Click here to view previous Union County Women Mean Business events. All other events and programs can be found below.
Women’s Equality Day – Tuesday, August 26, 2025
After years of advocacy, American women secured the right to vote with the passage of the 19th Amendment, certified on August 26, 1920. To honor this landmark achievement and the ongoing pursuit of equality, Congress designated August 26th as Women’s Equality Day. This day affirms equal citizenship rights for all and honors the progress women have made since 1920, from gaining the vote to securing workplace, education, and athletic opportunities.
Women’s Equality Day celebrates the progress made and renews our commitment to the work ahead!
Empower & Protect – Self Defense Essentials
The Union County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Union County Sheriff’s Office, is excited to offer free specialized self-defense training classes for women ages 18 – 23 at the John H. Stamler Police Academy, located at 1776 Raritan Road in Scotch Plains. Two sessions are being offered – Tuesday, July 22, and Tuesday, July 29, both from 6:00pm to 8:00pm.
“These classes are your chance to develop real-life skills and take charge of your personal safety,” said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon. “We want every young woman to feel strong, confident, and prepared—especially as you head back to campus this fall. To our college students home for the summer, now is the perfect time to invest in your safety.”
Experienced and certified officers will guide participants through effective self-defense techniques, safety strategies, and ways to reduce risk in everyday situations. Participants will learn not only self-defense techniques, but also how to sharpen their situational awareness to recognize and avoid danger before it escalates. This class is designed for women to build confidence and gain skills to protect themselves and those they care about, empowering them to respond to threats.
“Being aware of your surroundings is one of the most powerful tools you can have,” said Union County Sheriff Peter Corvelli. “These self-defense classes aren’t just about self-defense moves, but learning how to spot red flags and how to make quick decisions under stress. We want young women to head into every situation, whether home in Union County or back on campus, with confidence.”
To participate, attendees must complete a waiver and are advised to wear comfortable gym attire.
Women’s History Month
Commissioner Board Videos
Please enjoy these videos from our Union County Female-majority Commissioner Board
Chairwoman Lourdes M. Leon
Michèle S. Delisfort
Bette Jane Kowalski
Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded
Rebecca Williams
Female Activists throughout History
Women’s History Milestones
Empower and Protect
Go RED
Go Red is the American Heart Association’s national movement to end heart disease & stroke in women
For more resources related to Go Red, please visit Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association.
The first Friday of every February, is the American Heart Association’s signature women’s initiative: GO RED for Women. Go Red is designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women globally. It’s about all women making a commitment to stand together with Go Red and taking charge of their own heart health as well as the health of those near and dear.
Let’s raise the awareness in Union County about cardiovascular disease in women and save lives.
We’re calling on all of Union County to wear red, take a photo and text it with the required information below to participate in this awareness campaign and open up the discussion that may save someone’s life.
Please e-mail your photos to jerdos@ucnj.org.
