GCCW Seeking Nominations for 2024 Women’s Hall of Fame
Nomination deadline March 1, 2024!
Nomination packets are available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19jlhK5UIh9m4cObU_H_e_vml9_jkrGS2/edit
The Garrett County Commission for Women is seeking your recommendation of an outstanding Garrett County woman for induction into the Garrett County Women’s Hall of Fame. Nominees should be women who have made outstanding contributions to Garrett County and are role models for tomorrow’s female leaders.
The Garrett County Women’s Hall of Fame was established in 1995 through the efforts of the Garrett County Commission for Women. Its purpose is to honor local women who have made substantial or outstanding contributions to the economic, political, and cultural life of Garrett County.
Up to three women are inducted each year. Both historical and contemporary women are eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. These women represent the past, present and future vision of Garrett County.
GCCW invites organizations and individuals to nominate women for the Hall of Fame. Under the guidance of the GCCW, a selection committee will review the nominations and make recommendations to the Commission. After final review and approval, the GCCW will announce the inductees who will be recognized for their contributions during a brunch and ceremony in their honor, date and location to be determined.
Specific criteria include: 1) The contribution must extend to the community level; 2) The contribution may be in a particular discipline or to Garrett County in general; and 3) Nominees must be Garrett County residents and must have resided in the county for at least 10 years, or if deceased, nominees must have resided in the county for a substantial portion of their lives.
Nomination packets can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19jlhK5UIh9m4cObU_H_e_vml9_jkrGS2/edit
Submissions must be postmarked by March 1, 2024.
Additional information is also available on the Facebook page of the Garrett County Commission for Women. Questions may also be directed to the Garrett County Commission for Women, c/o Garrett County Commissioners, 203 S Fourth St. Room 207, Oakland, MD 21550.
2022 Garrett County Women’s Hall of Fame Induction
The Garrett County Women’s Hall of Fame was established through the efforts of the Garrett County Commission for Women and inducted the first members back in 1995. Its purpose is to honor local women who have made substantial or outstanding contributions to the economic, political, and cultural life of Garrett County.
Up to three women will be inducted each year. Both historical and contemporary women are eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame. These women represent the past, present and future vision of Garrett County.
We recognized and honored two Garrett County Women who have participated in shaping of the County. Congratulations to the 2022 inductees!
Ms. Betty Pritt
Betty has served Garrett County since soon after relocating here in 1965. While raising young children, Betty began volunteering at what is now the Garrett Regional medical Center, continuing to current service in the Loar Auxiliary, including a time as President. Recognized for 50 years of service in 2021, Betty was described as “a blessing to this hospital and to our community in general …[who] lives our mission in the work she does here.”
Returning to school at the age of 38, Betty earned her BA in Education and worked in Preston County, WV schools and as an occasional substitute in Garrett County. In 1983, she began her now 39-year career as a consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics. She shared her entrepreneurial spirit and skills with other women she mentored as an Independent Sales Director for many years.
Betty has been a force to promote the values and contributions of democratic politics in Garrett County, involved in social activities, community service projects and promoting Democratic candidates. She has been a member and many-year President of the GC Democratic Club and was the inaugural recipient in 2018 of the Club’s Doris Goldsborough Award, honoring a Democrat who has made a difference in Garrett County while representing Democratic principles.
Betty was a candidate in 2006 for County Commissioner. She currently serves as the Chair of the Garrett County Democratic Central Committee and as an Election Judge.
As a member of the AAUW-Garrett Branch, Betty has portrayed Eleanor Roosevelt and local Physician Dr. Lorilla Towers in the Women’s Monologues. She is a longtime member of the Woodmen Life, Chapter 11 (currently President), as well as a member of Youghiogheny Glades Chapter, NSDAR.
At St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, she has served as Lay Leader since 2014, acting as an advocate and representative of the laity and as a bridge between the congregation and community. Her recurring election to this position demonstrates that her fellow congregants view her as a person of faith and integrity. As a Lay Servant, she leads Bible studies and classes, assists in worship services and presents sermons, not only at her church, but to others in the area.
Writes one supported, “’Service is the word that characterizes Betty. She is willing to help wherever she is needed in the church or community, and she always serves with kindness and a smile. Betty’s community service, generous character, and servant’s heart make her an ideal candidate for the Garrett County Women’s Hall of Fame.” In total agreement, the Garrett County Commission for Women is proud to include Betty M. Pritt in this year’s Hall of Fame inductees.
Ms. Heather Hanline
Heather serves as the Executive Director of the Dove Center, Garrett County’s Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence center. For 24 years, Heather has led the organization as it provides safety, education, advocacy, counseling and shelter to over 600 persons annually, whose lives are impacted by domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
As a nominator explained, “Heather has been the primary force behind the development of the agency, the programs it offers, the role it plays in the Garrett County community, its stellar reputation across the State of Maryland, and the success it has in facilitating better lives for its clients.”
Her innovation and creativity are exemplified with projects that resulted in the expanded shelter facility, the indoor pet kennel and four transitional housing units, all constructed on-site. School, campus and community programs have led to increased access to information and services.
Heather’s creation of JEWELS, a counseling group for women experiencing co-occurring trauma and addiction recognizes the prevalence of co-occurring conditions and the need for specialized treatment. Her recent community initiative, called Healing Garrett, strives to encourage and implement trauma-informed care in the community by promoting education and awareness of adverse childhood experiences (ACES). Based on research that shows traumatic life experiences as a child correlate to problems later in life, the goal is to lower ACES scores earlier in life and to have conversations around “What happened to you?” instead of “What’s wrong with you?”
Heather received the 2020 National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s Visionary Voice Award, which recognized the creativity and hard work of individuals demonstrating outstanding work to end sexual violence. Last year, the Dove Center was the recipient of a Theresa’s Fund 2021 Purple Ribbon Award in the category of Program/Shelter of the Year. The judging by a national panel of professionals from the domestic violence field recognized the Dove Center for its innovative and resilient expansion of programs. The Daily Record recently named Heather to its 2022 listing of Maryland’s Top 100 Women.
Heather is called to do the work she so passionately does “As an adult who witnessed domestic violence as a child, I became passionate early on about being a part of ending sexual and domestic violence, oppression and all related topics. As Christiane Northrup stated, ‘every woman who heals herself helps heal all of those who came before her, and all those who will come after her.’ I believe wholeheartedly in the powerful role that victim service agencies play in communities.”
For her passion, advocacy and innovation, the Garrett County Commission is proud to induct Heather L. Hanline into the Women’s Hall of Fame.
Previous Hall of Fame Inductees:
| 2021 | Linda Edwards Judy Carbone Susan Newton |
| 2020 | Ruth Keller* Jane Fox Cindy Downton |
| 2019 | Shirley Diane Bailey Carissa Rodeheaver |
| 2018 | Caroline Blizzard Dr. Dana McCauley Melissa Rank |
| 2017 | Carol A. Gregg Dr. Brenda McCartney Ruth Hinebaugh Umbel |
| 2016 | Evelyn L. Heise* Louella Hinebaugh Mercedes Pellet |
| 2015 | Brenda F. McDonnell Karen Myers Hannah W. Sincell |
| 2014 | Brenda S. Brosnihan Nancy K. Leary* |
| 2013 | Donna Broadwater Jeanette Ruby Fitzwater Pat White-Moore |
| 2012 | Linda Fike Grace Jones* Marilyn Moors* |
| 2011 | Betty Ellington Carolyn Ganoe |
| 2010 | Debra Friend Helen Harman* Gail N. Herman |
| 2009 | Virginia Grove Henrietta Lease Linda M. Buckel |
| 2008 | Helen Earles Charlotte A. Sebold Donna McClintock Fost |
| 2007 | Patience Williams Grant* Helen Louise Harned Kahl* Sheryl MacLane |
| 2006 | Peggy Jamison Mary E. Mosser* Lorilla B. Tower* |
| 2005 | Susan Athey-Oxford* Cleda Baker* Linda Fleming Glotfelty |
| 2004 | Bea Crosco* Mildred Dunbar Mary Jones* |
| 2003 | Joan B. Crawford* Barbara B. Flinn Mary Ellen Lichty |
| 2002 | Beverly Beard Patricia A. Bowser Mary M. Strauss* |
| 2001 | Dorothy B. Leighton* Phyllis Trickett |
| 2000 | Alice Hevner Nelle Stemple* |
| 1999 | Roberta Anderson Ruth DiPaolo* Mary Love* |
| 1998 | Jane Avery* Martha Glotfelty* |
| 1997 | Edith Brock* Brenda Butscher |
| 1996 | Martha Jachowski* Alta E. Schrock* |
| 1995 | Polly J. Hanst* Wilda W. Massi* Ruth H. Ryan* |
* Deceased