Giving Circles in N.J. Payout $3.48 Million
January/24/20 12:12 Filed in: In the News
The NonProfit Times News January 27, 2020
More than 1,100 New Jersey women have joined one of the four women’s giving circles hosted by The Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ) and have made nearly $3.5 million in philanthropic gifts.
Through Impact 100 Essex, Impact 100 Garden State, Impact 100 Jersey Coast, and Impact 100 South Jersey, 1,100 New Jersey women have made 40 grants to nonprofits totaling $3,488,500. Most grants were for more than $100,000, with some smaller awards to additional finalists, according to an announcement from CFNJ. The foundation has $460 million in assets.
Impact 100 Garden State was founded in 2013, with 135 women joining together to make one $135,000 grant. Now in its seventh year, Impact 100 Garden State, led by president Merle Johnson, has more than doubled in size with 346 members who have granted more than $1,697,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties to date.
“The concept for Impact 100 was and remains simple,” said Carole Rogers, who first brought the Impact 100 idea to the Garden State. “When we approached the Community Foundation of New Jersey in late 2012 to launch the state’s first Impact 100, the idea was for 100 women to each contribute $1,000 to the fund, which would then solicit applications from nonprofit organizations and hold a vote to select one grant recipient for that year’s total amount of funds.”
Impact 100 Jersey Coast, the state’s second chapter, was launched in 2016 and has granted a total of $1,167,000 to projects in Monmouth County in its first four years. “The growth has been astonishing,” said Heather Burke, co-founder of Impact 100 Jersey Coast. “Impact has resonated with hundreds of women from all walks of life in our community and has touched the lives of many thousands more through the projects we have supported with our shared dollars. The story we are telling throughout our state offers a new model of philanthropy and collective action.”
Impact 100 Essex was founded the following year and will have granted out more than $395,500 in Essex County by the end of this month. “We revel in the collaboration of the engaged and diverse women of Essex County and the many inspiring local non-profits working to make our communities stronger, safer and more just,” said Margo Greenfield, who is a co-convenor of Impact 100 Essex.
Impact 100 South Jersey, founded in 2017 through the Community Foundation of South Jersey, has granted a total of $229,000 across Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties.
“We saw the vitality of the Impact 100 model across the Delaware River in Philadelphia, and we knew that we wanted our own giving circle supporting organizations in need in this southern part of the state, which doesn’t always get the same attention,” said Kyle Ruffin, one of the five founding members of Impact100 South Jersey.
“We are beyond inspired by the more than 1,100 women from across the state who have stepped up, formed strong associations, and are learning about and investing in nonprofit partners who are leading change in their communities,” said Margarethe Laurenzi, chief philanthropic officer at the Community Foundation. “Collaborating with and supporting these Impact 100 women to help them make their philanthropic vision a reality is especially rewarding for the Community Foundation.”
More than 1,100 New Jersey women have joined one of the four women’s giving circles hosted by The Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ) and have made nearly $3.5 million in philanthropic gifts.
Through Impact 100 Essex, Impact 100 Garden State, Impact 100 Jersey Coast, and Impact 100 South Jersey, 1,100 New Jersey women have made 40 grants to nonprofits totaling $3,488,500. Most grants were for more than $100,000, with some smaller awards to additional finalists, according to an announcement from CFNJ. The foundation has $460 million in assets.
Impact 100 Garden State was founded in 2013, with 135 women joining together to make one $135,000 grant. Now in its seventh year, Impact 100 Garden State, led by president Merle Johnson, has more than doubled in size with 346 members who have granted more than $1,697,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Morris, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, and Union counties to date.
“The concept for Impact 100 was and remains simple,” said Carole Rogers, who first brought the Impact 100 idea to the Garden State. “When we approached the Community Foundation of New Jersey in late 2012 to launch the state’s first Impact 100, the idea was for 100 women to each contribute $1,000 to the fund, which would then solicit applications from nonprofit organizations and hold a vote to select one grant recipient for that year’s total amount of funds.”
Impact 100 Jersey Coast, the state’s second chapter, was launched in 2016 and has granted a total of $1,167,000 to projects in Monmouth County in its first four years. “The growth has been astonishing,” said Heather Burke, co-founder of Impact 100 Jersey Coast. “Impact has resonated with hundreds of women from all walks of life in our community and has touched the lives of many thousands more through the projects we have supported with our shared dollars. The story we are telling throughout our state offers a new model of philanthropy and collective action.”
Impact 100 Essex was founded the following year and will have granted out more than $395,500 in Essex County by the end of this month. “We revel in the collaboration of the engaged and diverse women of Essex County and the many inspiring local non-profits working to make our communities stronger, safer and more just,” said Margo Greenfield, who is a co-convenor of Impact 100 Essex.
Impact 100 South Jersey, founded in 2017 through the Community Foundation of South Jersey, has granted a total of $229,000 across Camden, Burlington, Gloucester, and Cumberland counties.
“We saw the vitality of the Impact 100 model across the Delaware River in Philadelphia, and we knew that we wanted our own giving circle supporting organizations in need in this southern part of the state, which doesn’t always get the same attention,” said Kyle Ruffin, one of the five founding members of Impact100 South Jersey.
“We are beyond inspired by the more than 1,100 women from across the state who have stepped up, formed strong associations, and are learning about and investing in nonprofit partners who are leading change in their communities,” said Margarethe Laurenzi, chief philanthropic officer at the Community Foundation. “Collaborating with and supporting these Impact 100 women to help them make their philanthropic vision a reality is especially rewarding for the Community Foundation.”
Impact100 Essex Awards $120,000 Grant to MEND
January/24/20 11:53 Filed in: In the News
https://baristanet.com/2019/12/four-local-nonprofits-selected-as-finalists-for-impact100-essex-grant-award/
Impact100 Essex awarded its third annual grant to Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND), a network of 20 food pantries throughout Essex County, at its annual meeting held at Seton Hall University. MEND received a $120,000 grant that will enable the nonprofit to source, store and transport fresh produce to its food pantry network. Three other nonprofits were finalists for the award, each will receive a $10,000 leverage grant to support their work in Essex County.
Impact100 Essex awarded its third annual grant to Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND), a network of 20 food pantries throughout Essex County, at its annual meeting held at Seton Hall University. MEND received a $120,000 grant that will enable the nonprofit to source, store and transport fresh produce to its food pantry network. Three other nonprofits were finalists for the award, each will receive a $10,000 leverage grant to support their work in Essex County.
Pictured: The Impact100 Essex Steering Committee and from MEND Kate Cahill, Karen Hartshorn Hilton, Robin Peacock, Sister Linda Klaisse and Jabbar Abdi
Robin Peacock, Executive Director at MEND received the award, “With this grant, MEND will now be able to deliver substantially more fresh and healthy food to pantries and people living with the highest food insecurity rates in New Jersey. We are thrilled to have the funds to build a fresh food hub that will streamline and innovate the way families, children, and individuals in our community access the nutritious food they need.” “It’s gratifying to award our third grant to MEND and know the funds will benefit entire families in Essex County” said Mayuri Chandra, co-head of the grants committee of Impact100 Essex. “We’re also very gratified that our membership grew in 2019, so we are able to award the other finalists a leverage grant. All of these nonprofits do very important and impactful work in Essex County. They all put forth inspiring and transformational project proposals. The Impact100 Essex membership is extremely pleased that we are able to support all of these organizations” added Kate Shoemaker, co-head of the grants committee. The three nonprofits in receipt of the $10,000 leverage grants are Hetrick-Martin Institute of New Jersey (HMI-NJ), Imagine: A Center for Coping with Loss and Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ). Margo Greenfield, co-convener of Impact100 Essex, added, “We’re proud that in 3 years we’ve awarded $400,000 to leverage the ambitions of local nonprofits dreaming big and ready to launch impact programs. Our members are dedicated to this work and our goal continues to inspire more women to join our mission.” The Impact100 Essex grant is funded by gifts of $1,000 per member, per year. The organization holds information sessions throughout the winter and spring to establish the grant funding for the year. For more information and to receive details on upcoming sessions visit www.Impact100Essex.org or email membership@impact100essex.org.
Maplewood Non-Profit One of Four Finalists for Impact100 Essex Grant Award
January/10/20 12:59 Filed in: In the News
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/soma/sections/giving-back/articles/maplewood-non-profit-one-of-four-finalists-for-impact100-essex-grant-award
By IMPACT 100 ESSEX
January 10, 2020 at 8:00 AM
Essex County, NJ — The four finalist nominees for the Impact100 Essex 2019 grant award include one Maplewood organization. One of the finalists will be voted the recipient of the $120,000 grant by the Impact100 Essex membership at the organization’s Annual Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020 at Seton Hall University in South Orange.
“Once again, identifying only 4 finalists from the dozens of excellent proposals we received was painstaking work undertaken by our members,” said Kate Shoemaker, co-chair of the Impact100 Essex grant committee.
The 2019 finalists are:
Hetrick-Martin Institute of New Jersey proposes to expand its services providing safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ youth and their families with a new site on the border of Maplewood and Irvington.
Imagine: A Center for Coping with Loss envisions expanding their Newark pilot project providing trauma-informed grief support to children and families dealing with loss due to death, incarceration or deportation in Newark.
Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND) hopes to source, store, and transport fresh produce to its network of 20 Essex County based food pantries serving some 134,000 individuals.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) proposes addressing the exploding eviction crisis by tripling the pro bono attorney time devoted to tenancy issues and expanded information sessions for the community.
“These four finalists are proposing particularly transformational projects that will substantially impact lives of our neighbors in Essex County”, said Mayuri Chandri, co-chair of the grants committee.
Impact100 Essex is a collective philanthropic group founded and funded by women in Essex County. We bring women together to amplify and leverage the impact of members’ giving and to empower solutions for our community. Each year, Impact100 Essex awards a minimum grant of $100,000 to support an important, innovative project managed by a local nonprofit organization. For more information about Impact100 Essex and to find out how you can join, go to: www.Impact100Essex.org.
By IMPACT 100 ESSEX
January 10, 2020 at 8:00 AM
Essex County, NJ — The four finalist nominees for the Impact100 Essex 2019 grant award include one Maplewood organization. One of the finalists will be voted the recipient of the $120,000 grant by the Impact100 Essex membership at the organization’s Annual Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020 at Seton Hall University in South Orange.
“Once again, identifying only 4 finalists from the dozens of excellent proposals we received was painstaking work undertaken by our members,” said Kate Shoemaker, co-chair of the Impact100 Essex grant committee.
The 2019 finalists are:
Hetrick-Martin Institute of New Jersey proposes to expand its services providing safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ youth and their families with a new site on the border of Maplewood and Irvington.
Imagine: A Center for Coping with Loss envisions expanding their Newark pilot project providing trauma-informed grief support to children and families dealing with loss due to death, incarceration or deportation in Newark.
Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND) hopes to source, store, and transport fresh produce to its network of 20 Essex County based food pantries serving some 134,000 individuals.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) proposes addressing the exploding eviction crisis by tripling the pro bono attorney time devoted to tenancy issues and expanded information sessions for the community.
“These four finalists are proposing particularly transformational projects that will substantially impact lives of our neighbors in Essex County”, said Mayuri Chandri, co-chair of the grants committee.
Impact100 Essex is a collective philanthropic group founded and funded by women in Essex County. We bring women together to amplify and leverage the impact of members’ giving and to empower solutions for our community. Each year, Impact100 Essex awards a minimum grant of $100,000 to support an important, innovative project managed by a local nonprofit organization. For more information about Impact100 Essex and to find out how you can join, go to: www.Impact100Essex.org.
Photo – Impact100 Essex members at the organization’s launch reception at 3rd Space in Newark last September.
Four Local Nonprofits Selected As Finalists for Impact100 Essex Grant Award
December/08/19 12:55 Filed in: In the News
https://baristanet.com/2019/12/four-local-nonprofits-selected-as-finalists-for-impact100-essex-grant-award/
Four Local Nonprofits Selected As Finalists for Impact100 Essex Grant Award
Announcement -December 8, 2019
Four finalist nominees for the Impact100 Essex 2019 grant award were announced Sunday. One of the finalists will be voted the recipient of the $120,000 grant by the Impact100 Essex membership at the organization’s Annual Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020 at Seton Hall University in South Orange.
“Once again, identifying only 4 finalists from the dozens of excellent proposals we received was painstaking work undertaken by our members”, said Kate Shoemaker, co-chair of the Impact100 Essex grant committee.
The 2019 finalists are:
Hetrick-Martin Institute of New Jersey (HMI-NJ) proposes to expand its services providing safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ youth and their families with a new site on the border of Maplewood and Irvington.
Imagine: A Center for Coping with Loss envisions expanding their Newark pilot project providing trauma-informed grief support to children and families dealing with loss due to death, incarceration or deportation in Newark.
Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND) hopes to source, store and transport fresh produce to its network of 20 Essex County based food pantries serving some 134,000 individuals.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) proposes addressing the exploding eviction crisis by tripling the pro bono attorney time devoted to tenancy issues and expanded information sessions for the community.
Horizontal Banner - Eagle Rock Logo
“These four finalists are proposing particularly transformational projects that will substantially impact lives of our neighbors in Essex County”, said Mayuri Chandri, co-chair of the grants committee.
Four Local Nonprofits Selected As Finalists for Impact100 Essex Grant Award
Announcement -December 8, 2019
Four finalist nominees for the Impact100 Essex 2019 grant award were announced Sunday. One of the finalists will be voted the recipient of the $120,000 grant by the Impact100 Essex membership at the organization’s Annual Meeting to be held on January 21, 2020 at Seton Hall University in South Orange.
“Once again, identifying only 4 finalists from the dozens of excellent proposals we received was painstaking work undertaken by our members”, said Kate Shoemaker, co-chair of the Impact100 Essex grant committee.
The 2019 finalists are:
Hetrick-Martin Institute of New Jersey (HMI-NJ) proposes to expand its services providing safe and supportive environments for LGBTQ youth and their families with a new site on the border of Maplewood and Irvington.
Imagine: A Center for Coping with Loss envisions expanding their Newark pilot project providing trauma-informed grief support to children and families dealing with loss due to death, incarceration or deportation in Newark.
Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity (MEND) hopes to source, store and transport fresh produce to its network of 20 Essex County based food pantries serving some 134,000 individuals.
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice (VLJ) proposes addressing the exploding eviction crisis by tripling the pro bono attorney time devoted to tenancy issues and expanded information sessions for the community.
Horizontal Banner - Eagle Rock Logo
“These four finalists are proposing particularly transformational projects that will substantially impact lives of our neighbors in Essex County”, said Mayuri Chandri, co-chair of the grants committee.
Impact100 Essex members at the organization’s launch reception at 3rd Space in Newark last September.
Gathering of Givers
March/19/19 13:59 Filed in: In the News
‘Gathering of Givers’ Features New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy
March 19, 2019 Hillary Viders Northern Valley Press
New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy is pictured at “A Gathering of Givers: New Jersey Women Making an Impact.” | PHOTO BY HILLARY VIDERS
BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
NEWARK, N.J.—It was a power breakfast and then some. Three hundred women from several New Jersey counties gathered on March 8 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark to network, speak about philanthropy and hear New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy.
The event—titled “A Gathering of Givers: New Jersey Women Making an Impact”—was a timely celebration of International Women’s Day and a discussion on how investing time, talent and resources can strengthen communities.
There were speeches and inspirational stories from some of New Jersey’s most resourceful and dynamic community builders. The attendees as well as the speakers were a diverse network of women who represent giving circles, local family foundations, nonprofits and corporations.
“A Gathering of Givers” was hosted by the Women’s Association of NJPAC and Impact100 Essex with support from 15 organizations, including Association of Black Women Attorneys, Bibliophiles, Executive Women of New Jersey, Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey, Latinas in Business Inc., National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (Bergen/Passaic Chapter) North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha – Cluster IV.
The event was underwritten by the MCJ Amelior Foundation, the Community Foundation of New Jersey and the Women’s Association of NJPAC.
After a buffet breakfast and informal meet and greet that began at 9 a.m., Sarah Rosen, managing director of the Women’s Association (WA) of NJPAC opened the speaker’s program. Rosen proudly announced that the WA is celebrating 25 years and over $52 million raised to support NJPAC and its programs that enrich the lives of our current and future generations of cultural citizens. The WA, established by nine women in 1994, now has 2500 members.
“Many of the most influential and powerful women in New Jersey support arts education for our young, champion Newark’s remarkable evolution and advance NJPAC as a home for world class artistry,” said Rosen, reflecting on the theme of women who give.
She then introduced John Schreiber, president and CEO of NJPAC, who spoke about how the NJPAC is the most diverse arts center in the country, citing some of the numerous programs and events that it hosts.
Rosen continued with a dramatic speech about the vital but under recognized power of women philanthropists.
“Women give differently than men. We’re not just about giving, but about relationships with the organizations we support. Women don’t just write checks, we are hands on!” she declared.
Rosen touted how women in New Jersey not only raise millions of dollars each year but also give their time and talent serving on numerous boards and community initiatives.
“As [American social activist] Mary Williams said, ‘Our biggest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure!’”
Lee was followed by Hali Lee, co-founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle, Shane Harris, executive director of the Prudential Foundation, and a panel discussion moderated by Sherri-Ann Butterfield, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark.
Panelists spoke about their backgrounds and how they became involved in philanthropy. The group—which consisted of Tamara Harris, executive director of CASA of Essex County; Ellen Weisbord Lambert. Esq., president EWLambert, LLC; Gabriella Morris, senior vice president of strategic partnerships UNICEF USA; and Jane Wilf, trustee of the Wilf Family Foundation—then took questions from the audience.
Inspirational stories were related by Elisa Charters, who is president and founder of Latina Surge, and Kim Jacobs, a trustee of The Reitman Foundation.
In addition to the breakfast fare, there was food for thought. On the dining tables, each setting had a place mat divided into two sections that read, “How Do you Give?” and next to it, “What’s Next?”
Another interesting element to the conference was provided by Flash Rosenberg, an “Attention Span for Hire” artist who made acrylic drawings of each presentation as it was being made and then displayed the collection.
In the “What’s Next” segment of the program, Margarethe Laurenzi, director of leadership grantmaking and engagement for Community Foundation of New Jersey, advised that “We should be making decisions as educated consumers with serious purchasing power.”
For most attendees, the highlight of the morning was the dramatic and inspiring speech made by First Lady Murphy, which emphasized the need for women to use their influence to better the world.
“Women’s History Month is a time for use to make sure that the forgotten heroes and role models are forgotten no more. Today we celebrate the source of New Jersey’s strength—the women of New Jersey! And we want to ensure that every woman is going to have the opportunity to find her inner strength.”
Murphy, who works with numerous organizations, told the audience that she has a personal mission to eliminate infant mortality and racial disparity in New Jersey. She said New Jersey ranks 45th out of 50 states in maternal mortality and many of these deaths occur in women and babies of color.
“In the government, we have begun a statewide campaign with many partners and resources in the cabinet and the health care industry to reduce infant and maternal mortality and to ensure equitable health care to women and children of all races and ethnicities,” she said.
“Just last weekend, I hosted my third Family Festival in Camden. With over 90 nonprofit and community organizations and resources at the state and county level, we were able to provide resources to 300 attendees,” said Murphy. “Essentially what we do is create a one stop shop for care, support, resources and relief. Phil [Gov. Murphy] and I and over 12 cabinet members are committed to equitable health care.”
In her closing remarks, Murphy announced with great emotion, “Together we are ensuring that all women in New Jersey prosper, and we are celebrating all of you here and generations to come. We are changing the conversation, creating a better future for mothers, babies and people all across New Jersey. We’re all in this together and it is our future. We are writing new chapters in our history, and because of everyone here today, I know that these chapters are going to be written by strong and determined women.”
As Murphy left the podium amidst a hail of applause, she said, “Women in future generations throughout New Jersey and around the world will celebrate a healthier Women’s History Month!”
The last speaker, Marcia Wilson Brown, Esq. president of the Women’s Association of NJPAC, praised Murphy and embraced the mission of all the organizations present in a phrase that elicited cheers and laughter: “In this room are people who are going to turn the world upside right!”
Kamilah Crawley, public health consultant and board member of the Newark Center for Meditative Culture, expressed the collective spirit in the room when she said, “An event like this is so important because it shows how critical is to give back to our communities and the impact that women have.”
March 19, 2019 Hillary Viders Northern Valley Press
New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy is pictured at “A Gathering of Givers: New Jersey Women Making an Impact.” | PHOTO BY HILLARY VIDERS
BY HILLARY VIDERS
SPECIAL TO NORTHERN VALLEY PRESS
NEWARK, N.J.—It was a power breakfast and then some. Three hundred women from several New Jersey counties gathered on March 8 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark to network, speak about philanthropy and hear New Jersey First Lady Tammy Murphy.
The event—titled “A Gathering of Givers: New Jersey Women Making an Impact”—was a timely celebration of International Women’s Day and a discussion on how investing time, talent and resources can strengthen communities.
There were speeches and inspirational stories from some of New Jersey’s most resourceful and dynamic community builders. The attendees as well as the speakers were a diverse network of women who represent giving circles, local family foundations, nonprofits and corporations.
“A Gathering of Givers” was hosted by the Women’s Association of NJPAC and Impact100 Essex with support from 15 organizations, including Association of Black Women Attorneys, Bibliophiles, Executive Women of New Jersey, Jewish Women’s Foundation of New Jersey, Latinas in Business Inc., National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (Bergen/Passaic Chapter) North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha – Cluster IV.
The event was underwritten by the MCJ Amelior Foundation, the Community Foundation of New Jersey and the Women’s Association of NJPAC.
After a buffet breakfast and informal meet and greet that began at 9 a.m., Sarah Rosen, managing director of the Women’s Association (WA) of NJPAC opened the speaker’s program. Rosen proudly announced that the WA is celebrating 25 years and over $52 million raised to support NJPAC and its programs that enrich the lives of our current and future generations of cultural citizens. The WA, established by nine women in 1994, now has 2500 members.
“Many of the most influential and powerful women in New Jersey support arts education for our young, champion Newark’s remarkable evolution and advance NJPAC as a home for world class artistry,” said Rosen, reflecting on the theme of women who give.
She then introduced John Schreiber, president and CEO of NJPAC, who spoke about how the NJPAC is the most diverse arts center in the country, citing some of the numerous programs and events that it hosts.
Rosen continued with a dramatic speech about the vital but under recognized power of women philanthropists.
“Women give differently than men. We’re not just about giving, but about relationships with the organizations we support. Women don’t just write checks, we are hands on!” she declared.
Rosen touted how women in New Jersey not only raise millions of dollars each year but also give their time and talent serving on numerous boards and community initiatives.
“As [American social activist] Mary Williams said, ‘Our biggest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure!’”
Lee was followed by Hali Lee, co-founder of the Asian Women Giving Circle, Shane Harris, executive director of the Prudential Foundation, and a panel discussion moderated by Sherri-Ann Butterfield, Ph.D., executive vice chancellor of Rutgers University–Newark.
Panelists spoke about their backgrounds and how they became involved in philanthropy. The group—which consisted of Tamara Harris, executive director of CASA of Essex County; Ellen Weisbord Lambert. Esq., president EWLambert, LLC; Gabriella Morris, senior vice president of strategic partnerships UNICEF USA; and Jane Wilf, trustee of the Wilf Family Foundation—then took questions from the audience.
Inspirational stories were related by Elisa Charters, who is president and founder of Latina Surge, and Kim Jacobs, a trustee of The Reitman Foundation.
In addition to the breakfast fare, there was food for thought. On the dining tables, each setting had a place mat divided into two sections that read, “How Do you Give?” and next to it, “What’s Next?”
Another interesting element to the conference was provided by Flash Rosenberg, an “Attention Span for Hire” artist who made acrylic drawings of each presentation as it was being made and then displayed the collection.
In the “What’s Next” segment of the program, Margarethe Laurenzi, director of leadership grantmaking and engagement for Community Foundation of New Jersey, advised that “We should be making decisions as educated consumers with serious purchasing power.”
For most attendees, the highlight of the morning was the dramatic and inspiring speech made by First Lady Murphy, which emphasized the need for women to use their influence to better the world.
“Women’s History Month is a time for use to make sure that the forgotten heroes and role models are forgotten no more. Today we celebrate the source of New Jersey’s strength—the women of New Jersey! And we want to ensure that every woman is going to have the opportunity to find her inner strength.”
Murphy, who works with numerous organizations, told the audience that she has a personal mission to eliminate infant mortality and racial disparity in New Jersey. She said New Jersey ranks 45th out of 50 states in maternal mortality and many of these deaths occur in women and babies of color.
“In the government, we have begun a statewide campaign with many partners and resources in the cabinet and the health care industry to reduce infant and maternal mortality and to ensure equitable health care to women and children of all races and ethnicities,” she said.
“Just last weekend, I hosted my third Family Festival in Camden. With over 90 nonprofit and community organizations and resources at the state and county level, we were able to provide resources to 300 attendees,” said Murphy. “Essentially what we do is create a one stop shop for care, support, resources and relief. Phil [Gov. Murphy] and I and over 12 cabinet members are committed to equitable health care.”
In her closing remarks, Murphy announced with great emotion, “Together we are ensuring that all women in New Jersey prosper, and we are celebrating all of you here and generations to come. We are changing the conversation, creating a better future for mothers, babies and people all across New Jersey. We’re all in this together and it is our future. We are writing new chapters in our history, and because of everyone here today, I know that these chapters are going to be written by strong and determined women.”
As Murphy left the podium amidst a hail of applause, she said, “Women in future generations throughout New Jersey and around the world will celebrate a healthier Women’s History Month!”
The last speaker, Marcia Wilson Brown, Esq. president of the Women’s Association of NJPAC, praised Murphy and embraced the mission of all the organizations present in a phrase that elicited cheers and laughter: “In this room are people who are going to turn the world upside right!”
Kamilah Crawley, public health consultant and board member of the Newark Center for Meditative Culture, expressed the collective spirit in the room when she said, “An event like this is so important because it shows how critical is to give back to our communities and the impact that women have.”