CNN’s Soledad O’Brien Honored For Leadership

Crittenton Services, a Silver Spring-based company, celebrated 124 years of promoting healthy development of teens by recognizing four distinguished women for their leadership Wednesday at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington, DC.

This year’s honorees included Soledad O’Brien, co-founder of the Soledad O’Brien and Brad Raymond Foundation and host of Starting Point with Soledad O’Brien; Linda Gooden, Executive Vice President at Lockheed Martin; Deborah Taylor Tate, ITU Special Envoy and Laureate for Child Online Protection and Former FCC Commissioner; and Marlen Esparza, National Boxing Champion and 2012 Olympic Hopeful.

The honor was given for their demonstrated leadership, commitment and dedication to making a difference in the lives of women and girls. O'Brien received the legacy award for education, Gooden received the legacy award for Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math, Tate received the legacy award for advocacy, and Esparza received the "Bright Light Youth Award."

“The honorees are incredible role models for the girls Crittenton serves. From the foundation co-founded by O’Brien to the Math and Science Academy founded by Gooden to the fight against negative image of women and girls in the media, each of these amazing women is a true example of determination, empowerment and leadership,” Pamela Jones, president and CEO, Crittenton Services, said.

Comcast and Lockheed Martin were among the top sponsors for this year’s event.