ADVANCE: Montgomery Women's Leadership Digest

October 2024

A Message from Leadership

Leadership, Legacy, and the Future of Women’s Empowerment:

As we approach International Day of the Girl on Friday, October 11, I’m reminded of the incredible strides women have made and the work that still lies ahead. My career has been dedicated to supporting and empowering girls to find their voices and embrace leadership. From my early days working with the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital —where I had the privilege of launching the Including All Girls initiative — to my current role leading Community Bridges, I have seen firsthand the transformative power of investing in young women.

At Community Bridges, we work tirelessly to provide opportunities for girls, particularly those from under-resourced communities, to unlock their potential and pursue their dreams. Starting as early as elementary school and continuing through college, we guide these young women in navigating the complexities of life, school, and career. With a focus on leadership development, we ensure they have the tools and confidence to step into roles where they can make a difference — not just for themselves, but for their communities.

Leadership for me has always been about service and inclusivity. Whether through advocating for equity, supporting educational access, or creating safe spaces where girls can thrive, my goal has been to build a future where all girls feel seen and empowered. It’s been inspiring to watch the next generation of leaders emerge, driven by passion, resilience, and a desire to change the world.

As Rosa Parks once said, "Each person must live their life as a model for others." This October, I challenge us all to think about the legacy we are leaving for the women who will come after us. How are we lifting as we climb? How are we ensuring that every girl, no matter her background, has the chance to lead?

We know that when women lead, communities thrive. And when we invest in girls, we are investing in a better, more equitable future for everyone. I encourage you to get involved — whether by mentoring a young woman, supporting organizations like Community Bridges, or simply amplifying the voices of women and girls in your community. Together, we can create a lasting impact and empower the next generation of leaders.

With kind regards,

Shannon Babe-Thomas

Recording Secretary, Montgomery Women Board

Member Spotlights

Ijeoma Enendu

District Community Operations Supervisor, MCPD

Ijeoma describes herself as a dedicated public servant whose interests in serving the community began as a high school student.

She is currently employed with the Montgomery County Police Department, where she is the District Community Operations Supervisor for the Wheaton District. In addition to her role as the District Community Operations Supervisor, she is also an adjunct instructor at the Police Services Training Academy.

When she is not working, she continues to serve her community through various service projects and organizations including as the Program Chair of the Montgomery County Commission for Women, the Vice President of the John F. Kennedy High School PTSA, a Board Member of the Montgomery County Girls on the Run Council, a Board Member of the University of Maryland Alumni Association (Montgomery County Chapter), a co-Troop Leader for Girl Scout Troop #5401, and the proud President of Montgomery Women.

Ijeoma earned both her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from the University of Maryland. She is originally from Iowa City, Iowa, and though she considers herself a Hawkeye for life, she embraces the Terrapin within her. For fun, she enjoys completing the Bay Bridge Run every year with her daughter.

Miriam Paska

President & Digital Strategist,

Village Green Consulting

Miriam is a website designer and developer who supports business owners and association leaders in their desire to move their company’s online presence to the next level. She founded Village Green Consulting in 2014, a website design and development firm providing direct services to businesses of all sizes and types.

Miriam seamlessly translates the ‘languages’ of design, business, and technology to develop intuitive websites for her clients. She takes time to understand their business and target audience, makes well-researched recommendations and delivers products that are not only well designed and wonderfully functional, but will also grow with their business. She is a master of both design and development and has a gift for making complicated processes sound simple. While her clients’ businesses are completely different, the people drawn to her share some pretty amazing traits. They are driven and creative – not necessarily in the artsy way, but of powerful minds that take change head-on, adapting their business and flourishing. She takes it to heart that they trust her with their online presence – something so essential to success.

Miriam is a native of Wisconsin, grew her career over a decade in New York, and now resides in Maryland with her husband, twin daughters, and twin cats.

Leadership Nuggets

Must Reads

In the tenth year of their Women in the Workplace research, McKinsey & Company and LeanIn.Org, reflect on the notable gains women have made — and how their experiences at work are, in many ways, the same or worse than ten years ago. Access and read the full report here.

Recommended Listening

In the latest episode of HBR IdeaCast, Columbia Business School professor Michael Morris breaks down the phenomenon of tribalism and explains how organizational leaders can leverage tribal instincts in positive ways to strengthen workplace culture. Listen here.

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Key Updates

Join our members-only LinkedIn Group

Montgomery Women offers a LinkedIn group to help foster connections among the members of our organization. By joining, you'll have the chance to grow your network, stay up-to-date with events and resources, and collaborate on ideas. If you haven't already joined, we look forward to welcoming you into this space.

Mark your calendars for our New Member Connect

This month we are pleased to welcome Kristina Wesselink to our vibrant and dynamic community!

To all members who have joined Montgomery Women in 2024, please save the date for our upcoming New Member Connect event on October 24th. Keep an eye on your inbox for formal invitations and more information.