The SHEroes of Maplewood and South Orange

Maplewood Township and South Orange Village Celebrate Female Essential Workers with a “SHEroes” window exhibit at the 1978 Arts Center on Springfield Avenue, as well as a “Meet The SHEroes of the Maplewood Police Force” Video. The photo installation, which will be up for the Month of March in recognition of Women’s History Month, highlights the contributions made of Women as essential workers on the front lines of the Covid-19 Pandemic. The Police Department video is online.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines SHERO as a woman regarded as a hero. The plural is SHEroes and we have many in our community. The unwavering support and dedication of these women, who kept working through the worst of the Coronavirus crises to ensure the health, protection and safety of the community, is a testament to the sheer SHEroic strength of women and the value women hold in all areas of the workforce.

Melissa Mancuso, Director, Maplewood Department of Community Services is on a mission, one of ‘Women Lifting Women’ the focus for Women’s History Month ’21. “There are so many women who have risen to the occasion every day during the pandemic making sure we have medical attention, food, clean and nurturing environments, and so much more. They are the unsung SHEroes of our time and should be appreciated and cherished.”

The diversity of these amazing women runs the gamut from Maplewood’s newest custodial hire Ana Guevara Lopez to 42-year Maplewood veteran Liz Fritzen who served as township clerk for 33 years and before that 9 years in the Recreation Department. Others honored are: Leah Greene and Jennifer MaCafee from South Mountain YMCA; Candice Davenport, Health Officer of Maplewood; Anna Markarova Maplewood’s Public Health Nurse; Maplewood Police Officers Jennifer Celis, Diana Gil, Chian Weekes-Rivera and Sergeant Connie Fields; School Nurses Julie Porter and Ilena Kasdan; Physician Pamela Grover MD; Registered Nurse Marie Venette; Kia and Joan Palmer from Palmers Bakehouse; Sharon Reed, Kings Floral Department Manager; Barbara Potts, Lexann Pharmacy Clerk; Beverly Mozone, St. Joseph’s Food Pantry Coordinator; and Dr. Alissa Gardenhire, Owner of Best in Class Education Center in South Orange.

Health Officer, Candice Davenport was the mastermind behind bringing attention to our obvious yet silent female heroes who have not gotten their due. “Local business owners, pharmacists, store clerks, nurses, educators, custodians, police officers are some of the brave unspoken female heroes represented in SHEROES, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Women are coming together and are making history as frontline workers during these uncertain times. They are providing care and services so that people could stay home; they took care of others; and they kept themselves and others safe.

We recognize them and honor them for Women’s History Month and always,” acknowledges Candice Davenport, Health Officer of Maplewood.

- More -

Maplewood’s finest are highlighted in a video titled, ‘Meet the SHEroes of the Maplewood Police Force’ which is posted on social media, somawomen.org, Maplewoodartsandculture.com and on YouTube (https://youtu.be/OlampbaJWU8). The video shares who and what inspired them, advice for young women interested in a career in law enforcement, their favorite things about Maplewood, and what they like to do when they are not in uniform.

Women have played a critical role in leading, shaping, and enhancing our community, our country and humankind. Please join us as we celebrate Women's History in March and always!

So that everyone may enjoy and participate in the Women’s History Month for 2021 with physical distancing and covid-19 guidelines established, the majority of events will take place online, via Zoom, in store windows, displays and installations. Detailed descriptions, additional information, updates and links to all happenings can be found at www.somawomen.org. Weekly township email and social media campaigns will detail upcoming events.

SOMA celebrates women honors the lives and achievements of women all throughout the year featuring a series of events geared towards education, empowerment, support and solidarity as we amplify women’s voices to honor the past, inform the present and inspire the future.

#SomaCelebratesWomen 

 www.SOMAWomen.org • IG: @SomaCelebratesWomen • FB Groups: @somawomen