As part of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ celebration of Women’s History Month, six residents were recognized during the March 18 Board meeting for the significant contributions they have made within.  their communities.  

“The Women’s History Month Award was established in 2022 to recognize the incredible women in Oakland County who are making a positive impact,” said Commissioner Angela Powell (D-Pontiac). “Now in its fourth year, the Board of Commissioners remains committed to honoring the achievements of these women. The awards shine a light on the many contributions women are making in their communities through their personal and professional accomplishments.”   

The 2025 Women’s History Month Award honorees are:

• Tanesha Stephens – A resident of Auburn Hills, Stephens has dedicated years to guiding Pontiac’s youth, young adults and families as Pontiac youth recreation & enrichment manager. She is also the owner of Quest Athletics; program director in cheer, dance and tumbling for the Oakland County Sheriff’s PAL program; and is a registered national, NAIA collegiate and certified All-Star official, judging different athletic events. She also supports youth mentorship and the mission of the Greater Pontiac Community Coalition and is currently working on an anti-vaping campaign targeted at youth and teens.

• Deborah L. Macon -  A resident of West Bloomfield Township, Macon was the first African American elected to the Bloomfield Hills School Board and the West Bloomfield Board of Trustees; the first African American co-convener of the Birmingham Race  Relations and Diversity Task Force; first president of the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition for Youth; and the first president of the Women Officials Network Foundation. As a consultant for the Michigan Association of School Boards, she trains  and supports elected government leaders.?She served in leadership roles at the local, state and national levels, where she was an advocate for public education and youth and women’s issues.

• Bonnie Swope – A resident of Clawson, Swope is a creative artist who shares her talents with many civic and nonprofit groups. She is the owner of Pop-up Art Studio, which specializes in art classes, design, screen printing, decals, embroidery and  more. She was also the owner of the popular Clawson Makers Market, an establishment that provided a multitude of local artisans and crafters a place to sell their handmade goods, from jewelry and housewares to decor and outdoor art.

• Allyson Bettis – A resident of Southfield, Bettis has decades of treasury and clerk experience with many local municipalities, including Oak Park and Southfield. As city clerk in a neighboring county, she partnered with the local school district  to mentor, train and educate students on the election process. She is the recipient of several national professional accreditations, including Certified Municipal Finance Administrator, Certified Government Financial Manager and Certified Municipal Clerk.?In  addition, she serves on Southfield’s Burgh Pointe Neighborhood Association and volunteers her time to the Literacy Volunteers of America Detroit.

• Leslye Harelik-Richie – A resident of Oak Park, Harelik-Richie has many years of dedicated civic engagement service. She currently serves and has served in many capacities over the years, including as treasurer on the Oak Park Library Board;  as board member with Oak Park Youth Assistance; as vice president of the Oak Park Public Library; as president of the Oak Park Historical Society; and as chair of the Oak Park Dog Park Committee.

• Melissa Marsh – A resident of Rochester Hills, Marsh is currently the Madison Heights city manager, only the second woman in the city’s 70-year history to hold the position. As city manager, she has worked closely with Oakland County Parks to expand and improve recreational opportunities, including the conversion of the former Ambassador Park to a new county Red Oaks Park. She also serves on the Michigan Municipal League’s Legislative Finance Committee and is an active member of the Michigan Municipal Executives (MME), where she recently became president-elect and received the MME’s Community Leadership Award.

For additional information about the Board of Commissioners, visit OakGov.com/BOC.

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