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BALTIMORE, Md. (April 4, 2014)—Today, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the winners of her Inspired to Inspire: A Sisterhood of Women contest. Throughout the month of March, which is Women’s History Month, the mayor’s office accepted letters nominating women who live in Baltimore City and have been a positive influence in the lives of others. Seven women have been selected to receive special recognition on WBFF-FOX45. The winners will also be invited to participate in a recognition luncheon with Mayor Rawlings-Blake at Fleet Street Kitchen.
“I was thrilled to celebrate Women’s History Month with Inspired to Inspire: A Sisterhood of Women,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “Women’s History Month gives us the opportunity to tip our hat and remember the trailblazing women who have shown us what’s possible. There are a lot of ways to give back to your community, and I want to say ‘thank you’ to the women in Baltimore whose actions make them incredible role models.”
The winners of the Inspired to Inspire: A Sisterhood of Women contest are:
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Pamela Curtis Massey
CEO & Founder, Pushing the Vision Outreach
Pamela Curtis Massey is dedicated to serving Baltimore City's neglected and underserved populations, extending her activism and mentorship to abused women & children and the homeless through her organization, Pushing the Vision Outreach, Inc. She skillfully balances her work life and community activism with her responsibilities as a wife and mother of two sons.
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Colleen Samantha Smith
Co-Founder & Director, Captivate Kids Ministry
Colleen Samantha “Miss Co-Co” Smith came to Baltimore City as a young adult with the intent to make a difference in the lives of children. In her journey to overcome an abusive past, she lost over 300 pounds, rediscovered herself, and renewed her faith. She now works to inspire and reach out to others in need, particularly abused children and young girls living on the streets.
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Beth Laverick
Events Manager, Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Inc.
Elizabeth Laverick is a proud Baltimore City resident. In her personal life and as events manager for both the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Inc. and the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance, she is passionate about sharing the excitement of city life with everyone around her. She runs a babysitting service, moderates the Southeast Baltimore Community listserv, volunteers with Friends of Patterson Park, and is an active member of the Thomas Johnson Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization.
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Lela Campbell
Executive Director, A Step Forward, Inc.
Lela Campbell is devoted to helping those living with addiction, mental health issues, and chronic homelessness. She demonstrates her passion as executive director of A Step Forward, Inc., where she fosters a safe environment for women to help keep families together. She is a certified counselor who continues to advance her skills and education and is currently working toward her Ph.D.
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Shirley Gregory
President, St. Helena Community Association
Shirley Gregory works to improve her Baltimore City community, St. Helena, by organizing volunteers, managing community projects, and pursuing action against blighted properties. She has managed the community newsletter for nearly 10 years. She is a member of Dundalk Patapsco Neck Historical Society, Harbor Team, South East Presidents’ Council, and Southeastern Neighborhoods Development, and a board member of the Dundalk Reissuance Corporation.
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Takee Jobe
Founder, Girls Leadership Academics Mentoring, Inc. (GLAM)
Takee Jobe is a graduate of Western High School. She founded Girls Leadership Academics Mentoring, Inc. to make a difference in her community and in the lives of other young women. Over the past three years, she has expanded the program and provided opportunities that may not have otherwise been possible.
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Rosalie (Davis) Melvin
Registered Nurse & Comfort Food Ministry
Rosalie Melvin grew up in South Carolina during the time of the Jim Crow era. She began picking cotton at the age of 6. Even though she was often required to miss school to help her family make ends meet, she always knew she wanted to be a nurse. Despite institutionalized discrimination, she was determined to receive an education. She became a registered nurse and raised her family as a single mother, often working 16 hour shifts. She has spent her life caring for the sick and elderly, and, at the age of 81, she is still working hard to help those in need. When she is not nursing, she volunteers with Comfort Food Ministry at St. Bernardine’s Roman Catholic Church.
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In celebration of Women’s History Month, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake presented a series of events and inspirational videos under the banner of Inspired to Inspire: A Sisterhood of Women—the capstone of which was the mayor’s citywide contest, sponsored by WBFF-FOX45 and Fleet Street Kitchen. For more information about the Inspired to Inspire: A Sisterhood of Women contest, visit www.baltimorecity.gov/inspired or www.facebook.com/inspiredtoinspirecontest.
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