 Throughout March we will be celebrating Maryland women!
In 1985 the Maryland Commission for Women partnered with the Women Legislators of Maryland and the Maryland State Archives to establish the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. More than 200 women with historic accomplishments in business, science, the arts and humanities, law and other fields have been inducted.
In 2024 and 2025, as part of our focus on supporting women who run for elected office, we are inducting "Maryland Firsts" - women who have historic political accomplishments. This coincides with the release of our 2025 Maryland Women in Elected Office Report.
Announcing "Maryland's Firsts"
The 2025 Maryland Women's Hall of Fame Inductees
The Honorable Kathleen Kennedy Townsend has had a distinguished career in public service, leading initiatives in crime reduction, women's rights, and workforce development as Maryland's first female Lieutenant Governor.
To read her complete biography, visit our website.
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The Honorable Maggie McIntosh served Baltimore City in the Maryland House of Delegates from 1992 to 2023, making history as the first woman to serve as Democratic Majority Leader and the first woman to chair the powerful Appropriations Committee. She was also the first openly LGBTQ legislator elected in Maryland.
To read her complete biography, visit our website.
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Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk has dedicated her career to justice, healthcare access, and equity, serving as the Chair of the Health and Government Operations Committee in Maryland’s Legislative District 21. She has passed over 100 groundbreaking bills, and is the first Latina to Chair a standing committee. She is also the founding chair of the Latino Caucus.
To read her complete biography, visit our website.
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Chief Donna Wolf Mother Abbott, a lifelong resident of lower Dorchester County, MD, has been a Radiologic Technologist for over 30 years, currently working at Johns Hopkins Hospital. As the first woman Chief of the Nause-Waiwash Band of Indians, she has led efforts to preserve the tribe's culture, secure historic designations, and foster relationships with other tribes and state agencies. To read her complete biography, visit our Website.
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Maryland Young Women Leaders Awards Winners!
Thank you to everyone who applied for our Young Women Leaders Award. We received more than 120 applications from inspiring young women across the state working on issues that affect women and girls.
Our four amazing 2025 Young Women Leaders Award Winners inspire us with the extraordinary work they are are doing in their communities. They will each receive a citation from Governor Moore and a $2,000 award from the Foundation for the Maryland Commission for Women.
Read more about their accomplishments and commitment to advancing women's rights and opportunities below.
Zulema Delacruz Martinez is an advocate for first-generation college students, with a special focus on Latinas. She also works to raise awareness about the treatment of Hispanic and Latina women in the workforce on Maryland's eastern shore. The daughter of Guatemalan and Mexican immigrants, Zulema is a certified community interpreter and a mentor to high school students considering college. She uses communication skills to dismantle fears and myths about the college application process. Zulema was nominated by Dr. LaSella L. Hall, Director of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Chesapeake College.
Favour Gam aims to amplify Black feminist thought through literature. She also conducts policy research and works to address period poverty. In the summer of 2024, she served as a policy research intern for the African American Policy Forum (AAPF), examining menstrual health disparities affecting Black girls and gender-expansive youth. She also received a grant from the Washington Women’s Foundation Rock Star Fund to complete a book highlighting the lived experiences of young Black girls. Favour also serves as the historian for the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) University of Maryland chapter. Favour was recommended by Chika Onwuvuche, Program Officer for the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.
Kambria Kyle is an advocate for women in the military who worked to break barriers in JROTC at Northern Garrett High School. To establish female leadership as not a rarity but the norm, Kambria has committed to surpassing standards once deemed far too high for “the girls” by earning a place in leadership positions, such as JROTC Battalion Commander and Raider Captain. She is elected President of the Garrett County Association of Student Councils. Kambria is also a fierce advocate for postpartum support for women and maternal mental health services. She has been accepted to the United States Military Academy at West Point. Kambria was recommended by MAJ (R ) Steven J. Hershfeldt, Senior Army Instructor, Northern Garrett High School.
Ta’mira Thomas draws on her compassion and resilience to advocate for young women in out-of-home (foster) care. Through her work with the Howard County Youth Advisory Board, Ta'mira advises policymakers at the local and state level about the needs of young women in out-of-home care. As President of the Board in 2022 and 2024, she led initiatives to support the houseless through hygiene bags, food supplies, and shelter resources. Passionate about women's health, she is currently pursuing a CNA certification and plans to become an obstetrician registered nurse. Ta’mira was recommended by Toya Spicer, LMSW, a social worker and Independent Living Coordinator with the Howard County Department of Social Services.
Future Trailblazers Award Winners!
Due to the overwhelming interest in our awards program this year, we decided to award seven additional "Future Trailblazers" Awards. These awardees are:
Gaargi Bora, Howard County. A passionate advocate for women’s leadership and financial literacy. Recommended by Maryland Delegate Pam Lanman Guzzone (D-13).
Camila Chi, Montgomery County. Works to elect women and mentor newcomers facing language barriers. Nominated by Rebecca Singhavong, Latinas Leading Tomorrow.
Alianna Hines, Prince George’s County. The CEO and Founder of Junior Flips is dedicated to empowering women through economic independence. Recommended by Ben Fields, CEO of September Development, Inc.
Malaya Mason, Baltimore County. A dedicated political activist and advocate for women’s rights who campaigned tirelessly to elect women to office. Recommended by Kyli Ross, President of the Morgan State Section of Black Girls Vote.
Ryan Reed, Prince George’s County. Works to support women who have experienced abuse and address gender inequalities in athletics. Recommended by Daryl Dudley, CEO of She’s My Daughter.
Daniela Renderos, Montgomery County. A passionate advocate for women in STEM and educational equity. Recommended by Wendy Ayala, Director, Scholars Program, Collegiate Directions, Inc.
Anushka Tyagi, Frederick, Maryland. A dedicated advocate for women in STEM and women’s empowerment locally and internationally. Recommended by Caylee M. Winpiegler, Community Impact Manager and Frederick Youth Council Mentor at the Ausherman Family Foundation.
Read More about the Future Trailblazers Award Winners
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