Leonardtown, MD – Each March the St. Mary’s County Commission for Women celebrates Women’s History Month with a banquet. This year’s event celebrated three local women for their contributions to the quality of life in the county.
Former St. Mary’s County Commissioner President Barbara Thompson was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her 20+ years of giving back and active service in countless community organizations. Her experiences admirably fit the national theme “Trailblazing Women in Business and Labor”.
Lillian Cavanagh, a Great Mills High School senior, was presented with the 2017 Tomorrow’s Woman Award for her leadership in Relay for Life of St. Mary’s County. Other nominees included Rachel Bruce, from Chopticon High School; Sydney Guy, from St. Mary’s Ryken High School; Makayla Hudziak, from Great Mills High School; Taylor Jackson, from Great Mills High School and The Forrest Career and Technology Center and Tanasia Miles, from King’s Christian Academy.
Patricia Brady was the recipient of the 2017 Woman of the Year Award for her tireless advocacy to the homeless, veterans and others needing assistance in our community. Other nominees included Martha Davie, Masae Grace Fuller, Virginia Himes, Jennifer Hollingsworth, Lisa Horton, Barbara Ives, Myssi Newton-Williams, Louise Snell, Stevie-Marie Starks, Bonnie Trader, Jessica Vallandingham, Shirley Vatter and Delores Harris Wilson.
“They’re all winners in our books and our community is so much better off with them in it,” said Commission for Women President Norma Pipkin of the nominees.
Proceeds from the banquet go toward education materials and the Jane Hale Sypher Scholarship at the College of Southern Maryland.