Women's History Celebration, 2015

The Fourth Annual Allegany County Women's History Month Celebration was held on March 24, 2015. The event theme, “STEM and Beyond: Exploring the Possibilities", celebrated accomplished women of the past as they encourage today’s young women toward careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Sponsored by several departments and groups at Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) and the Maryland National Organization for Women (NOW), attendees had the opportunity to tour the building’s classrooms and laboratories and to view exhibits and displays relating to STEM.

Linda Mahoney, past president of the Maryland NOW, Dr. Cynthia Bambara, ACM president; and Cherie Snyder, ACM professor and Human Service Associate Program Director, provided introductions and a welcome to the college. Christina Badger, microbiologist and ACM visiting instructor, focused on the main topic with her presentation, “Empowering Future STEM Leaders.” Entertainer Kate Campbell Stevenson portrayed marine biologist and environmentalist Rachel Carson and explorer Louise Arner Boyd, who financed, planned and led seven Arctic expeditions. Cassie Doty, Elaine Raesly and Sandi Rowland were recognized for their leadership efforts in STEM. Elected officials, including Jessica Fitzwater of Frederick County and Dawne Lindsey of Allegany County, as well as a local student Darrah Speis gave presentations on public service and science/robotics. Proclamations from the offices of United States Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin were also read. Well over 100 people, mostly high school and college-age women, as well as younger people, were in attendance.

The names and titles of all the presenters and participants are identified within the photo caption.

Photograph on top. Front Row, left to right: Cherie Snyder, Director of Human Services Program, Allegany College of Maryland; Dr. Cynthia S. Bambara, President, Allegany College of Maryland; Linda Mahoney, Past President, Maryland National Organization for Women; Elaine Raesly, Director of Environmental Education, Evergreen Heritage Center; and Sandi Rowland, Executive Director, Allegany Health Right.

Back Row, left to right: Darrah Speis, Allegany College of Maryland student and after-school Robotics leader; Christina Badger, Allegany College of Maryland Biology Instructor; Dawne Lindsey, Clerk of the Allegany County Circuit Court; Cassie Doty, Education Coordinator, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Appalachian Laboratory; Kate Campbell Stevenson, Historical Actor; Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick County Council; Julianna Albowicz, Western Maryland Field Representative, Office of U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski; and Janice Keene, President, The Evergreen Heritage Center.

Photograph below: Julianna Albowicz from Senator Mikulski's office and a panel discussion among Frederick County Council member Jessica Fitzwater, Dawne Lindsey, Clerk of the Allegany County Circuit Court and Allegany County student Darrah Speis.