Montgomery County Commission for Women to Host 45th Annual Women’s Legislative Briefing

The Montgomery County Commission for Women will host its 45th Annual Women’s Legislative Briefing (WLB), at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, at The Universities at Shady Grove (USG). USG is located at 9630 Gudelsky Drive in Rockville.

This year’s theme, EMPOW(HER): Breaking Barriers to Success, calls for collective efforts to foster environments where women and girls can achieve success without facing limitations based on gender. It highlights empowering women by overcoming obstacles that limit their growth, promoting gender equality and creating opportunities for success.

This year’s keynote panel, “Breaking Barriers: Women Who Inspire and Innovate,” will celebrate trailblazing women who have shattered barriers, led transformative change and inspired others through innovation, leadership and advocacy. The discussion will explore their unique journeys, the challenges they have overcome and their far-reaching impact across various fields.

Keynote Panelists:

• The Honorable Brooke Lierman – As the first woman to independently hold one of Maryland’s constitutional offices, Brooke Lierman made history when she was elected as the 34th Comptroller of Maryland in 2022 with over 60 percent of the vote. Previously, she served eight years in the Maryland House of Delegates and built a distinguished career as a civil rights and disability rights attorney.
• Karyn N. Onyeneho – Founder of Color of Genes, Karyn Onyeneho is a trailblazer in health equity and digital health. Her website offers a genetic health directory of providers who can provide culturally competent genetic health services for Black and Indigenous people of color. She is also a senior advisor for Genomic Data Sharing at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• Margarita Womack – Founder of Latin Goodness Foods, Margarita Womack is a celebrated entrepreneur who empowers underserved women through her innovative business. In 2022, she was named Small Business Leader of the Year by Washington Business Journal's CEOs of the Year Awards. She also received the prestigious EY Entrepreneur of The Year™ for the Mid-Atlantic region, and Latin Goodness Foods was recognized as one of the Most Disruptive MBA Startups by Poets & Quants in 2019.

Jordan Lindsay, an Emmy Award nominee and spokesperson for the Montgomery County Council, will moderate the panel. A Morgan State University graduate and former anchor/reporter for DC News Now, she brings a wealth of experience in journalism and community engagement.

The WLB also will feature remarks from:

• Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller
• Senator Chris Van Hollen
• Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich
• Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart
• Ayza Siddiqui, Emerging Leader, Junior, at Clarksburg High School

The WLB is open to the public. To register, visit https://wlb2025.eventbrite.com. Free child care for children ages 2–10 will be available. Space is limited to 20 children, and reservations can be made after purchasing tickets. Participants are encouraged to sign up early to secure their spot.

For more information, call the Commission for Women at 240-777-8300, by email to cfwinfo@montgomerycountymd.gov or visit their website.