Women in History: Did You Know?

When her family moved from Baltimore to Rockville, MD in the 60′s, Joyce Siegel became deeply concerned that less than a mile away in the historically poor Scotland community, classmates of her children were living in shacks lacking running water, sewer and trash collections. She joined several organizations addressing housing issues of the poor in Montgomery County, MD and worked to upgrade the living conditions in the Scotland area.

Housing became the focus of her volunteerism and professional life as well, serving as public affairs officer of the county’s Housing Opportunities Commission and then as president of the nonprofit Interfaith Housing Coalition, working to find affordable housing for homeless families.

Joyce also co-founded a scholarship program in 1996 that has awarded  $300,000 to help offset educational and training expenses of low- and moderate-income families living in Montgomery County subsidized housing.

She set a positive example for what one determined woman can accomplish to help others.

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The Maryland Women’s Heritage Center is committed to telling and preserving the stories of Maryland’s unsung heroines and honoring their many contributions. Whether nurturing our families, volunteering in the community, leading an organization, working in a school, hospital or religious institution, campaigning for a political candidate, working in our factories, or creating a work of art, these women have played an integral role in helping to build Maryland’s future.

Find out how you can submit an unsung heroine for consideration.

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The Maryland Women’s Heritage Center...the first state center of its kind in the nation providing a place to learn and teach about the contributions of Maryland women throughout the state’s history.The initial home of the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center is open in Baltimore City at 39 West Lexington Street at Liberty Street!Hours of operation are Wednesday – Saturday from 10 am – 4 pm.  Admission is FREE!And, be sure to follow us on Twitter and visit our Facebook page for updates on the Center.