Washingtonian Magazine recognizes Maria Gomez as local hero at the 40th anniversary of the Washingtonian of the Year Awards

Maria Gomez, President and CEO of Mary’s Center, was recognized today by the Washingtonian magazine as a local hero who continues to do excellent work to make Washington a great place to live and work.

“It is truly an honor to stand among all of the distinguished leaders that have been acknowledged by the Washingtonian over the last 40 years,” said Maria Gomez. “I’m committed to continue to serve our community as long as there is need.”

Ms. Gomez, having received the Washingtonian of the Year award in 1994 for her commitment to supporting the most vulnerable families in the District of Columbia, has grown Mary’s Center, the non-profit organization that she founded in 1988, from an initial budget of $250,000 serving 200 participants a year to an annual budget of $20 million with more than 24,000 participants.  The center has three sites in DC, one in Montgomery County, and will open a new site in Prince George’s County on January 31, 2012. 

Read the rest of the press release here.

Pictured: Maria Gomez in 1994, the year she won the Washingtonian of the Year award.