BALTIMORE ( JULY 1, 2011) – The Maryland Commission for Women (MCW) hosted its fourteenth annual Women of Tomorrow recognition ceremony on June 30, 2011 at the Maryland Yacht Club Clubhouse in Anne Arundel county. The award, established in 1997, identifies young women in middle school and high school who have set sail into their future by demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to community service and academic excellence.
The honorees were selected through a process that begins with an annual statewide call for nominations. An independent, all-volunteer selection committee reviews the applications and normally selects six young women, two per grade grouping from sixth through twelfth grades. However, this year eight young women will be honored.
“This annual event highlights young women who are making significant and remarkable contributions to their communities,” said Theodore Dallas, secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Resources. “These young ladies are truly our future leaders.”
The Maryland Commission for Women, established by the Maryland Legislature in 1971, promotes the social, political, and economic equality of Maryland women. It advises government, advances solutions, and serves as a statewide resource to expand social, political, and economic opportunities for all women.
The Carroll County 2011 Women of Tomorrow Award honoree is: Josephine Grant, Francis Scott Key High School
Josephine Grant
Josie Grant is a sophomore at Francis Scott Key High School in Union Bridge, Maryland. In 2008, at the age of 13, she started her own foundation, Josie’s Smiles for Pediatrics, in hopes of making pediatric patients smile. She began with her own money to purchase items for patients. She continues to contact individuals, local, and national businesses to encourage them to make donations for the Pediatric Unit and Family Birthplace at Carroll Hospital Center. Through her endeavor, she has coordinated the donation of over $23,000, so far. She plans to expand her foundation to more hospitals.
She has accumulated over 845 community service hours since the summer of 2006. During middle school, she spent two years volunteering at Lorien Nursing Center, helping with the elderly. She also helped at a local daycare. She has walked for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in both Maryland and Indiana in honor of her aunt. She has participated for three years at Maryland Brain Injury Association’s Eat-A-Peach, walked for Leukemia and Lymphoma, and Diabetes, along with many more community service efforts. She devotes her free time to making a difference.
She has maintained honor roll status since elementary school, even while taking accelerated, honors, and Advance Placement classes. She was her high school’s Key Club Treasurer and currently is the President. She has attended Key Club District Convention two years in a row. She was an active member of S.H.O.U.T. (Students Helping Others while Understanding Themselves) and Culture Club in middle school. In addition, she was a member of her high school freshman basketball team.
Following high school, she plans to attend college and major in nursing to become a Neonatal Nurse working at a stage five NICU.
