Events

Online registration for the Women’s Yoga Event

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Meet the New Jersey Women Who Won the Right to Vote

In celebration of Women’s History Month, all Union County residents and visitors are invited to attend a presentation of Reclaiming Our Voice: New Jersey’s Role in Woman Suffrage, a first-person historical interpretation that opens a window into the world of women activists who fought for the right to vote, and ultimately won.
The event takes place on Wednesday, March 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Liberty Hall Museum Carriage House at Kean University, at 1003 Morris Avenue in Union.
Admission is free of charge but advance registration is required at ucnj.org/womens-suffrage.

The performance features the story of former Union County resident Lillian Ford Feickert, who lived for a time in Plainfield. She served as President of the New Jersey Woman Suffrage Association during the pivotal eight-year period of 1912 to 1920, the year that women’s suffrage finally became the law of the land through the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“Lillian Feickert and her contemporaries are inspirational figures in American history,” said Freeholder Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “The Freeholder Board is proud to help keep their stories alive through this special presentation as we celebrate the centennial anniversary of the 19th Amendment.”

Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, Alice Paul and another former Union County resident, Florence Spearing Randolph of Summit are among the activists featured in the performance, as told through the voice of Lillian Feickert.

Performing as Lillian Feickert is Carol Simon Levin, a New Jersey storyteller, presenter and author of the book, Remembering the Ladies: From Patriots in Petticoats to Presidential Candidates.
Reclaiming our Voice is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State.
For more information about the event contact the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs at 908-558-2550 or visit online at ucnj.org.

Women’s Health Fair

Hidden Figures

(L-R) Assemblywoman Linda Carter, Mrs. Marion Johnson, Union County Freeholder Chris Hudak
(L-R) Union County Freeholder Chris Hudak, Jennifer Erdos from the UC Office on Women, Mrs. Marion Johnson, Assemblywoman Linda Carter

The women of Union County are some of the most accomplished women in history.  The Union County Women Making History Video (below) is Mrs. Marion Johnson, Plainfield.  Thanks to Mrs. Johnsons’ groundbreaking work at Boeing, where she was hired just after college, she was help to the United States to land the first person on the moon.   This video not only celebrates Mrs. Johnsons’ achievements but shows us how Union County has its own ‘Hidden Figure’. 

Union County Denim Day

Freeholder Chair, Bette Jane Kowalski, Marcela Tricanico of the Prosecutor’s Office Office of Witness Advocacy, Ana Maria Melara and Union County College students Elaine Sanchez and Jesus Lares.
County of Union Administration Staff is wearing jeans today in support of Denim Day and to bring more sexual assault issues to light. Sexual violence is a serious public health problem and affects millions of women and men in the United States.

 Prosecutor’s Office – Police Academy employees

Department of Human Services – Social Services Division employees

Dept of Human Services – Youth Services Division

Office of Witness Advocacy employees  Marcela Triacanico, Ana Maria Melara and Kimberly Best-Paris

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is pleased to present a free performance of the play In Their Footsteps on Saturday, March 30, at 1:30 p.m., at the Union County Performing Arts Center’s Hamilton Stage, located at 360 Hamilton Street in Rahway.

The Hamilton Stage production of In Her Footsteps is presented through the Union County Department of Economic Development, Office on Women. Admission is free of charge but seating is limited and pre-registration is required.  In their Footsteps honors five American women who served in the Vietnam War, using their own words to tell the story. One of the five women featured in the play is Judy Jenkins Gaudino, a resident of Summit.

“Over 50 years ago, thousands of young American women went to Vietnam to serve their country. For the most part, these women’s stories remain untold,” said Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski. “In Their Footsteps recovers this lost chapter of women’s history in vivid detail.” “On behalf of the Freeholder Board, I would like to thank Ms. Gaudino for her participation in this project, and for her efforts to raise awareness about the lives and experiences of women in war,” Freeholder Chair Kowalski added.

The afternoon includes:

  • A short talk and introduction by Freeholder Chair Bette Jane Kowalski.
  • Debut of the Union County Women Making History Video, featuring Judy Jenkins Gaudino.
  • Showing of the play In Their Footsteps.
  • Question and Answer session with Judy Jenkins Gaudino and actors.

In Their Footsteps was created by the non-profit theatre company Infinite Variety Productions, through interviews with five women who served in Vietnam: Ann Kelsey (Special Services Librarian), Judy Jenkins Gaudino (Special Services Recreation Employee), Jeanne “Sam” Christie (Red Cross, Donut Dollie), Lily Adams (US Army Nurse), and Doris “Lucki” Allen (US Army Intelligence Specialist). Infinite Variety Productions was established in 2011, and is dedicated to sharing the many unknown stories from women’s history.

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Previous EventFree Yoga and Wellness Class Invites Women to “Let in the Light”

Previous Event – Free Yoga and Wellness Class Offered in Celebration of Women’s History Month

In recognition of Women’s History Month, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders through Department of Human Services Union County Office on Women presented a free yoga class and wellness event, “Empowering Union County Women to Go Out and Make History” on Friday evening, March 3, at Maskers Barn in the historic Deserted Village of Feltville. The event was open to all, from beginners to experienced practitioners.

“Women’s History Month recognizes the distinctive contributions that women have made to our nation and our communities,” said Freeholder Chairman Bruce H. Bergen. “This event is designed to help County residents engage with their strengths and capabilities through yoga and guided meditation. It is an excellent opportunity to recharge after a long and difficult winter.”

The evening included:

  • Guided meditation ceremony by Danielle DeCostello of Bella Organici Studio in Cranford.
  • Yoga session by Nicole DeAugustine, certified yoga instructor.
  • Wellness and self-care session by Arielle Cassidy of the Juice House in Garwood.

“Empowering Union County Women to Go Out and Make History” is open to ages 16 and older.

Previous Event – Wellness Seminar

Large group of County employees came out to learn about women health issues.

Previous Event – Wellness Seminar

Life Coach consultant Ashley Burke gave an interactive presentation in regards to women’s health.

Previous Event – Birthday of Suffragette Susan B. Anthony

On Wednesday, February 15 the Union County Department of Human Services Office on Women celebrated the birthday of Suffragette Susan B. Anthony, who was born on the same date in 1820. Recognizing that February is Black History Month and March is Women’s History Month, the event included a session on the important contributions that Anthony made toward achieving equal rights for women and African-Americans in the U.S. and abroad. She was a prominent activist in the abolitionist movement as well as a founder of the Suffragette movement, which lead to the enfranchisement of women in 1920. She was also instrumental in establishing the International Council of Women.

Susan B. Anthony passed away in 1906 but the legacy of her impact on our nation’s history lives on in celebrations large and small.