Six Women Honored by County Commission for Women's History Month

Six Women Honored by County Commission for Women’s History Month

(Oakland County, March 21, 2025)

Oakland County, MI – Coach. Business owner. Volunteer. City leader. Mother. Trailblazer. These are just some of the important roles a group of recently recognized Oakland County women hold. The Oakland County Board of Commissioners’ Women’s History Month Awards highlight the often-unnoticed accomplishments of women in our communities. Every year since 2022, 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 18 meeting, commissioners presented awards to this year’s honorees.

Tanesha Stephens

Tanesha Stephens, nominated by Commissioner Angela Powell (District 9) – Currently residing in Auburn Hills, Stephens is the youth recreation and enrichment manager for Pontiac but has also been a small business owner for 16 years. Her organization, Quest Athletics, is a national championship program that provides recreational and training opportunities in cheerleading, dance gymnastics, stunts and jumps for athletes of all ages. She is also the program director in cheer, dance and tumbling for the Oakland County Sheriff’s PAL program and is a registered national official. Beyond her professional achievements, Stephens dedicates time and energy to supporting youth mentorship and the Greater Pontiac Community Coalition.

Deborah L. Macon

Deborah L. Macon, nominated by Vice Chair Marcia Gershenson (District 11) – A resident of West Bloomfield Township, Macon has been a dedicated and active volunteer in public education and civic issues for four decades. She has served in leadership roles at the local, state, and national levels, where she ~~strongly~~ advocated for youth and women’s issues. Her experience led her to become the first Black person elected to the Bloomfield Hills Board of Education and the West Bloomfield Board of Trustees. Macon also served as co-convener of the Birmingham Race Relations and Diversity Task Force, and as the president of the Greater West Bloomfield Community Coalition.

Two women stand together holding a plaque.

Bonnie Swope

Bonnie Swope, nominated by Commissioner Penny Luebs (District 2) – Hailing from Clawson, Swope has been a community leader and entrepreneur in the community for many years. She is a creative artist who shares her skills with civic and nonprofit groups, helping them achieve their goals and highlight their offerings in the best possible light. She owns Pop-up Art Studio, which specializes in art classes, design, screen printing, decals, embroidery and more. In addition, Swope is an enthusiastic, supporter of Clawson businesses, residents and city events that showcase the “Little City with a Big Heart.”

Allyson Bettis

Allyson Bettis, nominated by Commissioner Linnie Taylor (District 18) – A Southfield resident for 33 years, Bettis is a highly educated and accomplished finance and taxation professional. With an MBA and decades of treasury and clerk experience with many local municipalities, including Oak Park and Southfield, Bettis has overseen the work of numerous staff and managed millions of dollars of tax collection. She is the recipient of several national accreditations, including Certified Municipal Finance Administrator, Certified Government Financial Manager and Certified Municipal Clerk. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a dedicated volunteer in her community. She serves on Southfield’s Burgh Pointe Neighborhood Association and gives her time to the Literacy Volunteers of America Detroit.

Leslye Harelik-Richie

Leslye Harelik-Richie (not pictured), nominated by Commissioner Yolanda Smith Charles (District 17) – Harelik-Richie is a true unsung hero in Oak Park and has served in many capacities over the years, including: as the treasurer and vice president on the Oak Park Library Board; as a board member with Oak Park Youth Assistance; as president of the Oak Park Historical Society; and as chair of the Oak Park Dog Park Committee. Her commitment serves as an inspiration to us all.

Melissa Marsh

Melissa Marsh, nominated by Commissioner Ann Erickson Gault (District 3) and co-presented with Commissioner Michael Spisz (District 5) – A Rochester Hills resident, Marsh currently serves as the city manager of Madison Heights. An exceptional public servant with a deep commitment to her community, she joined Madison Heights in 2005 as the finance director/treasurer and became the city manager in 2018. She is only the second woman in the city’s 70-year history to hold the position. As city manager, Marsh has worked closely with Oakland County Parks to expand and improve recreational opportunities, including the conversion of the former Ambassador Park to the new Red Oaks County Park.

Marsh 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.

To learn more about the Women’s History Month Awards, check out the Board’s Facebook post.

Women’s History Month also provides an opportunity to spotlight the accomplishments of our female Board members and staff: