On May 15th, I had the honor of attending the Women of Influence awards ceremony hosted by I95Business at Towson University. This event is unique as it celebrates women leaders who are not only excelling in their fields but also make an impact both in their communities and beyond.
As I sat among an inspiring group of women, each with their own incredible stories and contributions, I couldn’t help but feel humbled and grateful to share space with them. Vicki Franz, Founder and Publisher of I95 BUSINESS, set the celebratory and uplifiting tone for the evening during her welcome. There was a deep sense of unity, as women from various industries and backgrounds came together to celebrate one another’s achievements.
Among the many honorees, I was moved by the messages and stories shared by the two keynote speakers Betty Hines and Dr. Nancy Grasmick.
Betty Hines, CEO of WEW (Women Elevate Women), has dedicated her career to helping other women grow their businesses. She shared examples of how she has mentored countless women to success, but it was her genuine and selfless commitment to empowering others that inspired me. It was an honor to hear her speak about the "five pillars" and the work she does to create opportunities for women in business.
Another highlight for me was hearing Dr. Nancy Grasmick share her insights and stories, particularly her dedication to improving the quality of education for Maryland schools. Demonstrating remarkable care and accessible leadership, she personally drove to every public school in the state of Maryland (1,400 schools!) to personally meet the staff and students. It makes sense why she was the state's longest-serving superintendent, spanning over two decades.
Both of these women modeled what true transformative leadership looks like.
The event also left me with a sense of gratitude, thankful for the opportunity to connect with so many incredible leaders who gathered in that room. We weren’t just celebrating individual achievements; we were celebrating a shared commitment to lifting one another up, and the recognition that we are stronger together.
The connections I made that night will undoubtedly inspire future collaborations and projects that will continue to make a difference. Stay tuned.
As we celebrated the past achievements, I couldn't help but think about the future. Surrounded by my family—my mom and daughters—multiple generations present, I had the realization of the ongoing legacy we are all part of.
I'm reminded that we are all influenced by those who came before us, and we, too, have a role to play in helping and guiding those who will come after us.
My mom has always been a source of wisdom and strength, and seeing her there, alongside my daughters, made me realize we’re not just building our own futures, but contributing to a collective legacy that will continue to support and empower others for years to come.
It’s a humbling thought, and one that inspires me to keep pushing forward, knowing that our actions today continue to echo through time, influencing the paths of others on the journey.
Toby and I ended up winning the Fancy Footwear contest that night! It was a fun and unexpected highlight, reminding us that sometimes it’s important to have fun, and not take ourselves so seriously.