By Kendra Bryant
Special to the AFRO
Maryland First Lady Dawn Moore and the Foundation for the Preservation of Government House of Maryland hosted the third annual “A Woman’s Work” Women’s Economic Empowerment Brunch on April 18 at the Government House.
Centered on the theme of women reshaping power, culture and capital, attendees were encouraged to wear what makes them feel most powerful.
“The room is filled with architects of change,” said Moore. “While we’ve all traveled on different journeys to get to where we are today, we can stand firm on the powerful truth that when we stand united as women, there’s nothing we can’t achieve.”
This year’s honorees included Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET) and CEO of Salamander Collection; Brenda Brown Rever, founder of the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women (BLYSW); Catie Griggs, president of business operations for the Baltimore Orioles; and photographic artist Tawny Chatmon.
At Moore’s special request, Johnson attended the brunch just two days after the funeral of her late husband.
Maryland’s 63rd Gov. Wes Moore and his family is the first Black family to live in the Government House. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Foundation leaders, Sharon Page (left), founder of Black Girl Village, and Linda Wilson, executive director of Fund 2 Foundation, attend the brunch. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Maia Estes (left), senior vice president of Invariant, accompanies Jada McCray, COO of BTST Services and Shelonda Stokes, president of Downtown Partnerships of Baltimore to attend the economic focused brunch (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Sharon Vanzie (far left), contract administrator of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, and Angel Webb Reese, mother of WNBA star Angel Reese, head to the Government House. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Fox DC anchor Marissa Mitchell (far left) hosts panel discussion with Michele Jawando, CEO of Omidyar Network; Tamla Olivier, president and CEO of Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE); Kimberly Robinson, vice president and head of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield’s State Government Affairs division; Katie Santarelli, president of Wye River; and Lillian Sparks Robinson, CEO of Wopila Consulting. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
“A Woman’s Work” is sponsored by CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, The Foundation for the Preservation of Government House, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) and Edmond’s Honor. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
First Lady Dawn Moore looks forward to the celebration of women empowerment annually through this event. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Attendees of “A Woman’s Work” enjoy complimentary sparklers, brunch and desserts while connecting. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
The mother of NBA All-Star Kevin Durant, Wanda Durant, also known as “The Real MVP,” is involved in several organizations, including The Kevin Durant Charity Foundation (KDCF) and The Durant Center. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
President of the Foundation for the Preservation of Government House of Maryland Terri Smith commends the leadership of First Lady Dawn Moore. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Sheila Johnson (far left), CEO of Salamander Hotels, attends “A Woman’s Work” per First Lady Dawn Moore’s (right) special request (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Brenda Brewer Rever has had a passion for helping others since she was in the second grade. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Artist Tawny Chatmon takes inspiration from the Black experience in her photographic art. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
The mother of Gov. Wes Moore, Joy Moore supports the first lady’s “A Woman’s Work” brunch. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
DJ Keebee plays classics such as Whitney Houston’s “I’m Every Woman” and “Got to be Real” by Cheryl Lynn. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Attendees leave the event with customized flower arrangements. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Alexis Northfleet is powerful in her yellow suit. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant) 
Sponsor CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield provides guests with take home self-care bags. (AFRO Photos / Kendra Bryant)
“All of the struggles that you go through are blessings,” said Johnson. “My mother always told me,‘Girl, you gotta get your power back’. That’s when I created the Salamander Collection.”
The Salamander Collection, a luxury hotel brand that has received Forbes triple five-star ratings and a Michelin Star, takes its name from the salamander, an animal known for its ability to survive in fire.
“That is what my brand means,” said Johnson. “It stands for perseverance, courage and fortitude.”
Brenda Brown Rever also made a significant career pivot later in life, founding the Baltimore Leadership School for Young Women in her late 60s.
“I’ve learned a few things over the years. Never give up, sometimes give in,” said Rever. “Continue doing what you love at every age and always help others. It makes a difference for them and a big difference for you.”
Rever also established CHANA, one of the only Baltimore-based organizations that advocates against domestic violence within the Jewish community.
“Dating back from second grade, I’ve always had a genuine love for connecting with people,” said Rever. “I was drawn to the community to identify needs and to bring people together to address them.”
The program transitioned into a panel discussion moderated by Fox DC anchor Marissa Mitchell. Panelists included Michele Jawando, CEO of Omidyar Network; Katie Santarelli, president of Wye River; Lillian Sparks Robinson, CEO of Wopila Consulting; Kimberly Robinson, vice president of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield State Government Affairs division; and Tamla Olivier, president and CEO of Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE).
Panelists shared experiences of navigating male-dominated fields such as engineering, finance and insurance.
“There would be moments where I’d make comments in the room and they would land in silence,” said Olivier. “Then self-doubt creeps in. ‘Did I say it too softly? Did I not choose the right word for me to say it?’ It took me a while to realize that my silence enabled that behavior. It’s not a me thing, it’s a them thing.”
Self-confidence was a recurring point many of the women made.
“You have to understand that your greatest competition is not the other people in the room,” said Robinson. “But it’s really yourself. You have to believe that you were born for this particular moment. It’s not by happenstance … it was designed and destined for you. Moving from visibility to value is believing in yourself, making sure that you show up.”
In recognition of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, panelists also discussed the changes they hope to see in the future.
“The Constitution does not have the word ‘woman’ in it,” said Jawando. “For the next 250, there has to be intentionality in writing ourselves into the future. We were not expected to do what we’re doing but we’re here.”
“Change comes from how we show up for the generation that comes after us,” said Robinson. “It’s how we raise our voices, how we advocate and how we hold our worth in all of the ways we show up.”
Guests concluded the event with self-care gift bags provided by CareFirst and the opportunity to create customized flower bouquets.
“Each year the event grows, it deepens, and it brings more women in a space where there’s opportunity, connection and real support,” said Terri Roberts, president of the Foundation for the Preservation of Government House of Maryland. “None of this happens without leadership, and that starts with First Lady Dawn Moore.”