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Friday, April 3, 2026 | Special Edition: Women's History Month Luncheon |
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 A Message from the County Executive
Dear Prince Georgians,
I was elated to host the 40th Annual Women’s History Month Luncheon on Thursday, March 26, 2026, to honor and celebrate women in Prince George’s County who are breaking barriers, leading industries, raising families, building businesses, and serving our communities with excellence every single day.
This year’s Women’s History Month theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” feels like it was made specifically for the women of Prince George’s County. The County is being elevated by many trailblazing women who serve in an unwavering capacity to ensure Prince George’s County—a place nearly 1 million people call home—continues to thrive, redefine itself, and ELEVATE.
And to every woman who serves this County — whether you're keeping our transit system moving, responding to emergencies as an EMS professional, keeping our buildings safe as a security officer, or making sure the everyday services are operational — your work is seen, your contributions are valued, and this annual celebration is for you.
I’d like to take a moment to highlight a few dynamic women leaders: my Chief Administrative Officer, Maxene Bardwell, Chief of Staff, LaTara Harris, and my Deputy Chief of Staff, Chauka Khan Reid, who are the backbone of my administration. They each serve every day with a heart of service, bringing grace, brilliance, and dedication to Prince George’s County.
I would like to thank Director of Strategic Partnerships, Ijeoma “IJ” Idika for her incredible work in bringing these inspirational events together for Prince Georgians. Your hard work, effort, and commitment to excellence were on full display in every detail of this event.
I also would like to highlight Council Chair Krystal Oriadha and thank her for her advocacy that consistently and unapologetically puts Prince Georgians first. This is an exemplary woman who reminds us every day that as women, there is power in our voices and unique experiences. And that power cannot be ignored.
As County Executive, I am deeply honored to have hosted this moment with over powerful 1000 women. I am proud to continue this long-standing tradition of celebrating women in the County and their contributions to our future. More than anything, these spaces are also about uplifting the next generation—the young girls who are watching us, learning from both our successes and our missteps, and finding the courage to dream bigger than we ever could. Michelle Obama once said, “Women and girls can do whatever they want. There is no limit to what we as women can accomplish.” That is a statement that everyone should reflect on. Remember, you are boundless to the achievements that await your tomorrow, but it starts with the work you put in today.
Highlighting additional women who make up the Braveboy Administration:
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Tracy Benjamin, DCAO of Economic Development
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Giovanna Taylor, Chief Impact & Strategy Officer
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Keisha Ricks, Social Media & Marketing Manager
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Dr. Karen Johnson Moore, Director of Government Operations
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Thelmetria “Meme” Michaelides, Fire Chief
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Chanel Dickerson, Office of Community Relations Director
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Stephanie Bridgeforth, Acting Director of Human Resources Management
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Dr. Katina Gomez, Director of Homeland Security
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Linda Allen, Director of Finance
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Alice Williams, Director of Procurement and Purchasing Agent
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Angela Fair, Director of Management and Budget
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Elana Belon-Butler, Director of Family Services
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Jennifer Amaya Thompson, Director of Social Services
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Dr. Toyin Opesanmi, Health Officer of Health Department
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Cynthia Bridgforth, Esq., Director Office of Inspector General
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Wendy Honesty-Bey, Director Board of Elections
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Judith Danso, Esq., Executive Director of Revenue Authority
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Nicole Garrett, Acting Interim Director of Housing Authority
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Leslie Graves, Executive Director of Experience Prince George’s
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Ingrid Watson, President and CEO of Economic Development Corporation
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Dawn Medley, President & CEO of FSC First
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Rhonda Dallas, CEO & Chief Curator of Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council
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Thank you again to all our incredible sponsors of this year’s Women’s History Month Luncheon. A special shout out to our presenting sponsors: WSSC Water, Underwood Consulting Firm, LLC, and Total Civil Construction and Engineering. Please follow our journey on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, YouTube, Nextdoor, and Flickr.
Prince George's County Executive
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Across Prince George’s County Government, women are elevating and transforming the way we serve Prince Georgians. Several women across our DCAO clusters were honored with the for their work and support in moving Prince George’s County forward.
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Tonya James, Chief Safety & Enforcement Officer of Revenue Authority
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Chaleta Lowery, Information Technology Manager of Office of Procurement
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Sergeant Clorrina Alexander, Sergeant within Department of Corrections
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Erica Turner, Associate DCAO of Health, Human Services and Education
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Oluseyi Olugbenle, Deputy Director of Department of Public Works and Transportation
I am sending a special congratulations to three impressive PGCPS high school seniors who are now 2026 Gladys Noon Spellman Scholarship Award recipients. Each of the three young ladies are receiving $2,500 to go towards covering some of their college costs when they begin their freshman year in the fall.
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Saniya Pearson, Central High School senior
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Dia Dalton, Charles Herbert Flowers High School senior
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Melanie Hanciles, Oxon Hill High School senior
It is with great pride and gratitude that I announce the 2026 recipient of the Gladys Noon Spellman Public Service Award is the newly confirmed Director of the Office of Management and Budget Angela Fair-Baker.
Ms. Fair has had a vast public service career, climbing the ranks of the Office of Management and Budget, from her first OMB role over 25 years ago. Ms. Fair’s work is laying the groundwork needed for us to continue elevating Prince George’s County. With her strategic leadership and deep understanding of County operations, we are fiscally in the best hands of someone dedicated to optimizing operations to better serve Prince Georgians and visitors.
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