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Maryland Commission for Women


Maryland Commission for Women

The Commission

2025 Maryland Commission for Women

Pictured from Left to Right: Monica Watkins, Sharon Blugis, Shanna Pearson-Merkowitz, Second Vice Chair Christine Lee, Chair LaShaune Stitt, Tazeen Ahmad, Judy Carbone, Jodi Kelber, and Pier Blake
Not pictured are: First Vice Chair Patricia McHugh Lambert, Jonathon Carrington, Gloria Dent, Judith Kain Emmel, Tekisha Everette, Maggi Gaines, Linda Hahn, Sarah Ackerstein Klein, Lauren Lambert, Brenda McChriston, Stacey Rebbert, Nykidra Robinson, Evelyne Stewart, and Lenita Walker.

2023 – 2024 Maryland Commission for Women

Pictured from Left to Right: Lauren Lambert, Sarah A. Klein, Patricia M. Lambert, Lenita Walker, Chair Tawanda A. Bailey, Jonathon Carrington, 2nd Vice Chair Beth Anne Dorman, Christine Lee, Linda Han, Pier Blake, Essita Duncan, Judi Emmel
Not pictured are: Andrea Bottner, Deborah Cartee, Gloria Dent, Kathryn M. Fiddler, Maggi Gaines, Eugenia Henry, Brenda McChriston, Jenny Pena-Dias, First Vice Chair Maxine Griffin Somerville, Evelyne Steward, Monica Watkins and Tamara E. Wilson

Ariana Kelly, New Executive Director

We are excited to announce the selection of Ariana Kelly as the new Executive Director of the Maryland Commission for Women (MCW).

Ariana brings a wealth of experience and dedication to her new position. While serving for 14 years as a current state senator representing Montgomery County and former representative in the Maryland General Assembly, she has championed legislation aimed at advancing women’s rights, improving healthcare access, protecting victims of domestic violence, and enhancing family economic security for all Marylanders. Her commitment to public service and her advocacy for women’s issues makes her an asset to the Commission, our department, and our state.

From her leadership roles as National Campaign Director of MomsRising and Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Maryland, to her service on the White House Gender Policy Council State Leaders on Reproductive Healthcare Group and her partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor to establish Maryland’s Paid Family & Medical Leave Task Force, Ariana is committed to modernizing the Maryland Commission for Women.

Please join us in welcoming Ariana to our community and offering her our full support as she embarks on this important journey to advance the rights and well-being of women and girls across Maryland beginning in May 2024.

 

Mission

The Maryland Commission for Women works with Maryland State Government to advance solutions and to expand social, political and economic opportunities for all women.

Vision

All Maryland women have full social, political and economic equality.

Legislative Mandate

Maryland Code Article Human Services §2-401 – §408

    • Study the status of women in our state
    • Direct attention to critical problems confronting women
    • Recommend methods of overcoming discrimination
    • Recognize women’s accomplishments and contributions
    • Provide informed advice to the executive and legislative branches of government on the issues concerning the women of our state

Bylaws