2025 Inductees
Delaware Women’s Hall of Fame
Valerie Biden Owens
Valerie Biden Owens successfully ran a presidential campaign — that of her brother, Joseph R. Biden, Jr. She also led his seven straight U.S. Senate victories and has been his principal surrogate on the campaign trail.
Valerie is Chair of the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware and a partner at Owens Patrick Leadership Seminars. Valerie sits on the Advisory Board of the Beau Biden Foundation for the Protection of Children. For 20 years, when Valerie was not managing or advising President Biden’s campaigns, she served as Executive Vice President of Joe Slade White & Co., a media consulting firm. She has worked extensively with Women’s Campaign International, teaching women how to organize and develop communication and political skills. Valerie has also served on the National Board of the Women’s Leadership Forum of the Democratic National Committee and has served for 35 years on the board of The Ministry of Caring.
In 2015, Valerie delivered the keynote address for Harvard Law School’s International Women’s Day celebration and was one of 50 women presented with the law school’s international "Women Inspiring Change" award. In 2021, she was named to the Forbes 50 Over 50 Women Who Are Leading the Way in Impact list.
She is a graduate of the University of Delaware. She is married to Jack Owens, an attorney and businessman. They have three children.
Claire DeMatteis
Claire is a Delaware attorney with more than 30 years of experience in corporate law, data and privacy protection, health care law, regulatory affairs, and congressional and government affairs. She served 8 years in Delaware Governor Carney's Administration as a member of his Cabinet.
On January 6, 2025, the Governor awarded Claire the Order of the First State, which is the state's highest honor. As the State's Chief People Officer, she oversaw employment, recruitment, labor relations, compensation, classification, benefits, merit procedures and policies for more than 16,000 state employees. In 2021, Governor Carney tapped DeMatteis' strategic and compliance expertise and deep knowledge of federal and state governments to lead the coordination of millions of dollars in federal stimulus and COVID relief funds the state received for pandemic response and economic stabilization.
Previously, DeMatteis was nominated by Governor Carney and confirmed by the Delaware Senate in June 2019, to serve as Commissioner of the Department of Correction (DOC), the state's largest law enforcement agency. She was the first woman to lead Delaware's correctional system, with the dual mission of public safety and offender rehabilitation. In 2017, she was appointed as the Governor's special assistant to the Department of Correction following a riot and murder of a correctional officer in the state's maximum-security prison, and within one year worked with the DOC team to implement reforms.
Charlotte King
Charlotte is the Founder, Chair for its first eight years, and Board Member as Chair Emeritus of the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice. A graduate of St John's College Annapolis. Fordham University School of Social Work. She is a LCSW and retired Social Service Administrator.
Charlotte is also a Former President of the Delaware League of Women Voters (2 terms) and she was a Member of the Delaware Commission for Women for over four years. She served on many community boards/commissions including First State Community Action Agency, Lewes Historical Society, West Rehoboth Trust, Women's March Sussex County, The Way Home, Speak Out Against Hate, Nassau School Coalition, and Community Minority Liaison Commission for the Cape Henlopen School District and the Delaware Criminal Justice Council.
Charlotte also provided mental health services to children and families served by Delaware Guidance for Children. She also volunteered in many organizations including Beebe Healthcare, St Peter's Lewes, St George's Chapel, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters. She has been honored by receiving the Kandler Award by Delaware ACLU, Jefferson Award, Common Cause Award, and Mitchell Award by Stonewell Chapter Sussex County. Honorary Commander of State Police Troop 7.
Charlotte Miller-Lacy
Charlotte Miller-Lacy is a passionate, purpose-driven entrepreneur, visionary leader, author, and speaker. She is the Founder and National Executive Director of I Am My Sister’s Keeper (IAMMSK) and the MSK Community Center. Founded in Wilmington, Delaware in 2015, IAMMSK is a collective of diverse women dedicated to guiding girls and women through holistic programs that foster responsibility, resilience, and respect. With chapters in Dover, Milford, and Chester, PA, IAMMSK has supported thousands through mentorship, travel, and socio-economic resources.
In 2022, Charlotte launched the MSK Community Center in Wilmington’s Hedgeville neighborhood, which also serves as IAMMSK’s National Headquarters. It provides a safe haven and hub of programs focused on education, wellness, and life skills for all ages. Together, IAMMSK and MSK bridge the gap between home, school, and community through strong partnerships and volunteers.
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.
Charlotte is a devoted wife to David L. Lacy for 25 years, proud mother of six, and grandmother of ten. Fondly known in her community as "Momma Lacy," she is cherished for her nurturing spirit and dedication to lifting others up. Her journey is guided by five core principles: Faith, Family, Friends, Persistence, and a Positive Attitude. Charlotte’s enduring legacy is seen in the countless young women and men who return to IAMMSK and the MSK Community Center as volunteers and staff–continuing the cycle of giving back and strengthening their community.
