Audrey E. Scott

Audrey and John Scott (the couple on the left) are friends that I inherited when I married Dick (the handsome gentleman on the right) about a half dozen years ago. As the story goes John Scott worked with my husband when they were in Japan in the early 1960's. Audrey was fresh out of college and employed by the Dept of Defense as a 1st grade teacher. One of her students was Dick's oldest child, Sandra. John and Audrey married while in Japan and Dick and Jean (she was Dick's wife of 47 years) attended their wedding. Over the years there were moves, promotions, kids, school, careers, etc. But the two families kept in touch via Christmas cards. I met Audrey a few years ago when she was campaigning for Bob Erlich (a Republican) for Governor. Mr. Erlich won and Audrey served as his Secretary of Planning. I was struck by her positive attitude and her ability to see through the issues and actually get some important projects accomplished.


Wednesday night (14 March 2007) we were invited to the induction ceremony of Audrey and four other outstanding women into the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame. Here is a picture of the women. From right to left: Karen H. Rothenberg, Dean of University of Maryland Law School; Audrey E. Scott; Prasanna Nair, M.D.; Sally Grant; and hidden behind Sally Grant is Col. Annette Deener. It was truly amazing to be part of this event, honoring these women who have contributed so much to the people of the State of Maryland. All of these women are outstanding role models, mentors, mothers, wives who have had a vision , the courage to act on that vision and the support of their families while they gave of themselves.


There were all sorts of folks at this event along with many photographers with their press passes and two cameras slung around their necks. I knew that this event would be well documented. We went up to congratulate Audrey and I decided that the most important photos were not being taken. What I call the 'hugging photos'. These were all the friends, relatives and well wishers that have supported Audrey through her career. So I took out my little digital camera and started shooting these precious moments.
The women at the right asked Audrey, "Do you remember me?" She was a 1st grade student of Audrey's years ago.




I believe this photo is of Audrey Scott and Wilhelmina Burress the women who nominated Audrey for this honor. The Scott family settled in Prince George's County in the 1970's and Audrey became aware of the lack of health care options in that county. In 1974 the Bowie Health Clinic opened and Audrey served as chairman for 24 years. Another remarkable feat-she was elected as mayor of Bowie for three terms (remarkable because Bowie is Maryland's third largest city, she was first woman to serve as Mayor of this city and she was a Republican in a very Democratic county).



Here is a photo of Audrey with Katie O'Malley, the First Lady of Maryland. The gentleman is Katie's handler for the evening. The woman on the left is Dr. Prasanna Nair and the woman on the right is Sally Grant.

I plan to make a "Hugging Photos" album for Audrey of all the snap shots I got of her receiving hugs from the people who admire her and the work she has done on behalf of the people of the state of Maryland and women.