HFCC Sponsors Annual Women’s Recognition Luncheon

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DEARBORN — Four prominent women leaders from Southeast Michigan will serve on a panel titled “Women in Public Life: Answering the Call for Leadership” at Henry Ford Community College’s (HFCC) 40th Annual Women’s Recognition Luncheon on March 22. The event runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Student and Culinary Arts Center, located on the College’s main campus.

This year’s four panelists include:

Debbie Dingell: Currently the president of D2 Strategies, Dingell is chair of the Manufacturing Initiative of the American Automotive Policy Council. She is an active civic and community leader in both Michigan and Washington, D.C., and is recognized as a national advocate for women and children. She recently completed a career at General Motors as a senior executive spanning more than 30 years, where she headed the GM Foundation. She is the wife of Congressman John Dingell.

Brenda Lawrence: The first female and African-American mayor of the city of Southfield, serving since 2001, Lawrence was the Democratic nominee for Michigan lieutenant governor in 2010. Under her administration, she has initiated several community programs: The Mayor’s Walk, a community health program; The Mayor’s Roundtable, a citizen-driven forum where residents discuss one-on-one various issues of concern; and Today’s Woman, a local cable show featuring respected women in and around Southfield. She was recognized as one of Crain’s “2007 Most Influential Women” in October of that year, as well as being a recipient of the Detroit Historical Society’s “Enterprising Women” Award.

Deb Drummond: A military veteran with approximately 10 years experience, Drummond is past president of the local MI-2 Chapter of the Women Marines Association. She has served as the chair of the National Membership of the Women Marines Association and Adjutant of Marine Corps League Detachment 162.

Vicki Barnett: The State Representative of the 37th House District, Barnett represents the cities of Farmington and Farmington Hills. Before coming to the House, Barnett served on the Farmington Hills City Council from 1995 to 2003. She also served as the mayor of Farmington Hills from 2003 to 2007. A former investment consultant, Barnett served as the president of the Michigan Municipal League, chair of the Data Advisory Council for the Southeast Michigan council of Governments, and as a board member of the National League of Cities.

Jacqueline Lawson, an instructor in the HFCC Business and Economics Division, will moderate the panel discussion.

If you would like to attend the luncheon, please contact Cyndi Parrelly at (313) 845-9650 or via email at cparrelly@hfcc.edu.