COCKEYSVILLE RESIDENT RECOGNIZED AS MARITIME WOMAN OF THE YEAR

Baltimore Maritime Community Honors Port Administration’s Norris During 15th Annual Women in Maritime History Event

 (BALTIMORE, MD) – The Women’s History Association, comprised of Port of Baltimore maritime organizations, today named Cockeysville resident Mary Jane Norris of the Maryland Port Administration (MPA) as its Woman of the Year during its 15th Annual Women in Maritime History event at Sparrows Point Country Club in Baltimore.  Each year during the event, the association honors one woman in the maritime industry who has had a tremendous impact on the Port of Baltimore community.

“Mary Jane has been a leader throughout her career with the MPA,” said Chris Correale, co-chair of the Women’s History Association and Principal at EcoLogix Group. “She has been a tremendous problem solver for the Port’s customers and has worked tirelessly over the years to bring parties together to find solutions to shipping problems.”

Ms. Norris, the MPA’s manager of port operations services, has been in the maritime industry for more than 40 years and with MPA for 32 of those years.  She started her career as an accountant at steamship agency Stockard Shipping & Terminal Corporation before working in the traffic department.  From there, she became a line manager representing several steamship lines before beginning employment at the MPA as an assistant manager in the tariffs and national port affairs department.   

Through the years, Ms. Norris has demonstrated her knowledge and skill set for the Port community.  In her current position she acts as a liaison with federal government agencies who have jurisdictional responsibilities with international cargo.   Additionally, Ms. Norris serves on several college boards, is a past chair for the Women in Maritime History event, and works with the federal agency Quality Work Group among many other boards.

“I am overwhelmed with joy,” said Ms. Norris. “I have served on the committee, co-chaired and chaired the Women’s History in Maritime event for several years. This event is near and dear to my heart. We have such a tight-knit -Port community as I feel like I work with family and friends.”

Ms. Norris’s inspiration was Rita Manfuso, corporate secretary for Stockard Shipping & Terminal Corporation. “She was always professional and was my first role model in the maritime community,” said Ms. Norris.

The last MPA employee honored at the event was Barbara McMahon, manager of safety, environment and risk management in 2009. Ms. Norris graduated from the College of Notre Dame Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with an emphasis on marketing. Currently, she resides in Cockeysville with her daughter.

March as Women’s History Month was established as a national proclamation in 1987 in effort to recognize the important contributions and tremendous strides women have made in the United States. 

The Port of Baltimore is ranked as the top port among 360 U.S. ports for handling autos and light trucks, farm and construction machinery, imported forest products, imported sugar, imported aluminum and imported gypsum.  Baltimore ranks second in the U.S. for exported coal.  Overall Baltimore is ranked ninth for the total dollar value of international cargo and 14th for international cargo tonnage.

Business at the Port of Baltimore generates about 14,630 direct jobs, while about 108,000 jobs in Maryland are linked to port activities.  The Port is responsible for $3 billion in personal wages and salary and more than

$300 million in state and local taxes.