(LEFT) Vital Anne, Commissioner Ann Erickson Gault, Kai Lisa Anderson, Commissioner Linnie Taylor, Rosa Randolph and Commissioner Angela Powell at the presentation of the Board’s Women’s History Month Awards March 14, 2024.
For the past three years, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners has highlighted the exemplary contributions and achievements of local women with its Women’s History Month Award. Commissioners nominate an exceptional woman making a historic impact in their respective districts for this honor as part of the Board’s celebration of Women’s History Month in March.
During the Board’s March 14 meeting, commissioners presented award certificates to this year’s honorees:
- Kai Lisa Anderson, nominated by Commissioner Linnie Taylor (District 18) – Ms. Anderson is an entrepreneur, mentor, small business owner and resident of Southfield. For more than 30 years, she has owned and operated Shiek Unique, a full-service hair and nail salon in her home city. Knowledgeable and experienced, she serves as a resource to other budding entrepreneurs as they launch their own businesses.
- Vital Anne, nominated by Commissioner Ann Erickson Gault (District 3) – A resident of Troy for two decades, Ms. Anne made local history in February 2020 as the first immigrant and first person of South Asian descent to serve on the Troy School District Board of Education. Following that appointment, she went on to win her seat through a citywide election and currently serves as the board’s vice president. She is the vice president of software quality assurance and testing at Altair, where she also serves as president of the company’s Women in Tech Employee Resource Group.
- Rosa Randolph, nominated by Commissioner Angela Powell (District 9) – With more than four decades of experience in food management service, Ms. Randolph is a resident of Pontiac, a minority business owner and the president of Unique Food Management. The full-service catering business in Pontiac prepares and delivers over 25,000 meals per week. She is also the founder and program director of the Pontiac Meals on Wheels Foundation and supports food programs for students to ensure they receive meals during the summer months when school is not in session.
The awards presentation also followed International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8. IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.
Specific statistics related to the Board of Commissioners and women include:
- 53% of commissioners are women
- Women hold 45% of committee leadership roles
- 79% of Board staff is comprised of women
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