Honorees (above, left to right):  U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin; State Senator Verna Jones (D-44); Delegate Sheila Hixson (D-20); Dr. Ngoc Chu, Co-Chair, Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats of Maryland; Meg Gage, President & Exec. Director, Proteus Fund (who was unable to attend); Joseph Hansen, International President, United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW); and PM star canvasser Barry Hale. See more photos and videos of the award recipients and others below and in the Gala program PDF along with bios, ads and more.
 

U.S. Senator Benjamin Cardin celebrates the evening with his wife Myrna (left side) before receiving Progressive Maryland's top award from Board President Elbridge James (right)

Sen. Verna Jones (D-44) addresses the audience then rejoins her husband Dr. Gary Rodwell during the rest of the presentations

Del. Sheila Hixson (D-20) speaks after receiving her plaque from James

Members of the Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats of Maryland cheer their Co-Chair, Dr. Ngoc Chu.

UFCW International President Joseph T. Hansen speaks, after which Vincent Demarco of the Maryland Health Care for All Coalition presents him a jar of his family's special recipe pasta sauce, as James looks on

Longtime PM canvasser (3-year) Barry Hale inspires attendees with his passion for bringing about political change -- one door at a time, before receiving his plaque from PM Executive Director Dobson

Among the hundreds attending were dozens of lawmakers, grassroots leaders, and public officials including Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot, sitting just left of Sean Dobson (above, center bottom). Senator Ben Cardin praised Progressive Maryland in this video shot before the ceremony (right).

Baltimore's historic Hippodrome Theatre provided an elegant backdrop for the Gala (above). Members of Congress who attended included U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes (MD-3, not pictured here) and U.S. Rep. Dutch Ruppersberger (MD-2) who shared impressions about Progressive Maryland's work (video at right).

Mayor Sheila Dixon welcomes Gala attendees to Baltimore (above). Fox-45 TV covered the event and broadcast a report interviewing PM Baltimore Regional Director Matthew Weinstein and Del. Sheila Hixson (video right).

Del. Tom Hucker shares a light moment with senior PM staff Adam Bauer and Ed Reagan (above). Del. John Cardin (D-11) was pleased to attend the event honoring his uncle and other outstanding leaders (video at right).

Bebe Verdery, Director of ACLU's Maryland Education Reform Project, converses with Center for Emerging Media's President Marc Steiner during the reception (above). Del. Roger Manno (D-19) expresses optimism about the upcoming legislative session (video at right).