Commissioners
Commission Officers
Jennifer Jones, Chair
 Ms. Jennifer B. Jones, a resident of Bowie, is the Managing Member of Jones, Mitchell & Associates, LLC and is responsible for the construction of an upscale restaurant in the Largo Community. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Southern University, a Masters in Experimental Pathology from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) and also studied Molecular Oncology for six years as a Doctoral Candidate in the Department of Pathology at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
Ms. Jones has over 15 years of experience within the Biomedical, Biotechnological and Biopharmaceutical profession. This experience in academic, business and health research and medicine included technical bio-scientific research, medical patient/clinical trial research; business development; project management; grant administration, training; sales and marketing, and strategic planning. Her experience has spanned great institutions such as the National Institute of Health, National Cancer Institute and Meharry Medical College as well as extensive work within the Northeastern Pharmaceutical Market including Bristol Meyers Squibb, Merck, Hoffman LaRoche (Europe), and Johnson & Johnson.
This collective experience honed her skills in the full spectrum of market commercialization of research, pharmaceutical and medical products and the collateral management of multi-million dollar research projects, laboratory construction and personnel management and training. The business education and leadership skills gleaned in the medical profession were transferred to work in other professional arenas such as full life-cycle recruitment, motivational and inspirational speaking, business consulting and the culinary arts. Ms. Jones is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the loving mother of two pre-teen boys.
Amanda Welch, Secretary
 Ms. Welch, a resident of Upper Marlboro, serves as the Coordinator of the Aftercare Transitional Life Unit in the Prince George’s County Department of Corrections. Ms. Welch holds an undergraduate degree in Business Education from Saint Augustine’s College in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Since taking her post in November 2000, Ms. Welch has worked with community and faith-based organizations to develop awareness regarding the importance of reintegrating ex-offenders back into society. Her career in Corrections began in 1991 with the Virginia Correctional Center for Women (VCCW) in Richmond, Virginia as a Correctional Officer. She later matriculated into a civilian position as a Corrections Institutional Rehabilitation Counselor where she developed and facilitated programs for female offenders who were convicted of serious offenses and who were serving 20 years to life sentences.
Ms. Welch relocated to the Washington DC area in 1995 after taking a position as an Inmate Services Counselor with the Arlington County Sheriff’s Department. She currently holds numerous professional certifications and has completed training in Cognitive Restructuring Behavior, Crisis Management and Developmental Disabilities. One of the most notable credentials is her experience as an Offender Workforce Development Specialist. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Positive Women Uniting. She has been a volunteer for the Arlington County Victims of Violence Hotline since 1999. Ms. Welch is the dedicated mother of her young son.
Lynn Baldwin, Historian
 Ms. Baldwin, a resident of Bowie, has over 35 years of work experience in the field of Childhood Education and is currently employed by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission as the Child Care Coordinator for two County childcare centers: the Prince George’s County Employees Child Care Center and the Prince George’s County Public Schools Employees Child Care Center. Both are accredited by the Maryland State Department of Education.
Ms. Baldwin received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Maryland at College Park and is responsible for the coordination of student curriculum, managing staff and working with parents in her present position. She also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Prince George’s Community College where she teaches Early Childhood Education. She is involved in several local childcare organizations including the Prince George’s County Interagency Early Childhood Committee; the Prince George’s County Group Childcare Association; and the Prince George’s Child Resource Center.
Ms. Baldwin’s extensive background and knowledge of childcare and childhood education offers the Commission invaluable insight to issues that are very important to women and a perfect complement to the diverse and talented group.
MEMBERS
 Oretha Bridgwaters
Ms. Oretha Bridgwaters, a resident of Upper Marlboro, serves as Chair of the Planning and Research Committee of the Commission for Women. She is a Regional Assistant Superintendent for Prince George’s County Public Schools. She received a Bachelor of Arts, from Knoxville College in Knoxville, Tennessee and a Master’s Degree from the University of Louisville in Louisville, Kentucky. Some of her professional experiences include: Vice Chair of the Maryland State Human Relations Commission, Chair of the Maryland State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education, Destination Imagination Judge, Accelerated Principals Academy Trainer, Secretary for Harriet’s, Past President of the Prince George’s Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Facilitator for Conflict Resolution Center in the Town of Glenarden. She was the recipient of many honors such as the Washington Post Distinguished Leader Award, Prince Georgian of the Year Award, Top Woman of Service Award from Washington View Magazine, Senegal Friendship Award, National Association of Gifted Children Administrator Award, and the Lois C. Williams Friends of Odyssey of the Mind.
 Penelope G. Mendoza
Penelope G. Mendoza, a resident of Bladensburg, serves as the Deputy Town Administrator for the Town of Riverdale Park in Prince George’s County. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and a Masters degree in Business Administration from the Merrick School of Business at the University of Baltimore.
Ms. Mendoza is a mentor in the Young Ladies of Distinction program at Bladensburg High School and a member of the Maryland Multicultural Youth Center Advisory Board.
 Mi Young Pak
Mrs. Mi Young Pak, a resident of Glenn Dale, is presently an Art Teacher in the Prince George’s County Public School System where she has shared her talents for more than 32 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, Korea and thereafter received a Masters of Education degree from George Mason University.
Her experience and love for art extends from her native home in Korea to work within the Maryland National Capital Parks and Planning Commission, as well as to Prince George’s Community College. Mrs. Pak is an accomplished business woman, community leader, and philanthropist. She holds such distinction as having been a Member of the Century 21 Realtors Million Dollar Club since 1988 and designing the Asian Pacific American Heritage Council’s festival poster, program booklet and logo. Mi Young Pak also has numerous affiliations with Korean and Korean-American organizations that range from holding the position of Chairperson for the Korean Association of Greater Washington, to Chair of the Arts Committee for the Korean-American Culture Center.
She has received a citation for her tireless years of work in the Korean community and donates her valuable time to Korean seniors by hosting arts and craft workshops and socials. While her artwork and creative designs rest with many prestigious organizations, Mrs. Pak is most proud of her work rearing two intelligent and successful daughters in the Prince George’s County Public School System.
 Jane Lewis Ross
Dr. Jane Ross, a resident of Greenbelt, is the Director of the Center for Economic, Governance, and International Studies at the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences. She manages several boards and committees that cover a broad range of social and economic issues such as aging, immigration, children and families.
She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and a Doctorate in Economics from American University. Dr. Ross is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare.
Linda Johnson Thomas
 Ms. Thomas, a resident of Mitchellville, is a Sales Director for Mary Kay, Inc. and is responsible for the management of sales representatives in 13 states.
Ms. Thomas attended Howard University and Bowie State University where she majored in Business Management and received a Masters of Divinity degree from Howard University School of Divinity in 2000.
Ms. Thomas holds over 18 years of budget experience within the federal government where she served as an advisor to executive leadership, for oversight in effectively managing day-to-day budget related actions of Congress; designer of congressional tracking system; served as lead on all legislative matters; published the administrative control of funds order governing all expenditures; developer of financial reporting system monitoring outlays/costs for a $13 billion dollar budget. Her budget analyst experience includes great agencies such as the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Department of Energy and the Department of Transportation.
Ms. Thomas established a Domestic Violence Program within the First Baptist Church of Glenarden, servicing the greater Prince George’s community. She is member of the National Council of Negro Women. She is also an inspirational and motivational speaker.
 Diane Williams
Ms. Williams is a resident of Mitchellville, is a Retired Contract and Procurement Specialist and Entrepreneur (Christol Salon and Spa) and holds the position of Chair, Public Relations Committee (Media, Legislative and Community Awareness) for the Prince George's County Commission for Women.
Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Columbia Union College. Through her studies at the University of Virginia, Ms. Williams received certification in the Contracts and Procurement Management program. She has numerous years of experience in developing, strategizing and negotiating contracts. She is a Professional Contract Consultant for State and Federal Government. Her experience includes negotiating multi-million dollar research projects, state and local, age discrimination & disability contracts etc. A noted advocate for Women and Women’s Issues, Ms. Williams holds memberships in a number of organizations for women. She currently serves as the President of the Women's Action Coalition of Prince George's County and is a member of the American Association of University Women, Southern Prince George’s Business and Professional Women, and the League of Women Voters. She has served on the Board of Directors of the Prince George’s County Family Crisis Center and the Executive Board of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women of Prince George’s County, where she has also chaired the Aging Committee. Ms. Williams is a Life Member of the NAACP, and received the Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives in honor of her outstanding and invaluable service to the community and Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of her leadership, commitment to women's issues and continued support of Southern Prince George's Business and Professional Women Organization programs and special events. Ms. Williams was appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley as a Commissioner for the Maryland Commission for Women.
Mandated Agency Commissioners
Jamilah Adams, Human Relations Commission
Elana Belon-Butler, Department of Health Department
Karyn Lynch, Department of Social Services
Linda Thornton Thomas, Board of Education
The Commission for Women meets monthly and meetings are open to the public.
The Commission for Women advises the County Executive, County Council, and the citizens of Prince George's County on matters that influence the well being of women. The Commission recommends programs or legislation to insure equal rights and opportunities for all women. It conducts research and issues reports on the status of women in the County, holds public meetings or hearings pertaining to women's needs, and proposes initiatives to remove inequalities on the basis of sex. The Commission develops and maintains an information and referral service to respond to Prince George's County women's needs.
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