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—– By: Ann Costantino —-
Baltimore County Public Schools’ student board member has been chosen as one of three visionary women who will be recognized during the county’s 37th Annual “Woman of the Year” Award Ceremony to be held later this month.
Haleemat Adekoya was chosen along with two other distinguished women to receive the honor by Baltimore County government and the Women’s Commission. Her award is for “2019 Young Woman of the Year.”
Adekoya, a senior at Milford Mill Academy, has served on the school board since July 2018. She was elected by students to represent the school system’s roughly 113,000 student body as a voice for youth on the 12-member board. Her one-year term will end this June.
In addition to serving as a student member of the school board, Adekoya serves as president for Millford Mill Academy’s Class of 2019, and is a member of numerous academic honor societies and leadership groups.
A description on her board member page also notes that Adekoya owns and co-founded Dare2Bee, a female empowerment organization for young girls in the Baltimore area.
Dare2Bee provides community outreach services and facilitates mentorship opportunities which aim to foster girls’ “accountability, growth, and positive influence by providing love, support, financial, and emotional resources.” A description of the organization also states that Dare2Bee leaders also visit schools in the Baltimore area during its #DIVATOUR, where the group’s leaders speak with girls about struggles and solutions.
Along with Adekoya, Aziza Khan has been selected as “Woman of the Year.” Khan is a refugee advocate and mentor to women and their families spreading “love for all and hatred for none,” according to a press release from the county.
Cynthia Mingo, described as a social justice community champion, will also be awarded the “Woman Making a Difference” award for her work in addressing economic disparities.
Baltimore County honors women’s contributions to American society every year, during its designated March Women’s History Month.
The theme chosen this year is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace and Nonviolence.”
The county is honoring the three women for championing the use of nonviolence to end war, violence, and injustice.
Adekoya will be honored along with Khan and Mingo at the “Woman of the Year” Awards Ceremony which will be held on March 28 at 6:00 p.m. at the Historic Courthouse in Towson.
