According to a recent press release from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, on Wednesday, April 30, 2014, Oakland County Commissioner Mattie McKinney Hatchett will be one of the recipients of the 30th WONder Woman Award for 2014 presented by the Women Officials’ Network Foundation at the San Marino Club, located at 1685 East Big Beaver Road in Troy, Michigan.
The award is given to those women who have contributed civically or professionally to their communities. The focus of the event is to support and acknowledge these women for their accomplishments and to recognize them as role models for other women.
Commissioner Mattie McKinney Hatchett will be honored, along with other awardees including Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Lisa Gorcyca, 50th District Court Judge Cynthia Walker, Ms. Debra Erhman, Vice President of Centro Multicultural Center, and Ms. Ruth Holmes, President of the International Women’s Forum-Michigan.
Commissioner Hatchett was selected as a WONder Woman because of her illustrious lifelong career as a steward of the community and a public official. She has inspired many women throughout her years of service. Hatchett has served on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners since 2002, and is currently serving as a Pontiac School Board Trustee. She is known as the “Mother of Pontiac,” and was the first African American woman to serve as President of the Michigan Association of Counties.
“I am honored to be able to recognize all of the WONder Women who will be acknowledged this year for their service and commitment to the community. However, I am especially proud to be able to recognize Commissioner Mattie Hatchett. Commissioner Hatchett has been a trailblazer in Oakland County for many years and her passion is an inspiration to me and others. Mattie is an outstanding role model, who has made a difference in lives of many people,” stated Oakland County Board Chairman Michael J. Gingell.
In March, Michigan’s 11th District Congressman Kerry Bentolivio read the WONder Women’s award recipients names into the official record on the United States Congress floor in recognition of the 30th Anniversary of the award.
The Wonder Woman Award originated as a tradition previously held by the Women’s Survival Center of Oakland County, but was continued after the center closed in 2006, by the Women’s Official Network Foundation. The WON Foundation saw the value in the award program and felt compelled to continue recognizing distinguished women who have influenced the lives of others.
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