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Attending the second Women’s History Month event Sunday in Neptune City were (from left) Neptune City Councilwoman Danielle Pappas, Neptune City Mayor Rachel McGreevy, Neptune City Borough Councilwoman Kim Karalovich, Assemblywoman Margie Donlon, Assemblywoman Victoria Flynn, Neptune City Borough Councilwoman Pamela Renee and Neptune City Borough Councilwoman Gail Oliver.
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Attending the Women’s History Month celebration in Neptune City last Sunday were Neptune City residents Kristine Eckert (left) and Michael Stern as well as Neptune City Mayor Rachel McGreevy.
By DENISE HERSCHEL
It was all about honoring Women’s History Sunday at United Fire Company’s banquet hall in Neptune City as more than 50 people attended the Neptune City Women’s History Celebration, hosted by Neptune City Mayor Rachel McGreevy, the borough’s first woman mayor.
All of the proceeds from the four-hour inspirational afternoon were donated to the Sarah Stern Memorial Art Scholarship. Art work by the Neptune High School graduate was on display at the event.
To kick off the celebration there was a discussion moderated by Neptune City Community Relations Committee member Jim McGreevy who introduced Assemblywomen Victoria Flynn and Margie Donlon. Speaking about the importance of women elected to office, they also shared their life experiences concerning career, family and politics, pointing out the reality that of 120 seats in the NJ Legislature, only 40 are held by women.
The mayor said she was proud to recognize the historic female majority of the Borough Council with the second annual event benefiting the Sarah Lee Stern Scholarship for the Arts.
“With the first-ever female majority on the Neptune City governing body, our team is making history every day” McGreevy said. “Given that data shows women are underrepresented at all levels of decision-making and representation for women in elected office remains slow and uneven, we are extremely proud to have achieved this milestone in Neptune City. I am grateful to serve alongside such a strong group of women and thrilled that we can help increase the visibility of women and girls in our community with this event.”
The event was sponsored by the Neptune City Community Relations Committee which is a group of volunteers, chaired by Councilwoman Gail Oliver, that engages in activities to bring residents together as a town. New volunteers are welcome and residents are encouraged to contact the borough to get involved with the Community Relations Committee 732-776-7224.
Neptune City Councilwoman Danielle Pappas said she found the discussion to be uplifting.
“The panelists discussed their own journeys and challenges personally and professionally stating that in the NJ Legislature there is a majority male governing body. They advocated the need for women to work together in these types of fields, not taking ‘no’ for an answer in order to obtain success,” she said.
The borough of Neptune City was also celebrating a milestone of its own – the history making, women-only majority city council and Neptune City’s first female mayor.
“It’s a historic and inspiring moment for Neptune City. Having a majority-women council reflects the progress we have made and reinforces the importance of female leadership in shaping policies that benefit everyone in our community. It’s a moment that I hope inspires my own daughter as she grows,” Pappas said.
Neptune City Councilman Brian Thomas, who attended the event with his wife, Katie, said the event’s purpose was twofold – highlighting women’s strengths and raising funds for the Sarah Stern Memorial Art Scholarship.
“My perspective is a bit unique in that my entire life I have been surrounded by strong women, being my own mother who raised my sister and me while working full-time and getting her degree. Also having worked in and around government for most of my career, I am no stranger to hearing about the issues facing women working in the same field. But that’s just it; it’s hearing on the outside and not experiencing the same challenges myself,” he said. “It takes a lot of strength to fight to be in positions of leadership especially when others put an addition al weight due to nothing other than their gender.”
One of the event’s youngest attendees, thirteen-year-old Rylyn Pappas, Councilwoman Danielle Pappas’ daughter, said she was excited to be part of the day.
“I liked hearing about the women’s lives and how they balance everything,” she said. “My mom inspire s me. I think it’s important for younger generations to see how women come together to support each other.”
