In 1987, Congress declared March as National Women’s History Month in perpetuity. A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year to honor the extraordinary achievements of American women. Women have been an integral part in the settling of this nation, arriving here and working with their male fellow travelers to build this nation. Sadly, their accomplishments often went unnoticed or were never even mentioned.
With all the recent “Women’s Firsts”—the first African American/Asian Vice President, the first Treasury Secretary of the United and States, and increased representation in Congress as well as at state and local levels, women are starting to receive some of the recognition that has been long overdue. Female members and friends have served in the military, as homemakers, in government agencies, as business owners, and so on, are starting to be celebrated for the critical roles they play in society. Research shows that having women on corporate boards is good for the bottom line. Fortune 500 companies with higher percentages of female board members outperform competitors in return on equity, invested capital, and sales. Having female board members also helps organizations attract and retain top female talent. It is only appropriate that Dulles Triangles honors our first women and Board Members who have served and participated in the formation our social club.
Although this journey has not always been easy, our “founding females” have contributed greatly to make Dulles Triangles one of the oldest social clubs in the state of Virginia. As we celebrate 30 years of DTs this year, we would like to take some time to appreciate and give an honor to the women who have helped make Dulles Triangles such a strong and important social group.
For as long as we have maintained records, beginning in the 90s, DTs has had women participating in and managing the club. Some of the first women to join were Regina and her sister Maria Vardon.
The early 2000s brought us Danita Appleman, Maura Hackett, Jill Leonard, Susan Camorado, Jennifer Crowley, and Maria Gonzales. The Board led a vigorous appeal to increase women’s representation on the board around 2008, answered by Amy Burns and Elizabeth Vosseller, who served to the end of that decade.
From 2011 through 2014, Karen “Sweetpea” McLeod, Margo Prescott, Kim Hamlin, Diane Bowers, and Susan Murray served on the Board. In 2015 we were joined by Janet Clement, Suellen Evans, Melanie Irons, and Brigitte Wazana.
Pamela Lawson came on board in 2017, with Mary Braxton the following year, and Amy Burns rejoined the board in 2019. Closing out 2020 with a new way of socializing during the pandemic, Jodi Kirk, Cindy Wynn, Victoria Suarez joined the Board; and Brigitte came back to give assistance along with Amy. In 2021, three dynamic ladies are Board Members. Chris Sage joined as a new Member, and Suellen is back along with Amy.
We are excited and honored to have such a diverse and exceptional group of women helping to lead this one-of-a-kind social club. With its diversity of experience and different backgrounds, DTs will always have differences of opinion within the Board, but one thing that always remain constant is the love, honor, and respect we have for this club—and for our members and friends. Our debt to these heroic women can never be repaid and they have earned this club’s gratitude.
As Michelle Obama quoted, “Don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take a life of its own.”
Being one of the diverse individuals on the Board as well, it is my honor and privilege to salute the Women of Dulles Triangles.
Hugh (Pete) Paige, President
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