Hanover Woman Receives Award for Humanitarian Service

Dana Herbert, of Hanover, recently received the prestigious Fannie Lou Hamer Humanitarian Award in a ceremony held at St. John’s College in Annapolis.

Herbert was among six women honored this year; another recipient was Maryland's First Lady, Judge Katie O'Malley.

The award is named for the late feminist and civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer, who spoke at the 1964 National Democratic Convention "regarding the voting rights of African Americans being abridged by southern law-enforcement officials," according to a statement from St. John's College.

Herbert is a graduate of Westmar College in Iowa, where she received a bachelor of science degree in biology and history. Her career has been varied. She worked as a chemistry lab technician at the former Baltimore City Hospitals (1970–1980); for the Defense Department in Japan (1980–1984); and for the National Security Agency, Ft. George G. Meade, as an administrative technician (1984–2002). She is presently employed by the Anne Arundel County Board of Education as a home teacher. In addition, she privately tutors students.

Over the years, Herbert has been responsible for awarding approximately 75 scholarships to high school graduates through several charitable funds.

As chair of the David W. Tomaszewski Committee, Herbert oversees an annual art auction to sponsor the David W. Tomaszewski Memorial Scholarship, which is presented to graduates of Meade and Old Mill High Schools. The committee also sponsors the Paul Hayden Community Service Memorial Scholarship. 

Under the former Jessup Teen Venture, which she chaired for a decade, Herbert gave the youth a drug-free environment in which to socialize. Through fundraising efforts, the Teen Venture sponsored the April Horn-Hallet Memorial Community Service Scholarship as well as the Julia S. Stafford Memorial Scholastic Scholarship.

The local school libraries have also benefited from Herbert’s efforts. She has chaired numerous fundraisers to purchase library books for Jessup and Southgate Elementary Schools as well as Meade and MacArthur Middle Schools. In addition, Meade High School received $10,000 worth of reference books raised by the Jessup Teen Venture by working the non-profit stand at Camden Yards. Herbert established the Matthew and Jennifer Edwards’ Equipment and Van Fund to aid the twins who suffer from cerebral palsy.

Herbert's impact on the lives of the youth and schools will be felt for years to come. Like Fannie Lou Hamer, she is determined to make a difference in her community.

A strong advocate of education, Herbert recently set up the Alvera Miller Community Service Memorial Scholarship; Miller was President of the Jessup Improvement Association (JIA) when she passed away in January of this year.

Herbert is the current secretary of the JIA, chairs the Ways and Means Committee and handles public relations and the hall rental. She chaired the “Meet the Candidates” forum for JIA in 2002, 2006 and 2010.

Dana Herbert is married to Richard E. Herbert. Their son, Jason, is a local entrepreneur.