WIMG Names Six Finalists for Leadership Award
by Sadira Daher
Six local elected officials from cities across the country have been selected as finalists for the Women in Municipal Government (WIMG) Leadership Award. The winner will be announced at the upcoming Congress of Cities in San Antonio.
The WIMG annual awards luncheon will take place at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Friday, November 13 at noon. WIMG President Susan Burgess, mayor pro tem, Charlotte, N.C., will be presiding. The luncheon is open to all registered delegates and registered guests, especially colleagues of the award finalists. Tickets must be purchased in advance either via NLC’s online registration or at the registration desk at the Congress of Cities. Membership in WIMG is not required for attendance.
The finalists include (in alphabetical order): Alfred Mae Drakeford, councilmember, Camden, S.C.; Joycelyn Johnson, councilmember, Winston-Salem, N.C.; Belinda LaForce, mayor, Searcy, Ark.; Sedalia Sanders, councilmember, El Centro, Calif.; Kathy Turner, councilmember, Puyallup, Wash.; and Charlina Watson, councilwoman, Bladensburg, Md.
All award candidates were nominated by individual colleagues. The following nominators have provided statements about the finalists. The annual WIMG Leadership Award is co-sponsored by NLC Corporate Partners ICMA-RC, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage and Comcast.
According to Mayor Jeffrey Graham of Camden, “Alfred Mae Drakeford exemplifies the struggles women of strong character have endured to be heard and respected in leadership positions and is a wonderful role model for young ladies. This is why her nomination for the WIMG Leadership Award should be considered.”
Jay Shock, human resource director for the City of Searcy, stated that his statements can only “represent a fraction of the examples of leadership, mentoring and problem solving skills that I and many others have witnessed by Mayor LaForce. ... If you could wear my shoes for only one day, you would have the opportunity to experience a portion of what I have witnessed in six-and-a-half years, making me a firm believer that Mayor LaForce should be honored with this award.”
“Councilmember Joycelyn V. Johnson deserves this WIMG Leadership Award because, for 16 years, she has been a quiet, strong force leading efforts to improve Winston-Salem’s housing, infrastructure, job development and public safety,” said S. Ellis Hankins, executive director of the North Carolina League of Municipalities. “... And perhaps, most importantly, she advocates for a future not based on a personal vision, but one based on community consensus and combined wisdom — the very model of an ideal municipal leader.”
Mayor Benjamin Solomon of El Centro, has said of Sedalia Sanders, “As mayor of El Centro, I have observed Sedalia’s leadership style; she is a committed and dedicated worker for our city, the region, the state and NLC. Time and again I have witnessed the poise, grace and courage she exhibits as she deals with challenges and unpleasant situations. I am pleased to give her my full support as the 2009 WIMG Leadership Award Recipient.”
Tamara Brouillet, councilmember, Puyallup, stated about Turner, “Kathy’s vision for the city includes maintaining current community values and standards, supporting the revitalization and investment of downtown, and providing a safe and comfortable atmosphere for all citizens to reside. ‘My commitment is to our community,’ Kathy states.”
“Councilwoman Watson should become the winner of the WIMG Leadership Award because as the saying goes ‘a picture is worth a thousand words,’ her community being the canvas, she provides the paint, and brush layering and filling in the necessary hues to bring about a beautiful finished product,” said Elaine Fedrick of Elaine’s Eloquent Events and Creations, Washington, D.C. “... So with hope, Councilwoman Watson, and the community, the picture becomes a beautiful masterpiece painting that provides a picture of opportunities for all.”
Details: For more information on NLC’s Congress of Cities, visit www.nlccongressofcities.org. For a full schedule of events for WIMG at the Congress of Cities, visit the constituency group webpage on www.nlc.org. For additional details and more information on how to become a WIMG member and/or purchase a ticket for the luncheon, contact NLC staff at (202) 626-3169.
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