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| Maryland Women's Heritage Center | Volume 3, Issue 2
Winter 2011
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"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" -Martin Luther King, Jr. , Prominent Civil Rights Leader In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr., we honor all those who have been involved in the areas of civil, human and legal rights.
We are especially proud to highlight many Maryland women currently in our Generations of Justice timeline display.
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501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization
39 West Lexington Street, Baltimore
(At the corner of Liberty and Lexington Streets)
Admission is Free!!!
Hours of operation: Wednesday - Saturday,
10 am - 4 pm
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Maryland Women's Heritage Center
501 (c) (3) Non-Profit Organization
Frances Hughes Glendening, Former First Lady of Maryland and President of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center
Jill Moss Greenberg, Executive Director
Catherine "Katie" Curran O'Malley, First Lady of Maryland
Kendel S. Ehrlich, Former First Lady of Maryland
Nancy S. Grasmick, Maryland State Superintendent of Schools
Sharon Pinder, The Pinder Group, LLC
Michelle Duffy Orr, Treasurer
Helen Holton, Baltimore City Councilwoman and Chair of the Maryland Commission for Women
Shoshana S. Cardin, Honorary Development Chair
Audrey E. Scott, Co-Chair, Development Committee
Betty Buck, Co-Chair, Development Committee, and President of Buck Distributing Co., Inc.
Linda A. Shevitz, Program/Education Chair and Coordinator of the Maryland Women's History Project and Title IX Coordinator at the Maryland State Department of Education
Susan Morris Shaffer, Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium
Mark L. Shaffer, Counsel and Site Selection Chair Charles Edward Senseney, Accountant Lori Askinazi Diana Bailey
Sarian Bouma
Lynne Brick
Linda Busick Penny Chrissomallis Rita R. Colwell Patricia E. Cornish Catherine R. Gira Joanne T. Goldsmith
Artis G. Hampshire-Cowan
William "Brit" Kirwan Juanita Tamayo Lott David H. Nevins Jo-Ann Mayer Orlinsky Maria Torres Queral Rita L. Robinson Carole Sibel Nancy Lindberg Sloane Carolyn B. Stegman
Rhonda Tomlinson
Carmen Delgado Votaw Sue Ward Kathy Wilmot Honorary Board:
Dominique Dawes, Olympic Champion
Helen Delich Bentley, Former Congresswoman and First Woman Director of the U. S. Maritime Commission
Barbara A. Mikulski, United States Senator
Cokie Roberts, Commentator and Author
Nora Roberts, International Best-Selling Author of Mystery and Romance Novels
*Lucille Clifton, Poet and Author, Former Maryland Poet Laureate (*Deceased)
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Quarterly Newsletter
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center's quarterly newsletter provides updates on events and activities of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center. If you have any comments or questions, please e-mail us. |
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 Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is honored to host the official book launch of award-winning children's author Jerdine Nolen's first novel and latest book, Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary!
This meet and greet and book signing takes place at the Maryland Women's Heritage Center on Saturday, January 22, 2 - 4 pm.
Admission is free.
Call 410-767-0675 or visit our website for additional information.
 This special event is co-sponsored by the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History & Culture, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, and WomanTalk Live.
Copies of Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary will be available for purchase. Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary, geared towards readers' ages 8 - 12 years old, is an historical fiction book written in a diary format telling the story of a 12-year-old slave girl named Eliza and her journey to freedom. Jerdine Nolen is an award-winning children's author and former elementary school teacher from Ellicott City, Md. She is the author of numerous picture books, including Raising Dragons, Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, Thunder Rose, Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life, Plantzilla, and Christmas in the Time of Billy Lee. Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary is Jerdine Nolen's first novel and latest book. |
 Vote! The Life and Work of Sadie Jacobs Crockin 1879-1965
Currently on display at the Maryland Women's Heritage Center through Monday, February 7, 2011, Vote! The Life and Work of Sadie Jacobs Crockin 1879-1965 is a special exhibition on loan from the Jewish Museum of Maryland.
From the Jewish Museum of Maryland:
As a woman, an American, and a Jew, Sadie Jacobs Crockin championed many causes. Throughout her life, she brought women together in organizations that empowered diverse Americans to participate fully in civic life. Crockin exemplified the college-educated, progressive 'New Woman' of her day who joined women's club for self-improvement and to effect social change. Under her leadership, the Baltimore chapter of the League of Women Voters helped women exercise their newly won right to vote. She was the founding president of the Baltimore chapter of Hadassah, the first Zionist women's organization. Once she had firmly established these and other organizations locally, Crockin achieved statewide prominence as an advocate for social justice and women's rights.
Vote! The Life and Work of Sadie Jacobs Crockin 1870-1965 has been curated by the Jewish Museum of Maryland. The exhibition is made possible with generous support from: League of Women Voters of Baltimore City; Sadie Crockin Memorial Fund; Mayer Crockin Leibman, MD, and David B.Leibman, DPA; Arthur Crockin and Sally T. Grant.
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Wom en's Legislative Briefing
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is a co-sponsor of the Montgomery County Commission for Women's 31st annual Women's Legislative Briefing.
This year's event takes place Sunday, January 30, 12:30 - 5:30 pm, at the University of Maryland, Shady Grove Campus (Building II), 9630 Gudelsky Drive, Rockville.
A distinguished group of experts will discuss important legislative initiatives affecting women and families. Legislation in the upcoming sessions of the Maryland General Assembly and the U.S. Congress will be covered. The cost to attend is $15 per person, and to register, or for more information, contact the Montgomery County Commission for Women at 240-777-8330 or [email protected].
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 MWHC at University of Maryland Women's Basketball
The University of Maryland Women's Basketball hosts the Maryland Women's Heritage Center on Sunday, February 6, as the Lady Terps take on NC State at the Comcast Center at the University of Maryland, College Park. Game time is 12 noon, and doors open at 11 am.
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center will be included on in-game announcements and will have a display table set-up in the Concourse with information/literature about the Center!
General admission tickets can be purchased at the Comcast Arena in advance or on the day of the game. For single tickets (cost is $10 for adults for general admission and $8 for youth and senior citizens), call 1-800-IM-A-TERP, or for group orders of 20 or more, contact Maryland Sports Marketing at 301-314-1339 or [email protected].
We hope to see you there!
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Women's History Month 2011
March is Women's History Month! Help us in celebrating Maryland women of the past, present and future!
The national theme for Women's History Month 2011 is "Our History Is Our Strength."
Here are a few exciting events and activities that the Maryland Women's Heritage Center has planned in March 2011.
A full list of Women's History Month events taking place throughout the State of Maryland is available on our website.
If you know of an event that is not listed, please submit it for inclusion on our calendar.
Women's Art: Women's Vision
Saturday, March 5 - Saturday, April 2, 2011
World Trade Center, 401 East Pratt Street, Baltimore
Sponsored and funded by AARP Maryland, the Maryland Women's Heritage Center showcases artwork by Maryland women artists over the age of 50.*
*We are still looking for Maryland women artists over the age of 50 who would like to exhibit. If interested, please e-mail Ellie Elgin or contact the Maryland Women's Heritage Center at 410-767-0675.
Girl Power! Reach for the Sky
Sunday, March 6, 2011, 3 - 5 pm
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, 11100 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is an official supporter of this event presented by The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, The Women's Giving Circle of Howard County, Maryland Space Business Roundtable, and Multinational Development of Women in Technology (MDWIT). This free event encourages girls to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and includes hands-on activities, demonstrations, displays, and career representatives from a variety of STEM industries. To register, or for more information, contact www.jhuapl.edu.
It's Your Story --- Tell It!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011, 5 - 8:15 pm
Maryland Women's Heritage Center, 39 West Lexington Street, Baltimore
Admission is $25 for adults or two cans of non-perishable food items for youth under the age of 18 to be donated to the Girl Scouts' Harvest for the Hungry Campaign
The fifth annual Girl Scouts of Central Maryland Women's Leadership Forum is co-hosted by the Maryland Women's Heritage Center, Junior League of Baltimore, and Mercy High School. This annual forum is an opportunity for girls and women to come together to discuss opportunities and challenges from a variety of career and community perspectives. This year's event features a literary panel of local women authors, including Ginny Gong, From Ironing Board to Corporate Board; Mia Redrick, Time for mom-Me: 5 Essential Strategies for A Mother's Self-Care; and children's authors Elizabeth Chandler (pseudonym for Mary Claire Helldorfer), Kissed by an Angel and Dark Secrets series; and Jerdine Nolen, Raising Dragons, Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, and Eliza's Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary. To register to attend, or for more information, contact Clarke Fitzmaurice at 410-358-9711, ext. 287, or e-mail [email protected].
Maryland Women's Hall of Fame Ceremony
Tuesday, March 29, 2011, 5:30 pm
President's Conference Room East I and II, Miller Senate Office Building II, Bladen Street, Annapolis
Established by the Maryland Commission for Women and the Women Legislators of Maryland, this annual event honors the 2011 inductees of the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. The Maryland Women's Hall of Fame celebrates Maryland women who have made unique and lasting contributions to the economic, political, cultural and social life of the state, and provides visible models of achievement for tomorrow's female leaders. The Maryland Women's Hall of Fame is housed at the Maryland Women's Heritage Center. For more information, or to register to attend, contact the Maryland Commission for Women at 410-767-3049 or e-mail [email protected].
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 Volunteers and Docents Needed
Docents are needed to staff the Maryland Women's Heritage Center in Baltimore during our operating hours, Wednesday through Saturday from 10 am - 4 pm. We are looking for docents who will be able to staff the Center at least one day per month. Please contact us or Ellie Elgin at 410-767-3045 if you are willing to donate your time!
We are also always looking for volunteers to join our committees, help with our programs and events, and other tasks. Contact us if you would like to help!
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 Explorations and Discoveries: Maryland Women in STEM
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center has assembled a group of volunteers and scientists to work on the next exhibit to be displayed at the Center in Summer 2011.
This exhibit, Explorations and Discoveries: Maryland Women in STEM, is focused on Maryland women involved in science, technology, engineering, and math.
If you have any artifacts, photos, names of resources, or information that you would like to share for this exhibit, please contact Linda Shevitz.
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Welcome New Board Members
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center has welcomed two new members to the board.
Lynne Brick, co-founder and owner of Brick Bodies and Lynne Brick's Health Clubs, one of the largest women-owned businesses in Maryland. She is considered an internationally acclaimed fitness expert and has received many awards and honors.  Rhonda J. Tomlinson, CPA, has over 25 years of experience in corporate accounting operations of government contractors and is currently the president/CEO of RJ Tomlinson & Associates, LLC. She was the first African-American chair of the Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber's (BWCC) board of directors and is the founder and co-chair of the BWCC Women in Business Group.
We are impressed once again with the commitment and diverse expertise among our Board members, and are extremely grateful to have their support of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center!
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 Congratulations to Senator Barbara A. Mikulski
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center congratulates The Honorable Barbara A. Mikulski, Honorary Board Member of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center, on becoming the longest serving female member of the U.S. Senate! We are extremely proud of her and this accomplishment!
Senator Mikulski has served as a U.S. Senator since 1986, when she became the first Democratic woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate in her own right. She was a major sponsor of the legislation to establish March as National Women's History Month. As the most senior female Senator, she is the Dean of Women, serving as a mentor to other women Senators when they first take office.
Click here for more information about Senator Mikulski and our other Honorary Board Members
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MWHC Welcomes Fulbright Teachers
The Distinguished Fulbright Teachers, a program with the University of Maryland, College Park, Center for International Education, visited the Maryland Women's Heritage Center on Monday, November 22, 2010. The teachers were from six countries, including India, South Africa, Argentine, Singapore, Finland and Mexico.
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MWHC in the Community
Various groups have visited and/or held events and programs at the Maryland Women's Heritage Center.
These groups have included teachers from Carroll County, as well as preschool teachers, AAUW Rockville, The Education That Is Multicultural and Achievement Network, the Maryland Multicultural Coalition, and Mishkan Torah Synagogue Sisterhood. We've also had the pleasure to attend and speak at various events.
Some upcoming groups that will be visiting the Center are the Maryland Coalition Opposed to Violence and Extremism, Takoma Park Senior Citizens, and Maryland NOW. Board member Susan Shaffer will also be speaking at a meeting of the Bethesda chapter of Hadassah.
If you are interested in bringing a group to visit the Maryland Women's Heritage Center or would like to have someone from the Maryland Women's Heritage Center speak to your group, please contact us.
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MLAW Agenda
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center strongly supports the Maryland Legislative Agenda for Women (MLAW) and the issues that they have selected to comprise the MLAW Legislative Agenda 2011.
These include:
· Sex Crimes - Definitions
· Family Responsibilities Discrimination
· Human Trafficking Victims Support Act
· Equity in the Juvenile Justice System
· Lorraine Sheehan Health and Community Services Act
· Limiting Employer Use of Credit Reports
· Harriet Tubman in Statuary Hall (*see update below)
· First Degree Assault - Strangulation
· Permanency Hearings for Children
Click here to download a synopsis of these Legislative Initiatives (PDF).
For more information about MLAW, go to www.mdlegagenda4women.org.
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 Harriet Tubman Statuary Hall
Maryland NOW and EVE (Equal Visibility Everywhere) have been coordinating with Del. Susan Lee on the Harriet Tubman Statuary Hall project, working to get passed the enabling legislation required to add a statue of Harriet Tubman in National Statuary Hall in the United States Capitol.
Tubman's would be the first statue of an African-American woman in the Hall, as well as the first enslaved person.
Since each statue in National Statuary Hall is the gift of a state, the Maryland State Legislature must pass a resolution expressing its intention to place a statue of Harriet Tubman in the Hall. Maryland's two existing statues are of Charles Carroll, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, and John Hanson, a Maryland merchant and delegate to the Continental Congress. The Hanson statue would be moved to the Maryland Capitol.
There are 100 statues in the U.S. Capitol Building's Statuary Hall, representing great Americans from all 50 states. Only 9 of the statues are of women. None are of African-Americans, therefore, Maryland has the opportunity to become the first state to honor an African-American in National Statuary Hall!
Maryland NOW is coordinating the grassroots support for this project.
Click here for information on how you can help with this effort!
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Unsung Heroine: Catherine Gietka
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center not only highlights the renowned Maryland women and girls, such as those in the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame, but the Unsung Heroines in each of our lives.
The Center has received many submissions of Unsung Heroines, some of which are also on our Website. We encourage you to tell your stories of your mothers, grandmothers, spouses, partners, daughters, sisters, teachers, nurses, crossing guards, or other girls and women who have played significant roles in your lives, your communities, or your workplaces.*
 One such Unsung Heroine is Catherine Gietka:
Catherine Gietka has been an entrepreneur and leader in Baltimore's Fells Point neighborhood for more than 35 years. Her confectionary store supported the surrounding community and never turned anyone away hungry regardless of their ability to pay.
She has been an active parishioner of Holy Rosary Church where she has been a member of the choir. In an effort to support her church, she has run bus trips for 50 years and has donated all of the proceeds. She has demonstrated her leadership ability while serving as President of the Third Order of St. Francis, the Polish Women's Alliance of America (St. Ann's Group 702), and the Mary's Fund Foundation. She has worked as a judge with the Democratic Club of Maryland.
Ms. Gietka raised 3 children, 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, and authored her autobiography, Mother of $183 Million Winner.**
She is bilingual - speaking both English and Polish. Her extensive travels have been both domestically and in Europe. She had bestowed upon her an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities from St. Thomas Moore College.
The Center has received many submissions of Unsung Heroines, many of which are also on our website.
*Unsung Heroines can be nominated for inclusion at the Maryland Women's Heritage Center (39 West Lexington Street, Baltimore) during operating hours or by using our online form.
**Gietka's autobiography, Mother of $183 Million Winner, is for sale at the Maryland Women's Heritage Center with proceeds benefiting the Center. Click here to purchase. |
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Recent Heritage Happenings
Baltimore Social Media Club: Women in Social Media
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Maryland Women's Heritage Center, Baltimore
The Maryland Women's Heritage Center hosted the Baltimore Social Media Club for a panel discussion with regional social media mavens on women in social media. Women are the majority of users on many popular social media sites, and for women and the companies that engage them, this means opportunity. Many companies looking to engage women - whether as consumers, bloggers, entrepreneurs, or employees - have an unprecedented opportunity to do so through social media. For women, social media presents abundant opportunities to lead, effect change, innovate, and build relationships across sectors, locally, nationally, and globally.
 
  "Women Who Changed the Face of Maryland" Reception
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Maryland Women's Heritage Center, BaltimoreMaryland Life magazine and the Maryland Women's Heritage Center hosted a special complimentary reception to honor 10 women who have changed the face of Maryland, as well as outstanding women business leaders, as featured in the July/August 2010 issue of the magazine. The 10 influential Maryland women who were honored were Carmen Delgado Votaw, Nancy S. Grasmick, Rachel Carson, Jill Moss Greenberg, Rebecca Alban Hoffberger, Claire McCardell, Alta Schrock, Pauli Murray, Harriet Ross Tubman, and Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Thanks to:
Morton's The Steakhouse
Elk Run Vineyards
Caroline's Cakes
Cosmetic Surgery Center of Maryland and Be Lifestyle Medspa
 
 Top 100 MBE Awards Thursday, October 21, 2010 UMUC Marriott Inn and Conference Center, Adelphi The Maryland Women's Heritage Center was a proud supporter of this annual awards program, organized by Sharon Pinder, Maryland Women's Heritage Center Board Member, which honors outstanding women and minority business owners in the mid-Atlantic region (Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia).  
Freedom's Sisters Friday, October 22, 2010 Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland of African American History & Culture, Baltimore The Maryland Women's Heritage Center proudly supported this special exhibition celebrating 20 extraordinary African American women who fought for freedom and changed the course of history, including Maryland's Harriet Tubman and Frances Watkins Harper. The exhibition was on view October 23, 2010 - January 17, 2011, and members of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center attended a private reception for the exhibition on October 22, 2010.    
Maryland Women We Should Know
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Maryland Women's Heritage Center, Baltimore
Part of Free Fall Baltimore, a month-long, citywide occasion offering free performances, events,
workshops, and exhibits, the Maryland Women's Heritage Center hosted a LIving History Series. This specific performance featured Harriet Lynn as Ella Shields.
 
Grand Opening of Girl Scouts of Central Maryland STEM Facility Tuesday, October 26, 2010 Seton Urban Program & Environmental Training Center, Baltimore The Maryland Women's Heritage Center participated in the grand opening of the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland's Seton Urban Program & Environmental Training Center, which features the Girl Scouts very own STEM facility. Approximately 3,600 square feet of space has been devoted to science, technology, engineering and math programming for girls, including a technology center with 16 brand new laptops. The project was generously funded through Capital Funding from the State of Maryland and Northrop Grumman, and this is only the second Girl Scouts Council in the United States to house a STEM Center. The Girl Scouts of Central Maryland is a partner organization of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center.  
 
Maryland AARP Volunteer Conference Luncheon Friday, October 29, 2010 Doubletree Hotel, Annapolis The Maryland Women's Heritage Center attended the annual Maryland AARP Andrus Awards luncheon to celebrate volunteers and their contributions to AARP's work in the state. U.S. Senator Ben Cardin presented the keynote address. The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is proud to be a community partner of AARP Maryland.  
 
Maryland Women We Should Know Saturday, October 30, 2010 Maryland Women's Heritage Center, Baltimore Part of Free Fall Baltimore, a month-long, citywide occasion offering free performances, events, workshops, and exhibits, the Maryland Women's Heritage Center hosted a Living History Series. This specific performance featured Kate Campbell Stevenson as Rachel Carson.  
Anna Ella Carroll Recognition Day & World Premiere Film Screening of The Lost River Saturday, November 20, 2010 Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay, Cambridge The Maryland Women's Heritage Center in partnership with the Friends of Anna Ella Carroll presented the Anna Ella Carroll Recognition Day and world premiere of the film The Lost River, based on the true life story of Anna Ella Carroll. Many activities took place throughout the day prior to the film screening that evening, including a memorial wreath laying on Anna Ella Carroll's grave site and a pre-reception with numerous VIPs, as well as the unveiling of the new, Maryland version of the Signing of the Emancipation Proclamation painting by artist Laura Era. This event was an important step forward in telling herstory by finally bringing recognition to Anna Ella Carroll and making her fascinating story publicly visible.  
 
VOTE! The Life and Work of Sadie Jacobs Crockin Exhibition Opening
Sunday, December 12, 2010 Jewish Museum of Maryland, Baltimore The Maryland Women's Heritage Center is a proud supporter of this special exhibition and participated in the exhibition opening at the Jewish Museum of Maryland. As a woman, an American, and a Jew, Sadie Jacobs Crockin championed many causes. She led the Baltimore chapter of the League of Women Voters helping women with exercising their right to vote, and was the founding president of the Baltimore chapter of Hadassah. Crockin achieved statewide prominence as an advocate for social justice and women's rights.  
 
Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Breakfast & Minority Recognition Awards Program Saturday, January 15, 2011 Martin's Crosswinds, Greenbelt The Maryland Women's Heritage Center was involved in the Maryland State Education Association (MSEA) annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Commemorative Breakfast & Minority Recognition Awards program. This year's event also highlighted the Freedom's Sisters exhibition supported by the Maryland Women's Heritage Center at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum. Special Congratulations to Ginny Gong, Maryland Women's Heritage Center Advisory Board member, who was honored by being presented with the Maryland State Educators Association Minority Recognition Award for Leadership!  
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Maryland Women's Heritage Center Mission
The mission of the Maryland Women's Heritage Center is to preserve the past, understand the present, and shape the future by recognizing, respecting, and transmitting the experiences and contributions of Maryland women of diverse backgrounds and regions.
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Maryland Women's Heritage Center
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We are proud to partner with the following organizations that support the creation of this historic first:
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