2025 Delaware Women Hall of Fame Inductees: Claire DeMatteis and Charlotte King
DELAWARE – Delaware Governor Matt Meyer has announced the 2025 Women’s Hall of Fame inductees. Established in 1981, the Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame is one of the longest-running celebrations for the achievements of outstanding Delaware women, and their contributions to communities across the state.
Claire DeMatteis
Advisor, Attorney, and Advocate. Three words that describe 2025 Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee Claire DeMatteis. “To have this honor, all you can think about, honestly, are the people that paved the way.”
Currently, the president of Global Kompass Strategies, she’s honored to be inducted. As the first woman to lead the Delaware Department of Correction, this award didn’t come lightly.
“To go into an organization like that, that had some pretty dark days just before I got there with the riot and the murder of the corrections officer, and then to build the trust among the team, and among the officers, and within a year, implement 41 reforms, that strengthened the organization.”
This was one of the highlights of her career, and being a woman in a male-dominated field has pushed her even further. “I’m grateful for all the women in my life, starting with my mom, and my sisters, and my friends, I’ve had some tremendous female mentors throughout my career and I’m conscious to pass that on, but I do want to note that I’ve had some pretty special male bosses, who didn’t believe in any sort of a barrier based on gender, and really gave me some tough and important assignments.”
Claire reminds us to never forget about the little victories and that conversations change morale. “Take on the tough assignments, get yourself out of your comfort zone. Know your skills and know what’s important to you, and have empathy for the people that you serve, and your co-workers.”
Her message, take the time to build relationships. Claire isn’t the only one making changes in Delaware.
Charlotte Miller-Lacy
Founder and National Executive Director of I AM My Sister’s Keeper Inductee Charlotte Miller-Lacy, is known as a community game changer as well. Charlotte’s impact has earned her numerous honors, including the 2025 Delaware Online Most Influential in Community Impact, 2024 High Impact Leadership Award, and President Joe Biden’s 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award for over 4,000 hours of service.
Governor Matt Meyer
When selecting these prestigious women to be honored, Governor Matt Meyer said in part, “Their impact is felt across the state – in our communities, in public service, and in the lives they’ve touched. We’re proud to honor their legacy and thank them for their continued leadership.”
Charlotte King
Advocate, Activist, and Ally. These are three words that describe 2025 Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee Charlotte King. “Being recognized was not my goal. Having an impact on divisiveness, on racial tensions, on injustices, was truly my passion.”
She started the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice in 2015 to face discrimination in the justice system. As a former social worker, she’s fighting for equality isn’t something special, but something we should all do.
“I’ve worked with so many segments of humanity during my years as a social worker, I had to face those injustices… I began to understand what we need to do, people on their own can’t lift themselves up by their bootstraps if they don’t have shoes.”
Education is their main goal, and during Charlotte’s journey, she’s had the chance to educate and be enlightened. “I’ve learned so much. I’m ashamed to admit that some of the things that I’ve talked about or that I brought awareness to such as Black Wall Street, I didn’t know about. I didn’t learn about Black Wall Street.”
She says you should never stop being a student. “So many people come in and say, ‘Oh thank you, I’m no longer racist, now I understand everything.” And I’m like, no, no, no. I began the process; it is a lifelong process. Until the day you die, you must be a student.”
A process Charlotte dedicated over 60 years her life for. Charlotte’s word of advice, work towards a better future. “I am humbled, I am so thankful, to have not me recognized, because I thinks what’s being recognized is the work. And the work is done by many people who belong to the alliance, and I thought- ‘This is saying racial justice work is important!”
Click here for more information on the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice. Charlotte isn’t the last advocate being awarded, but all 4 women all have one thing in common, the urge to serve.
Valerie Biden Owens
Inductee Valerie Biden Owens is a national advocate for women’s leadership and public service. She successfully ran her brother’s presidential campaign, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. She also led his seven straight U.S. Senate victories and has been his principal surrogate on the campaign trail.
Inductees will be recognized at the 44th Annual Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony this fall.
