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Anita Light’s decades of work on behalf of children, families and older adults earned her Fairfax City’s 2025 Woman of Influence Award.

Light received a crystal statuette from Mayor Catherine Read during an April 8 ceremony in City Council Chambers attended by her family, friends and colleagues. Presented annually by the Fairfax City Commission for Women, the award recognizes one or two city residents who have made a significant difference in their community.

Light, a Fairfax resident since 2001, is a principal and vice president of Light Leadership Group, which advises for-profit and nonprofit organizations. She previously spent 18 years as deputy director of the American Public Human Services Association after working on public child-welfare and juvenile issues.

Her experience also includes leadership with the American Association of University Women, 12 years in human resources and service on the city’s Human Services Committee and Fairfax County’s Long Term Care Committee.

Light now chairs the Fairfax Village in the City Advisory Board, an organization that helps older residents remain safely in their homes. She has been involved with the program since its beginning and previously served four years on the Coordinating Council on Aging and Adults with Disabilities, where she worked to reduce isolation among older adults and people with disabilities.

Commission for Women member Brenda Kuhlman described Light as a longtime leader whose skills have benefited the region.

Read said Light’s career reflects the compassion common among people drawn to human services. She noted that Light began by caring for children and juveniles before turning her attention to residents at the later stages of life.

“You ensure that they’re safe, can stay in their homes and are supported by their community,” Read told her.

The mayor also praised Fairfax Village in the City and the city’s decision to invest in services that allow residents to remain at home for as long as possible. She credited Light, Village coordinator Jason Scadron and the advisory board for building the program.

Light said the honor recognized not only her work but also the many people serving alongside her through the Village and the Human Services Committee.

“There’s so much work that’s been done by women here, and we’re a great community because of that,” she said. “So I’m honored to be part of the Women of Influence club.”

A career that shifted with life experience

Light began her career as a social worker focused on direct services for children and families. She later moved into national policy and practice work.

As she approached retirement age, watching her mother manage her home, health and social life changed Light’s perspective. The experience convinced her that communities needed to pay closer attention to what older residents require to remain in their homes.

Her volunteer work on the Human Services Committee led Human Services Director Lesley Abashian to recruit her for the Coordinating Council on Aging and Adults with Disabilities. Light later joined other committees before accepting a place on the Village steering committee and eventually leading its advisory board.

She credited former Women of Influence honorees Carolyn Sutterfield and Janice Miller with providing the early vision for the Village and encouraging the City Council to support it. The organization has grown to 120 members and 60 volunteers, with professional support from Abashian and Scadron.

Village volunteers drive members to medical appointments, grocery stores, banks and beauty salons. They also rake leaves, shovel snow and help seniors use computers.

Light said the gratitude expressed by members demonstrates the program’s impact. One member told the organization they would not still be here without the Village.

“We’re doing good work and it’s very important,” Light said.

Read also recognized Light’s husband, Mark, for supporting her extensive community involvement. Light thanked him for listening and offering advice, and said her children, Joseph and Meg, their spouses and her four grandchildren continue to shape her outlook on life.

Before accepting the award, Light thanked the friends, neighbors, colleagues and co-workers who had accompanied her throughout her career and volunteer service.

“It’s been an incredible journey,” she said. “Thank you for going on it with me.”