On Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis, Maryland, the 30th Annual Fannie Lou Hamer Awards and Reception will be held.
This annual event, the largest and oldest in the State of Maryland, honors women who have made significant contributions to our city, county, and country.
The late Fannie Lou Hamer was a prominent civil rights activist and feminist. Three decades ago, we inaugurated a Fannie Lou Hamer Award. Unlike many people of her era, her contributions are not widely known.We believe that symbolizes what many women experience, being marginalized and ignored.
We decided that each year, around the birthday, we would honor women whose contributions often go unrecognized.Over the past thirty years, we have recognized both women who are household names and those who run their households.
Our honorees have included college presidents and elected officials. They have included, among others, U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, Maryland State Comptroller Brooke Lierman, Senator Shaneka Henson, County Executive Janet S. Owens, and Mayor Ellen O. Moyer.We also have women like Dr. Dawn Lindsay, Dr. Charlestine R. Fairley, Judge Claudia Barber, Krystal Gonzalez, Dee Goodwyn, Jenese Jones-Oden, Rose Tasker, Toni Pratt-Strong, Juanita Cage Lewis, Channel Compton Johnson, Claudia DeGrate, and numerous others.
It is essential to acknowledge the contributions of women and the role they have played in making our nation a better place, rather than a bitter one.Tickets will go on sale this week.
Please get in touch with Arlene Jackson (arankin58@hotmail.com), Chair of the Subcommittee for the Fannie Lou Hamer Planning Committee, for ticket information.In the three decades since this reception was started, we have been able to raise Mrs. Hamer's profile and that of the women whom we have honored.
Please join us on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 4:00 PM to once again honor women with the prestigious and coveted 2025 Fannie Lou Hamer Award.
