

For Our Members
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President Update
Our International Women’s Forum stands in agreement as we mourn the loss of our beloved honorary member Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Many of us recall spirited discussions with her at the Supreme Court. She was a hero, a believer in the rule of law, a woman of a certain stature, a force to be reckoned with, a lawyer, a jurist, but most of all, a leader who revelled in the promise of the next generation.
The first time I ever spoke with Justice Ginsburg, I was paying tribute to Judge John Garrett Penn after his portrait was placed in the ceremonial courtroom of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Imagine, you are a seasoned lawyer, but by no means beyond being starstruck by a woman Supreme Court Justice. She crosses the room to tell you how touched she was by your remarks and you go from starstruck to silent. Thinking back, she was all the things that truly mattered: vocal when her voice was needed, gracious, strong, and focused on making a difference for women. It is a treasured memory of time with an icon.
We live in a time where in the blink of a moment, the status quo can immeasurably change. Just going to sleep and awaking the next day is a blessing and a challenge all in the same moment. But we have a legacy and a path that has been forged by women who not only blazed the trail but came back to make sure others could find the way. At IWF-DC, the legacy of RBG places a torch in each of our hands so that we can lead others onward. We will all strive to be known as a ‘notorious’ woman.
Kim
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Carla Reid
New Member
WSSC Water General Manager and CEO Carla A. Reid is the first woman to serve in this capacity at the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Reid is a civil engineer and senior executive with more than 30 years of business and leadership experience in the public sector.
As GM/CEO, Reid leads the 100-year-strong water utility, the largest in Maryland, in all aspects of business. On a daily basis, she provides oversight for an operating budget of $817 million and a capital budget of
$638 million for fiscal responsibility and efficiency. Operational oversight includes finance, supply chain management, infrastructure systems maintenance, engineering and construction services, resource recovery processes, environmental stewardship, government and community relations, customer service, as well as EEOC and diversity initiatives. Reid’s three guiding principles - Simplify, Focus and Connect – set the tone to inspire a diverse workforce to become THE world-class provider of safe, clean water and essential wastewater services. She fosters a culture of innovation, and strives to form long-lasting partnerships with businesses, environmental advocates and community leaders to strengthen WSSC Water’s brand and reputation.Reid began her 20-year career at WSSC Water as a civil engineer, ultimately serving as Deputy General Manager. In addition, Reid served as Chief of Mission Support, Chief of Customer Care, Meter Services Division Manager, Northern Meter Operations Section Head, Meter Maintenance Head and Field Operations Supervisor.
Prior to re-joining WSSC Water, Reid served the communities of Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland. She held leadership positions working for Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett and Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III.
Reid earned a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Howard University and a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from University of Maryland University College. She serves as a board member of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, Prince George’s County Workforce Development Board and the Prince George’s Chamber of Commerce and is an active member in the community. A true champion of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education, Reid also advocates for programming that increases the number of girls and other under-represented groups in these disciplines. In recognition of her professional achievement, community leadership and mentoring, Reid was named one of The Daily Record’s 2019 Top 100 Women.
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About Membership
Membership is by invitation only, and prospective members are nominated by existing members. Invitation for membership is extended to those women who have achieved success in their chosen field and whose interests are aligned with the objectives of the Forum. A prospective member is recognized as a leader in her field both inside and outside her own organization. The Forum strives for diversity of membership in many areas including field of expertise, ethnicity, age, and public, private and non-profit companies and organizations.