Last night's Washington Women of Excellence Awards, hosted by the city's own Mayor Muriel Bowser, put a spotlight on nine standout women leaders. This annual event, part of the broader Women's History Month celebrations, took place in the nation's capital and drew attention to those at the forefront of DC's rejuvenation. "Together, we are honoring nine women who are not only moving big ideas forward but are also empowering and uplifting other women with their work," Mayor Bowser remarked in a statement obtained by dc.gov.
The awards ceremony, which honors leaders across various sectors, saw big names in medicine, law enforcement, business, media, and more. Among the distinguished names is Melanie Adams, appointed as Interim Director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, and Dr. Barbara Lee Bass, who wears dual hats as both Dean of George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences and CEO of The GW Medical Faculty Associates. Nominations poured in from the City Commission for Women, and the Mayor’s Office on Women’s Policy and Initiatives, with final selections made by the mayor herself.
The evening wasn't just about handing out awards, it was also a showcase of female talent in entertainment. Hosting duties were handled by Autumn Joi, with comedic interludes from Angelina Spicer and poetic verses from Lemonade Dream. The all-women band Be’la Dona rounded out the night, proving that the District's talent runs as deep as its pool of leadership. Community engagement was also a centerpiece, recognized through honorees like Tonya Kinlow, VP of Children's National, and Jade Womack, an economist making moves with her initiative, Clockout DC.
Natasha Dupee, the head of the Mayor’s Office of Women’s Policy and Initiatives, lauded the role of these women in a history rich with change-makers. During the ceremony, as quoted from dc.gov, she stated, "Women’s History Month serves as an opportunity for revival such that all DC women may be reminded of opportunities for them to stand for something." Acknowledging the diverse pathways these women took, from arts to small business, to advocacy, their collective effort is shaping the future of Washington, DC.
