentum and excitement continued during the second half of the Women’s History Month Luncheon (WHML) program as County Executive Baker, Julie Wright, Prince George’s County Council Chair Dannielle Glaros, Daisy Rickert, Latino Affairs Liaison, and Oretha Bridgwaters-Simms, Prince George’s Community College Board of Trustees, presented the following awards:

The highly coveted 2018 Gladys Noon Spellman Public Service Award was presented to native Prince Georgian, Dr. Beatrice Tignor, Municipal Liaison for the Office of the County Executive. Each year, this award is presented to a Prince George’s County female employee, who exemplifies the qualities of public service and personal integrity demonstrated by the Honorable Gladys Noon Spellman during her career and lifetime as a dedicated educator, County Council member and member of the United States Congress for three terms beginning in 1974.

Dr. Tignor’s dedicated servant leadership roles past and present span over fifty decades in all levels of education, procurement, local and state politics/government throughout the Maryland Region. She has served as a trail blazer and paved the way for women, who currently have careers in politics today. She was also elected to the Maryland House of Delegates and later served as a State Senator. She has received awards as Delegate of the Year for her work with the disabled and as Senator of the Year for her contributions in education. During her tenure as Director of Procurement for Montgomery County government, the County won a National Award from Harvard School of Government for an innovative electronic procurement system. Among her other accomplishments, appointments, and awards include current and previous roles as Board Member of the Prince George’s Community Foundation, Doctors Hospital, the National President of the Bowie State University Alumni and Bowie State Foundation. She was also appointed to the Prince George's Community College Board of Trustees, Democratic National Committeewoman, and the American Red Cross. She has been named to Maryland's Women Hall of Fame and honored as a Prince Georgian of the Year. In her current job as Municipal Liaison, she has done a superior job on behalf of the Baker Administration cultivating relationships and keeping the lines of communication open with the 29 municipalities to work in complement with their needs and goals.

“The best rewards come from the people that know me and I am truly honored that my contributions coincide with the overall framework of the Baker Administration and benefit the many people we serve collectively,” said Dr. Beatrice Tignor.

Makenzie Simmons, Frederick Douglass High School International Baccalaureate student, was awarded as the 2018 Gladys Noon Spellman Scholarship Award Recipient. She will receive $2,000 for tuition at her college of choice in the Fall. Gladys Noon Spellman was a strong proponent of education as well as a former educator.

In addition, two stand out County agencies were presented with Special Recognition Awards. The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Prince George’s County, lead by Planning Board Chairman Elizabeth Hewlett and Public Affairs Director, Andrea Davey, were recognized for their overall assistance over the past eight years as project partners. The Human Relations Commission, lead by Executive Director Michael Lyles, was highlighted for their commendable progress and support of women focused complaints and issues such as civil rights violations. They were also recognized for the Human Trafficking Task Force and their on-going efforts to protect victims. Vice Chairman, Janelle Johnson accepted this award on behalf of the Commission.

Prince George’s County Council Chair, Dannielle Glaros presented the 2018 WInG Award which was established to recognize women in government for their innovative, informative, inspirational and influential contributions to County Government. Stephanye Maxwell, Esq., Director, Office of Human Resources Management, Valerie Farrar and Nena McNeil, also of the Office of Human Resources Management, received awards for their collective efforts that have greatly propelled the County’s Youth@work Summer Youth Enrichment Program.

After legislation was adopted due to a dire need for the County’s teenage youth to have constructive, educational and financial opportunities during summer break from school, Director Maxwell accepted the charge by expanding the County’s summer youth program. Their collective efforts resulted in new corporate partnerships, record numbers of summer youth employees participating in the program, educational components through job readiness training, and career-focused summer placement of students.

A surprise WInG Award was presented by County Executive Baker to LaVonn Reedy Thomas, Community Affairs Manager for the Office of the County Executive and WHML Chair, for her role in conceptualizing, defining the scope and purpose of the WInG award that debuted during the 2015 luncheon and is now a mainstay of the program.

“The WInG award has certainly added another tier of anticipation and most significantly, has been favorably received as another category of recognizing the hard-working women of the County Government’s workforce. This well-deserved recognition is presented to LaVonn, who works diligently behind the scenes to produce and execute this flawless event year after year that makes our office and County look good!” said County Executive Baker.

“It has been my pleasure and humble honor to host this inspirational afternoon of recognition for the past eight years, there would be no progress if we did not have women in our workforce making a difference in their respective capacities. With over 900,000 residents and citizens and our partners in business, faith and service, it takes a lot of ingenuity, dedication and hard work to meet the vast array of needs of the people of this great County. In a few simple words, with heartfelt gratitude, thank you and God bless you all for this opportunity to pass through your lives and serve you.”

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Gold Sponsors 

Prince George’s County Council Member, Derrick Leon Davis

Prince George’s County Council Member, Andrea C. Harrison

Purple Sponsors

Senator Anthony Muse

Prince George’s County State’s Attorney, Angela D. Alsobrooks

The Honorable Ingrid Turner, Judge for the Seventh Circuit Court

Prince George’s Economic Development Corporation (EDC)

Ivy Community Charities

Greater Baden Medical Services

Mall at PGC

Prince George’s Community College

Southern Management Corporation

Prince George’s Conference and Visitors Bureau

Arts & Humanities Council

Family Conference

Prince George’s County Council Member Karen R. Toles

Prince George’s County Clerk of the Court, Sydney Harrison

Prince George’s County Council Member Obie Patterson

Prince George’s County Council Member Mel Franklin

Prince George’s County Council Deni Taveras

Prince George’s County Council Todd Turner