Contact: Donna Bigler, 240-777-6530
For Immediate Release: October 26, 2001

Duncan Receives “Trailblazer” Award for
Advancement of Women in the Workplace;
County Receives “Best Practices” Award

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today received the Trailblazer Award for the Advancement of Women at the annual Workforce Development Awards breakfast sponsored by Montgomery Work/Life Alliance and Montgomery County Chamber Workforce Corporation.

The Montgomery County Commission for Women Trailblazer Award was established in 2000 to recognize an employer whose exemplary employment, learning and development and human resources policies, program and practices demonstrate the organization’s commitment to women in the workplace.

“We have chosen to honor the County Executive for his personal determination to bring fairness and equity into the workplace,” said Commission for Women President Jong-on Hahm. “Mr. Duncan has demonstrated, in a very public manner, a commitment to shattering the glass ceiling.”

Trailblazer Awards were presented to three employers who showed exemplary commitment to work/life policies. Duncan received a Trailblazer Award in the “Advancement of Women in the Workplace” category which is awarded by the Commission for Women. The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development presented an award to Festive Foods in the “Small/Medium Size Employer” category, and the Montgomery County Alliance of Private Nonprofit Organizations presented an award to Holy Cross Hospital in the “Nonprofit Employer” category.

Montgomery County Government received a “Workplace Excellence” Seal of Approval Award from the Montgomery Work/Life Alliance for supporting work/life practices that help employees integrate their professional, personal and community roles. The County was one of 26 recipients of this award, which was presented to small, medium and large organizations. Recipients went through an application and review process to receive the “Workplace Excellence” Seal of Approval that publicly acknowledges the efforts and exceptional commitment of the recipients to work/life practices.

For more information, call Judith Vaughan-Prather at 301-279-8301.