Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” How right she is! In recent months, this quote has made the rounds on social media posts, t-shirts, mugs, and memes.
On International Women’s Day, a day of big ideas and gestures, I’m thinking locally. The essential idea of the importance of women in leadership is in action every day, right here in Falls Church. In 2021, there are more women leading in Falls Church than ever before, in elected, appointed, employed, and volunteer positions. As Vice-Mayor of Falls Church, it’s an honor to serve in a community where women are in all the places where decisions are being made.
What follows is a long list of women - who are working in conjunction with another long list of men. Wherever decisions are being made, we need women and men. We need representation from all areas of the community. We need to tap into the life experiences of many people to lead our community to a brighter future.
We have the most women ever serving in elected office. Joining me on City Council are Letty Hardi and Debbie Hiscott. Our School Board includes Shannon Litton, Laura Downs, Susan Dimock, Sonia Ruiz-Bolanos (and up until recently Shawna Russell). Jody Acosta is our Treasurer. The Planning Commission includes Melissa Teates, Cory Firestone Weiss and Andrea Caumont.
Many City departments are led by women, and we are in good hands with Assistant City Manager Cindy Mester, City Attorney Carol McCoskrie, City Clerk Celeste Heath, Police Chief Mary Gavin, CFO Kiran Bawa, Housing & Human Services Director Nancy Vincent, Library Director Jenny Carroll, Communications Director Susan Finarelli, and Becky Witsman in Economic Development. These leaders are backed up by dozens of women in important jobs who make great things happen for residents all over the City.
Board & Commissions led by women include Urban Forestry chaired by Kathy Philpott-Costa; Humans Service Advisory Committee chaired by Nicole Newman; the Library Board chaired by Stephanie Oppenheimer. Janis Johnson served as chair of the Police Use of Force Committee. Megan Dolan is the chair of the Electoral Board. Our environmental programs are led by women Sandy Tarpinian leads the Community Wildlife Habitat Program. Amy Crumpton leads the Habitat Restoration Task Group and Tina Ho took the reins this year on Operation Earthwatch. The membership of these committees generously share their lifelong expertise with the community.
In the FCCPS the schools benefit from the leadership of Chief Operating Officer Kristen Michael, Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School Principal Valerie Hardy, Jessie Thackrey Preschool Director Angela Atwater, Executive Director of Special Education Rebecca Sharp, TJ Assistant Principal Amanda Davis, Attorney Patricia Minson, School Board Clerk Marty Gadell, HR Director Amy Hall, Finance Director Mechelle Coppock, Transportation Director Nancy Hendrickson, Day Care Director Katie Clinton, Director of Equity and Excellence Jennifer Santiago, Academic Directors Julie Macrina and Jeanne Seabridge. Teacher leaders are far too many to be listed, and they are the heart of our community in classrooms, and this year, in living rooms, too.
The School Board relies on advice from Advisory Committees. Laura Gould chairs the Health & Wellness Advisory Committee; Leanne Berthiaume chairs the Day Care Advisory Board; Shilpa Satoskar chairs the Gifted Education Advisory Board; Jennifer York chairs the Special Education Advisory Committee. The School Renaming Committees are chaired by Jamie Argento-Rodriguez and Sherry Witt. The work of School Affiliated Organizations create essential partnerships every year, and we are grateful to HS PTSA president Mary Asel; Henderson PTA president Vikki Spencer Ehrlich; Elementary PTA President Jenn Beck; Athletic Boosters President Becki Creed; Band Boosters President Ari Autor; Choral Boosters President Becca Tice.
So many non-profit organizations in Falls Church are led by women - Creative Cauldron is the creation of Laura Hull; Falls Church Chamber of Commerce is synonymous with Sally Cole, and Barbara Benson is the Chair; Falls Church Education Foundation is led by Debbie Hiscott and Cecily Shea. Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation is led by Irene Chambers, Rebecca Tinner Stotts, and Nikki Graves Henderson; Tinner Hill Music Festival is led by Tori McKinney. Adena Williams & Suzanne Hladky created “Better Together” Falls Church to support businesses and families. Peg Willingham continues to chair the Falls Church Democratic Committee. Adriana Palacios is serving as president of the Volunteer Fire Department. Stacey Evers started Grow-A-Row Falls Church so that gardeners could donate excess produce to food pantries. . Nancy Brandon, Julie Krachman, and Lindy Hockenberry are leading the Citizens for a Better City Youth Representatives Initiative to prepare leaders of the future. The Women’s History Group, is led by Sally Ekfelt, with brilliant women on board, making sure to recognize those amazing women who came before us.
These are the women who make decisions, make things happen, make a difference. The whole community benefits because each of these women bring considerable expertise and true dedication to the places where decisions are being made.
Happy International Women’s Day, Falls Church!
P.S. Despite my best efforts, I know I forgot someone, so if you know someone who belongs on this list, please let me know!