Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Maria V. Navarro, Ed.D., joined representatives from the Charles County Branch of the NAACP and the Charles County Department of Health to accept recognition for their collaborative efforts on the Charles County Healthy Kids Initiative. The group received the Dr. William Montague Cobb Award from the NAACP at its national convention in July in Charlotte, N.C. The award highlights significant contributions to health through social justice advocacy, health education and promotion, and health fundraising and research.
Presented by the NAACP National Health Committee, the Dr. William Montague Cobb Award honors the legacy of Dr. W. Montague Cobb, who served as NAACP president from 1976 to 1983 and was a pioneering figure in addressing health disparities. Cobb, the first African American to earn a Ph.D. in physical anthropology in the United States, used science to combat racism in medicine and advocated for equitable health care. Recipients included Dyotha Sweat, president of the Charles County NAACP; her grandson, Cyrus; Jeri Farrar, D.B.A., the branch’s health chair; Angela Clark, treasurer; and Dr. Dianna Abney, health officer for the Charles County Department of Health.
The Charles County Healthy Kids Initiative, launched in 2022, focuses on introducing children to healthy eating and exercise habits to support lifelong well-being. A key achievement was spearheading local legislation that requires chain restaurants to offer at least one healthy meal and drink option on children’s menus. The Charles County Commissioners passed Bill 2023-09 on January 9, 2024, making Charles County the third in the nation to enact such comprehensive standards for kids’ meals. The law mandates healthier default beverages, such as water or milk without added sugars, within 12 months of passage, and at least one full meal meeting nutrition guidelines within 18 months. Parents can still request alternatives, but the default promotes better choices to reduce risks of diet-related issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
“We can do whatever we need to do when we bring the right people to the table,” Sweat said when receiving the award. “We were able to pass this bill in less than one year.” Sweat, who has led the Charles County NAACP since 2019, emphasized community collaboration in her role as a longtime advocate for civil rights and public health in the region.
The initiative aligns with broader efforts to address childhood obesity in Charles County, where recent assessments show about 15 percent of high school students are obese, with rates slightly higher among males at 17.2 percent compared to 13.8 percent for females. Adult obesity stands at 41.6 percent, exceeding the national average of 37.4 percent, highlighting the need for early interventions. Statewide, Maryland ranks 28th in child health indicators, with 36 percent of youths aged 10 to 17 classified as overweight in 2022. In Southern Maryland, where communities like Waldorf and La Plata are familiar with local health challenges, such programs aim to leverage familiar landmarks like schools and community centers for education.
Collaborators include the American Heart Association and the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which supported the bill’s development. The Center for Science in the Public Interest noted that similar laws in Prince George’s County (passed in 2020), Montgomery County (2022), and Baltimore (2018) set precedents, positioning Maryland as a leader in improving restaurant options for families.
Navarro, along with the representatives, accepted a proclamation at a Charles County Commissioners’ meeting designating October as National Children’s Health Month. “When a young person makes the decision to opt for healthy meals and take part in physical activities, they are making the decision to invest in their health and wellbeing,” Navarro said. As superintendent since 2021, Navarro has prioritized student wellness, including expanding free breakfast programs and community partnerships in Charles County Public Schools.
Events like the annual Healthy Kids Fun Fest, held in October 2023 at North Point High School, exemplify the initiative’s outreach. Organized by Charles County Public Schools, the NAACP branch, and partners, the fest featured free fruit samples, physical activities, and tips on healthy dining, drawing families to celebrate children’s health month. Such gatherings build on procedural steps like public hearings for the bill, where commissioners considered amendments to beverage options and portion sizes for fruits and vegetables, reducing unfried produce requirements from one-half cup to one-quarter cup to ease implementation.
Dr. Abney, a pediatrician who has served as health officer since 2020 with prior experience in child abuse prevention, underscored the initiative’s role in preventive care. The Charles County Department of Health continues to monitor compliance, with restaurants given time to adjust menus.
This recognition underscores ongoing work in Southern Maryland to tackle health disparities. With Charles County’s population relying on local eateries and schools for daily nutrition, the Charles County Healthy Kids Initiative provides a model for integrating policy, education, and community action. Future plans may include expanded school-based health services and more events to sustain momentum.
