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.”