Board Member Gertrude Makell Receives Michelle Obama Award
On Wednesday, March 30, County Executive Steuart Pittman, in partnership with the Caucus of African American Leaders, honored our Board Member, Gertrude Makell, with 13 additional women who have had tremendous impact in Anne Arundel County. This special honor is named after former First Lady Michelle Obama, who serves as a role model for women and advocates for poverty awareness, education, nutrition, health and wellness. This year the theme of the awards is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Our Stories.”
The ceremony was streamed and can be found on the County Executive’s Facebook, and Arundel TV’s YouTube channel.
Gertrude E. Makell retired from Prince George’s County Government after 32 years of service as Office Manager in the Office of the County Executive. She has served as a Mentor for tenth-grade students at Southern High School in Harwood, Maryland. Ms. Makell has worked with Anne Arundel County Public Schools, St. Anne’s Private School, and Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency. A graduate of Leadership Anne Arundel Neighborhood Leadership Program, she received the 2007 Community Trustee Award from Leadership Anne Arundel and the Capital-Gazette Newspapers for helping to create a more vibrant community in 2006. Ms. Makell was also awarded the 2010 Heritage Leadership Award from the Four Rivers Heritage Area. She has served on the Board of Directors for Galesville Heritage Society, South County Faith Network, as a former Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Chairman’s Advisory Committee member. She serves on the Board of Directors for Chesapeake Crossroad Heritage Area and is the Administrator for Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church.
As President of Galesville Community Center Organization, Inc., she has been the visionary leader and driving force behind the restoration of the Galesville Rosenwald School. With her energy, commitment, and creativity, the Galesville Rosenwald School has been restored and converted into a vibrant space that serves as a permanent home for the activities of the Galesville Community Center Organization. Her tenacity and vision for a new purpose for the old school and raising more than $500,000 from community, county, and state funding sources made the renovation possible. Ms. Makell continues to spearhead efforts to fully utilize the Galesville Community Center to provide educational projects and services to the youth and senior citizens in the community.
Congratulations to Ms. Makell, and all the honorees!