ADVANCE: Montgomery Women's Leadership Digest

March 2025

A Message from Leadership

Welcome to March, Montgomery Women!

This is the month of women!

March brings us two important events to recognize and celebrate - National Women's History Month and International Women's Day on March 8th.

Women's History Month began as a week-long recognition in Sonoma County, California in 1978. At the time, there were no curriculums in place that acknowledged the contributions of women throughout American history. Over time, this awareness grew from one week in a Californian school district, to a month-long celebration, not just in the United States, but all over the world. This came through the efforts of many who saw a need to have the achievements of women shared for generations to come. Maryland was one of the first six states to participate in the month-long celebration. We continue to do our part as we celebrate our women, especially those here in Montgomery County.

This month, we have two major celebrations we hope you will support. The Women Making History Award Celebration is in its fourth year. This event is a collaboration with the Montgomery County Commission For Women. This month, we recognize 31 women members of the community nominated for their contributions. Each day in March, Montgomery Women and the Commission for Women will feature each of this year's honorees and her story across the organizations' social media platforms. In April, the women will be recognized in person at a formal reception.

Also in March, the Montgomery Women's Power Tea, will be held March 30th at the Mansion at Strathmore. After a short hiatus due to COVID-19, our signature event is back. The Power Tea has highlighted the achievements of outstanding women leaders since 2005. Our guests will have the chance to network with influential professionals and hear from a dynamic keynote speaker.

I hope you will find the time to join us at one or two of our events. It is always great to meet members of the community, especially those that are very supportive of women and this wonderful organization!

Stay safe,

Ijeoma Enendu

President, Montgomery Women

Member Spotlights

Pamela Luckett

Chair, Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee

Pamela was elected in 2024 to serve as the Chair of the Montgomery County Democratic Central Committee (MCDCC), the local branch of the Democratic Party in Montgomery County. She was first elected to the MCDCC in 2018, representing District 20, and previously served as the committee's Vice Chair from 2022 to 2024.

In addition to her role on the MCDCC, Pamela has served as the Director of Strategic Policy Initiatives in the office of County Councilmember Gabe Albornoz since 2019 and has held previous roles in the offices of County Councilmember Evan Glass and Councilmember Will Jawando.

Jane Lyons-Raeder

Housing Programs Manager, City of Rockville

Jane works at the intersection of planning, organizing, and policy, with a focus on land use, affordable housing, and public transit. She is currently a Housing Programs Manager for the City of Rockville, overseeing inclusionary zoning, Community Development Block Grants, and emergency financial assistance programs.

Previously, Jane was the Principal Planner for the City of Rockville and has past experience with the EPA's Smart Growth Program, the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Montgomery County Council, and Governor Wes Moore’s transition team.

Leadership Nuggets

Must Read

The Beijing Platform for Action, adopted in 1995 at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, marked a pivotal moment in the global effort to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, the Platform remains a cornerstone for advocating for women’s rights across the world. It established critical action areas and called for systemic changes at both national and global levels. Despite significant progress since its adoption, many of the issues outlined in the Platform continue to affect women today. Read this latest article from UN Women on the role we all have in unlocking equal rights, power and opportunities.

Recommended Listening

In celebration of Women's History Month, the "HerStory: Women Who Lead" podcast delves into the rich tapestry of women's history every Tuesday this month. Listen here.

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Key Updates

Celebrating women's leadership and empowerment

Montgomery Women’s Annual Power Tea, which has highlighted the achievements of outstanding women leaders since 2005, will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025 from 3:00 to 5:00 PM at the Mansion at Strathmore in North Bethesda.

This event is open without charge to Montgomery Women members. Tickets for non-members will be available on Monday, March 10 at the purchase price of $75.00. To learn more about the event, registration, or sponsorship opportunities, visit the Power Tea webpage.

Engaging with the Montgomery Women community

This month we are pleased to welcome Laura Colgate, Susan Cottle Madden, Patricia Ndimantang, Sarah Pomerantz, Sandra Prudenti, and Katie Smith to our vibrant and dynamic community!

If you haven't already, we’re encouraging all new and returning members to complete their member profiles in our directory. The member directory is an incredible resource for networking, collaboration, and professional growth. By completing your profile, fellow members can connect with you based on shared interests and expertise. If you have questions, please email communications@montgomerywomen.org.