Celebrating Women's History Month - A Century of Impact: Women Who Shaped the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce

---

When the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1926, Bethesda was still growing into the thriving business and civic center it is today. Over the decades, the Chamber has served as a steady force, supporting local businesses, advocating for smart development, and helping shape the identity of the community.
​
As the Chamber celebrates our 100th anniversary, it is also a moment to reflect on the people who helped carry it forward. Among them are the women whose leadership, determination, and vision helped transform not only the Chamber itself, but the broader Greater Bethesda business community.
​
For much of the Chamber’s early history, leadership roles reflected the norms of the time: they were overwhelmingly held by men. Women were active in business, of course, but their presence at the highest levels of civic and economic leadership was often overlooked or delayed.
That began to change in meaningful ways in the late 20th century.

One of the earliest signs of this shift came in the late 1980s, when Dee Carl Metz became the first women to serve as Chair of the Board. Soon after, more women followed into the chair role, including Carol A. Trawick who helped cement women’s leadership at the highest levels of the Chamber. Their leadership represented more than a term in office - they marked a turning point. They signaled that the Chamber was beginning to reflect the full strength of its community, including the women who were building businesses, leading organizations, and contributing to Bethesda’s growth.
From that point forward, women’s leadership within the Chamber became less of an exception and more of an emerging tradition.

In the years that followed, women continued stepping into roles that shaped the Chamber’s direction and influence. Each chair brought a new perspective, guiding the organization through changing economic landscapes and the evolving needs of local businesses.

By the early 2000s, women were not only participating, but they were also leading consistently. Chairs such as Lilliam L. Machado, Michele H. Cornwell, and Anne Martin Mead helped guide the Chamber into a new era, one shaped by regional growth, expanding membership, and deeper community engagement.
 
As Bethesda continued to develop, so did the Chamber’s role. It became not just a place for business networking, but a platform for advocacy, partnership, and long-term vision. Women leaders were central to that evolution.

Through the 2010s, women like Leslie Ford Weber, Heather Dlhopolsky, Melanie Falstad, and Jane Fairweather chaired the Chamber during years of major change, supporting businesses through economic shifts, new development conversations, and a rapidly changing regional economy.
​
Then came the unprecedented challenges of the early 2020s. As businesses navigated uncertainty, the Chamber relied on steady leadership and strong community connection. Women such as Anna Behnam helped steer GBCC through this period, reinforcing the Chamber’s mission to support and advocate for its members.

Today, leaders like Monique Sanfuentes and Verelyn Gibbs Watson continue that legacy, representing a Chamber that is more inclusive, dynamic, and reflective of the community it serves.
What stands out most across this century-long story is not simply a list of names or years, but the arc of progress it represents.

Women helped move the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce forward, bringing new voices into leadership, strengthening ties between business and community, and ensuring that the Chamber remained responsive in moments of growth and in moments of challenge.

As GBCC recognizes its 100-year milestone, these women are part of the Chamber’s foundation and its future. Their leadership reminds us that the story of Greater Bethesda’s business community is not complete without recognizing the women who helped shape it - one term, one decision, and one generation at a time.

JOIN GBCC'S WOMEN'S NETWORKING GROUP FOR A SPECIAL MEETING HONORING
WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH: 
Women's Networking Group Presents: From Launch to Legacy Panel & Networking Event
Register HERE to attend!

---