Waldorf, MD – To give is to receive, some say, and for the Community Foundation of Southern Maryland, it’s all about giving.

The Foundation held its ninth annual Philathropy Day Luncheon Friday, Nov. 7, recognizing those in Southern Maryland who exemplify community service, at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees in Waldorf.

Inductees into the Foundation’s included Mary Louise Booth Webb, Shirley and Stephen Mattingly and the Southern Maryland Women’s League Inc.

Keynote Speaker Margaret Dunkle, credited with helping spur Title IX as co-author of a 1974 report that spawned equality for women in sports, was inducted as well. She said that while sports was not the reason Title IX was enacted, it was women’s sports that propelled the story to the front page.

“It’s grounded in basic fairness,” she said. “Title IX was the most important piece of legislation for women and girls since 1920. We soon learned my little report was a first, before there was even a definition of what Title IX was.

“When you think about it, things are so different today,” Dunkle added. “At Huntingtown High School in Calvert County, there are girls going to college on athletic scholarships.

“The journey to fairness continues,” she added. “There is still much to do ensuring a fair playing field in sports and in life.”

Among the inductees in the Philanthropy Hall of Fame was Mary Louise Booth Webb. Dorothea Smith introduced Webb by saying, “I first met this young lady, who is 90 years old, exactly 20 years old when I was a classroom teacher at John Hanson Middle School. Mrs. Webb came and talked to my class about her experiences growing up in Charles County.

“This is a lady who never stops going. She is compassionate and caring to do many others. We still call her that amazing lady.”

Shirley and Stephen D. Mattingly were honored for their work with Stephen’s Fund, a foundation set up in memory of their late son, Stephen, born with Downs Syndrome and diagnosed with Leukemia at age 6. In collaboration with the Charlotte Hall Rotary Club, Stephen’s Fund has raised $30,000 to high school students in scholarships.

“When our son was born in 1989, we didn’t realize he had Downs Syndrome,” Steve said. “We hadn’t really been exposed with the disabled. I remember someone telling us that some people would just put their children up for adoption. My reaction was, ‘are you nuts? This is our child.’

“In taking care of him, he took care of us,” he said. “He showed us a side of life we weren’t prepared for. His spirit lives on in us.”

The Southern Maryland Women’s League, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, strengthening and supporting women and issues of importance, was also recognized.

The organization has realized $230,000 through its fundraising endeavors, $170,000 of which has gone to nonprofit agencies throughout Southern Maryland. Eighty thousand dollars was distributed to Catholic Charities, in particular, the Angel’s Watch women’s shelter.

Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com