The 2009 Woman of the Year Banquet with the theme: Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet. was held on March 18 where out of five nominees; Marie Kurtz took top honors for Community Service, and for her work in the environment, Kimberly Howe, took the high honor.

 
The other Honorees were Catherine Clay (Community Service), Amy Smith (Community Service), and Linda Vallandingham (Environment) for their invaluable contributions and service to the community.
 
This year the judges, for the first time selected from outside the Commission for Woman, report that they had a very difficult task choosing the eventual top honorees. Judging the competition were Lynn Fitrell, with the Maryland Commission for Women; Caroline Miller with the St. Mary’s County Commission for the Environment; Jacki Raley Meiser, Executive Director/General Counsel of St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission; Maureen Pomerville, 2008 Woman of the Year for Community Service; and tireless community advocate Ellen Scott.
 
Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski, Sen. Benjamin A. Cardin, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer sent representatives to honor the nominees and eventual winners. The St. Mary’s County Commissioners honored all the nominees and laid praise on the women selected as Women of the Year for 2009 including Commissioner President Francis Jack Russell and Commissioners Daniel H. Raley and Thomas A. Mattingly, Sr.
 
Councilwoman Leslie E. Roberts from the Leonardtown Council also attended and recognized the importance of the work the Honorees did in the community as well.
 
The event was hosted by the James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center and, once again, Ms. Bonnie Kelly coordinated the event and Chef Ron Grosche and the students of the Culinary Arts Department provided a great meal.
 
At the festivities, Dr. Margaret Palmer of the Chesapeake Biological Lab gave the keynote address and John Pomerville provided the entertainment.
 
The St. Mary’s Commission for Women indicated that those who would like to receive a nominating packet for the 2010 Women’s History Month Banquet should contact Stephanie Figeroux at (301) 475-4200, ext. 1849. When the request for nominations goes out, a packet will be sent to those having previously contacted the Commission.