WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Thursday that eight women were selected for induction into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame for 2020 and 2021. The Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee selected these women for their remarkable achievements and contributions to the State of Delaware. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, two historic honorees will be inducted in 2020, and six contemporary honorees will be inducted in 2021.

This year, 2020, marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote. In honor of the anniversary, the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee is partnering with the Delaware Women’s Suffrage Centennial Committee to induct two Delaware women’s suffragists into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame: the late Margaret Burton White Houston, and the late Mary Seward Phillips Eskridge. The 2020 induction ceremony will take place during the historical marker dedication to women’s suffrage in Delaware on September 21, 2020 at 11 a.m. on the East Market Street side of the Sussex County Courthouse in Georgetown. The public is welcome to attend this free event, however, attendees must observe public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 that may be in place during this event.

The 2021 inductees include:

• Fayetta M. Blake, entrepreneur, and founder and executive director of Pathways to Success, Inc;
• Marianne Blackburn Drew, first female line Rear Admiral in the Naval Reserve, retired military, and former president of Lord Baltimore Women’s Club and Air Warrior Courage Foundation;
• Mrs. Ann Jaffe, a retired teacher, Holocaust survivor, and inspirational speaker;
• The Honorable Valerie Longhurst, Delaware House Majority Leader, executive director of the Police Athletic League of Delaware, and advocate for equality;
• The Honorable Stephanie T. Bolden, member of the Delaware House of Representatives, founder of Burton-Phelan Memorial Scholarship Program, and senior citizen and foster care activist; and
• The Honorable Jennifer Cohan, community leader and Secretary of the Delaware Department of Transportation.

The 2021 inductees will be recognized at the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 14, 2021 at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. Event details, including tickets and sponsorships, will be available in the coming months at de.gov/women.

“As we mark the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, it’s only fitting to induct Delaware suffragists – Margaret Burton White Houston and Mary Seward Phillips –  into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women,” said Governor Carney. “These two leaders worked tirelessly to ensure the women of the future would have the rights they should have had all along. And the 2021 inductees have made a tremendous impact in Delaware – from inspiring and educating others, to being trailblazers in their fields and working to make Delaware a stronger state. Congratulations on your selection, and thank you to the Women’s Hall of Fame Committee for choosing another round of remarkable Delaware Women for induction into the Hall of Fame.”

The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women was established in 1981 and is the oldest annual celebration of its kind commemorating Delaware women. Eligible women must have been born in Delaware or resided in the state for a minimum of ten years.

“During this unprecedented time, it’s important that we take a moment to pause and celebrate the achievements of these outstanding Delaware women,” said Kay Keenan, Chair of the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee.

“These women not only overcame obstacles, but broke barriers, and have left their mark on our state, nation and world,” said Melanie Ross Levin, Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy. “We encourage the public to sign up at de.gov/women to receive notification when tickets become available for the 2021 event.”

For more information about the honorees and the upcoming induction ceremonies – including how to receive notifications for when tickets are available to purchase – please go to de.gov/women.

View the biographies of the 2020 inductees and the 2021 inductees.

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Deadline to submit nominations is midnight on April 21, 2020

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney and the Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy (OWAA) on Tuesday announced that the nomination process is open for induction into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame for 2020. Nomination forms are available online at de.gov/women. The deadline for applications is midnight on April 21, 2020. 

The Hall of Fame of Delaware Women was established in 1981 to recognize the achievements of outstanding Delaware women and their contributions to communities across the state. The induction ceremony is the oldest annual celebration of its kind commemorating Delaware women.

“This event is a success year after year because Delawareans across the state take the time to nominate women who have played an important role in our state,” said Governor Carney. “I encourage the public to think about the women in their lives and consider them for this honor.”

The 2019 honorees included Tania Vitcusky Culley, Drewry N. Fennell, Judge Jan R. Jurden, Maria Matos, the late Blanche Williams Stubbs, and Marie Swajeski.

“Every year I am blown away by the caliber of the honorees for the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women,” said Kay Keenan, Chair, Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee. “We receive nominations for women from different backgrounds – artists, athletes, community organizers, educators, public servants, and more – who make an impact in communities across the state.”

The 2020 inductees will be recognized at the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women Induction Ceremony on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 at Dover Downs Hotel and Casino. In addition to honoring the inductees, this year’s ceremony will mark the 100^th anniversary of the passage of the 19^th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women Induction Ceremony can be purchased online at de.gov/women. For sponsorship information, please call 302-577-8790.

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Induction ceremony set for Thursday, October 17 in Dover

WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced today that six women were selected for induction into the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame for 2019. The Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy and the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee received more than 60 applications. The committee chose six of the top nominees who made significant contributions in Delaware for induction into the 38th Hall of Fame of Delaware Women.

The inductees include Tania M. Culley, children’s rights activist and the first Child Advocate for the State of Delaware; Drewry N. Fennell, human rights advocate, leader in the fight for LGBTQ equality in Delaware, and former Chief of Staff to Governor Jack Markell; Superior Court Judge Jan R. Jurden, the first female President Judge of the Superior Court of Delaware; Maria Matos, a nonprofit leader for the Latino community, and President and CEO of the Latin American Community Center; the late Blanche Williams Stubbs, a teacher, suffragist, social worker, and civil rights leader; and Marie Swajeski, a pioneer in theatrical arts for children and founder of the Delaware Children’s Theatre.

In addition to honoring the inductees, this year’s ceremony will incorporate a Centennial of Women’s Suffrage theme. The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting women’s constitutional right to vote.

“It’s never a surprise the wealth of knowledge, leadership, and talent that is highlighted when we announce the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame inductees – and this year is no exception,” said Governor Carney. “These women played distinct and important roles in our state, and have touched the lives of so many Delawareans throughout their careers. Congratulations on your selection, and thank you to the Women’s Hall of Fame Committee for choosing another round of remarkable Delaware Women for induction into the Hall of Fame.”

“We reviewed an overwhelming number of nominations this year, and many of the candidates were worthy of consideration, so that made our deliberations extremely challenging,” said Kay Keenan, Chair of the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Committee. “These remarkable women made a lasting impact on the lives of Delawareans, and we are thrilled to honor their legacies.”

Inductees will be recognized at the 38th Annual Hall of Fame of Delaware Women Induction Ceremony on Thursday, October 17, at the Dover Downs Hotel & Casino. The event begins with a dinner reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by an awards program.

“Our office is proud to promote the equality and equity of women, and the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame is one of the ways we recognize the achievements of outstanding women and their contributions to communities across Delaware,” said Melanie Ross Levin, Director of the Office of Women’s Advancement & Advocacy. “We encourage the public to attend this special event as we highlight the enduring value of the inductees’ accomplishments.”

Tickets for the event can be purchased online at de.gov/women.

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