The State of Maryland is home to many women “firsts” and “founders” who will be highlighted and honored at the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center.

 In addition to these renowned women who are known far beyond our state, there are innumerable women in each of our lives who have sustained our families, taught or volunteered in our schools, worked for social justice and shaped our communities—often behind the scenes, serving anonymously, without recognition and praise. The Maryland Women’s Heritage Center is committed to telling and preserving the stories of these unsung heroines and honoring their many contributions.

 Maryland’s unsung heroines were first defined in the book, “Notable Maryland Women,” by Winifred Helmes. This description was adapted somewhat for today’s realities and was published in “Women of Achievement in Maryland History*” in 2002, written by Carolyn Stegman, a member of the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center Board of Directors, and initiated by former First Lady Frances Hughes Glendening, Maryland Women’s Heritage Center President.

Whether nurturing our families, volunteering in the community, leading an organization, working in a school, hospital or religious institution, campaigning for a political candidate, working in our factories, or creating a work of art, these unsung heroines have played an integral role in helping to build Maryland’s future.

In each issue of the “Women’s Journal,” the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center will highlight an unsung heroine in Maryland. If you would like to share the story of an unsung heroine in your life, please submit your story, accompanied by a photo, if available, to the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center at www.MDWomensHeritageCenter.org/Unsung-Heroines. We will be happy to preserve and transmit your story through the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center, and consider it to be published in an upcoming issue of the “Women’s Journal.”

For more information or to become involved in supporting the creation of the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center, visit our Website at www.MDWomensHeritageCenter.org, call 410-767-0675, or e-mail mwhcjill@comcast.net.