Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.
Leadership is the word that describes people who show the ability to be decisive during a crisis.
In my opinion, there are two people who are exhibiting this trait now. One is Governor Larry Hogan and the other is Baltimore City’s State’s Attorney Marilyn J. Mosby.
Governor Hogan’s decisions as a chief executive officer are winning him high remarks. Mrs. Mosby’s decisions are winning her a place in the history books.
When she first burst on to the scene, she exhibited political courage. Her willingness to take on corruption and police misconduct has proven to be second to none.
Recently, her announcement that her office would not prosecute minor criminal offenses during the COVID-19 outbreak is just another example of her willingness to think outside of the box.
She knows that the health threat that citizens are facing is far greater than pursuing minor trespassing charges or the possession of small quantities of drugs.
I have always admired people with courage. History is replete with them. During Women’s History Month, there is a tendency to look back and spotlight women of the past.
Earlier this month, the Caucus of African-American Leaders in cooperation with Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman identified over 100 women who are making a difference in their communities now.
These women were honored with the Michelle Obama Executive Citation by County Executive Steuart Pittman.
These 100 women exhibited some of the same characteristics of leadership as the Honorable Marilyn J. Mosby. They do not stick their fingers to the wind before acting, they see problems and they act.
The State of Maryland has a reputation for creating an honor roll of women making history and being icebreakers, pathfinders and ceiling eliminators.
That list includes Harriet Tubman, Billie Holiday, Juanita Jackson Mitchell, State Senator Verda Welcome, Enola McMillan, U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, Congresswoman Donna Edwards, House of Delegates Speaker Adrienne Jones, County Executive Janet Owens, Mayor Ellen Moyer, Alderwoman Cynthia Abney Carter and so many more.
During a crisis, people have an opportunity to see leaders either rise to the occasion or shrink.
On the national level, we have seen people not rising to meet the challenge, however, here in the State of Maryland, a number of our elected officials have shown outstanding resolve. I will be highlighting others in time.
When the history books are written, Marilyn J. Mosby will be recognized as one of those leaders who rose to the occasion. I am proud of her leadership.
Somewhere in the heavens, you can hear Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, Rosa Parks, Betty Shabazz, Coretta Scott King and Maya Angelou shouting in unison “that’s our Marilyn, you go girl!”
Stay Woke. Stay. Alert. Stay Calm. Stay Tuned. Vote in 2020.
Carl Snowden leads the African American Caucus in Anne Arundel County. He is a life-long activist and columnist for the Capital Newspaper and The Arundel Patriot.
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