MD's Top 100 Women: 3 Prince George's Officials Make List

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Three Prince George's County officials are among the 100 most influential women in Maryland, The Daily Record declared. These three government leaders made the 2021 list:

• County Executive Angela Alsobrooks
• Del. Joseline Peña-Melnyk
• Associate Judge DaNeeka Varner Cotton

This is the third time on the list for Alsobrooks and Peña-Melnyk, who represents District 21 and northern Prince George's County in the Maryland General Assembly. Alsobrooks previously made the list in 2014 and 2016. Peña-Melnyk earned the honor in 2015 and 2018.

Alsobrooks and Peña-Melnyk are two of 321 women to ever earn the distinction three times, placing them in the organization's Circle of Excellence.

This is the first time Cotton was recognized. She serves on the Circuit Court for Prince George’s County.

"I’m honored and humbled to be one of this year’s honorees in The Daily Record’s Top 100 Women Circle of Excellence," Alsobrooks tweeted Monday. "Congratulations to all of my friends and colleagues who were also included in this year’s Top 100 Women of Maryland!"

Nominees must submit an application. Many also send a letter of recommendation. A panel of past winners and business leaders then chooses each year's awardees. They consider applicants' achievements in their professional field, local community and mentorship endeavors.

More than 1,500 different women have gotten the honor since the list started in 1996. The 2020 rankings saw 510 nominations. That application total is not yet available for the 2021 pool.

Click here to see the full list of this year's winners.

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