Perry Hall Resident Named Baltimore County's 'Woman Of The Year'

PERRY HALL, MD — The Baltimore County Commission for Women hosted an awards ceremony this week to present the title of Woman of the Year to a female in Baltimore County who has improved the lives of women and children.

Perry Hall resident Kelli Szczybor received the title of Woman of the Year for 2017.

Szczybor was selected for the recognition due to her vision and leadership in founding Angel Park, according to a statement from Baltimore County.

Angel Park, which opened on Honeygo Boulevard at the end of October, was designed to be the largest, most accessible playground in the Baltimore region for children with special needs.

Szczybor had been working to bring the park to fruition since 2012, in honor of her son Ryan, who died in 1998 as a baby from leukemia.

“When you lose a child, you are just looking for something to help them live on and to help your family to heal,” Szczybor said.

The 16,000-square-foot park is surrounded by pickets and pavers where donors can memorialize those they consider to be angels.

Related: Angel Park Opens In Perry Hall

More than 4,000 community members volunteered to build the park on Honeygo Boulevard over the summer.

"...Angel Park became more than a playground, it became a symbol of community togetherness and love," according to a statement from Baltimore County. "Since the official opening in October 2016, thousands of smiles and memories have been shared at Angel Park."

Szczybor was officially deemed Woman of the Year in a March 28 ceremony at the historic courthouse in Towson. County council members and other elected officials were in attendance, as well as members of the Baltimore County Commission for Women.

Photo courtesy of Baltimore County.