Montgomery County Council honors NCNW’s 90th anniversary and recognizes Delegate Pamela Queen

The Montgomery County Council used its July 14 session to present two ceremonial proclamations: one commemorating the 90th anniversary of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and another recognizing Delegate Pamela Queen for her years of service in the Maryland General Assembly.

Council member Shebra Evans, who joined council members Loriane Sales and Will Jawando in leading the NCNW recognition, recounted the group’s founding by Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935 and acknowledged local Montgomery County and Potomac Valley chapters. "We have members that are both from the Montgomery County section, which was chartered in 1969, and the Potomac Valley chapter that was chartered in 1997," Evans said, thanking members for community service.

Crystal Lee, president of the NCNW Maryland State Coalition, said the organization continues to focus on civic engagement, health equity and mentoring. "Through our Power Up initiative... our members educate voters, register new voters, and help ensure eligible voters are prepared to make their voices heard at the ballot box," Lee said.

The council then read a proclamation honoring Delegate Pamela Queen, listing committee assignments and community roles and thanking her for her public service. Council president Natalie Fanny Gonzalez said the recognition reflects Queen’s long record of civic leadership; the proclamation noted appointments and leadership roles Queen held in the General Assembly and local civic organizations.

Both proclamations were ceremonial and did not require council action beyond the reading. The council moved on to its public hearings after the presentations.