By Dr. Deborah Bailey
AFRO Contributing Editor
Prince George’s County Council chair Krystal Oriadha (District 7) joined council members Wala Blegay (At-Large), Wanika Fisher (District 2), Shayla Adams-Stafford (District 5), and Danielle Hunter (District 6), to bring Women’s History Month to a glamorous close in a ceremony honoring 25 women across the county.
Honorees represented ladies from all walks of life, who have excelled in leadership, service and inspiration.
The March 28 event took place at New Carrollton’s women-owned Metro Points Hotel. Scores of women dressed in silk, satin and sequined floor length gowns arrived for the ceremony, which honored women in business, government, the non-profit arena, and community-based advocates working to improve their neighborhoods, schools and families.
“Tody is about celebrating you. This is a day for everyone to see you as we see you,” said Oriadha.
Councilwoman Fisher said it was a crucial time for Prince Georege’s County to honor women. She represents District 2, which includes the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. The area has been hit hard by recent federal layoffs, a full shutdown last year and now, a partial shutdown.
“We would not be Prince George’s County without you,” she said. “We are in a tumultuous time, being attacked every day.”
County Executive Aisha Braveboy served as the guest speaker for the evening and spoke to the women about the strength needed to walk and move forward in roles “assigned” from God regardless of whether others understand.
“There will always be those in life who will not understand your decisions when you are walking in your purpose,” Braveboy said.
Blegay marveled at how large the event has grown in a short period of time.
“We started this in 2023 in a room in Prince George’s Community College and now we fill a ballroom,” said Blegay. “We’ve got women in this room who have never been recognized, but we show up and do what we have to do,” she said.
Katrina Dixon Patterson was honored in 2025 and said she returned this year to support this year’s honorees.
“I am so happy to see that this event has grown from two council members to five council members standing together to honor the county’s women. Last year there were 15 women from only District 5 and District 6 and now it has grown to almost twice that number. This year is a showstopper,” said Dixon-Patterson.
Each honoree received public recognition, a certificate in her honor and a short video clip of her accomplishments announced to the audience. The honorees were: Latonya Chew; Patrice Murphy; Brianna Meadow; Mel Johnson; Shanita Brown; Brittany Brooks; Dana Smith; Shaune Hayes; Belinda Queen; Chinonso Nwoah; Jocelyn Route; New Carrollton Mayor Phelycia Nembhard; Renee Alston; Patricia Martinez; Josephine Mourning; Ifeoma Onyia; Asma Hijazi; Debra Cater; Nancy Boyd; Roxy Nbedbumada; Reeda Butler; Petrella Robinson; Carla Bownes; and Edena Aaron.
A special Trailblazer Award was given to Joseline Pena-Melnyk, Maryland General Assembly Speaker of the House who could not attend due to a prior engagement.