By Alexander Mirabella
Chairman, Union County Board of County Commissioners
March is Women’s History Month, and the Union County Board of Commissioners is proud to celebrate the lives of remarkable women in history and the history makers of today, too.
On March 31, we will be honoring women who were instrumental in the fight for women’s suffrage, who prevailed with the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1919. Everyone is invited to enjoy a free virtual performance of Reclaiming Our Voice: New Jersey’s Role in Woman Suffrage, which recounts the struggle for the right to vote from the perspective of Plainfield resident Lillian Feickert, who was president of the New Jersey Woman Suffrage Association from 1912 to 1920.
For information about joining Reclaiming Our Voice on Zoom, visit the Union County Office on Women at ucnj.org/women.
To celebrate and recognize women who are making history today, everyone is also invited to submit their nominations for the 2021 Tribute to SHeroes Award. The award honors women who have demonstrated exemplary leadership, pride and commitment to their community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Whether they are neighbors, friends, coworkers, caretakers, sisters, mothers, educators, doctors, nurses and other medical personnel, untold numbers of women in Union County strove to hold our community together in the midst of an unprecedented public health and economic crisis. We want to highlight and memorialize their efforts as an inspiration to the young women of today, and for future generations.
Nominations are being accepted all throughout Women’s History Month, until March 31. To submit a nomination, visit ucnj.org/ women, or call 908-527-4216 for more information.
As part of our commitment to supporting diversity, equality, and inclusion for all women, this month we are also launching the second year of our new “OUT in Union County: Queer Empowerment Hour” series. Queer Empowerment Hour is a monthly online story and discussion series exploring LGBTQ+ topics with advocates, allies, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
For more information about participating in the conversation, visit our Office of LGBTQ Affairs at ucnj.org/lgbtq or call 908-527-4742.
Finally, I would also like remind everyone that 2021 marks the first year of a historic change in title for County elected officials throughout the state of New Jersey.
Until January 1 of this year, County Commissioners were titled “Chosen Freeholders.” Freeholder is a holdover from the earliest years in American history, when only property owners – primarily, white males – were entitled to hold elected office. Though interesting as a historical artifact, the Freeholder title does not reflect the fight for equal rights in our history, for which so many have sacrificed so much. Nor does it reflect the diversity of today’s society, especially so in Union County, which is one of the most diverse counties in New Jersey.
The Union County Board of County Commissioners exemplifies the need for change. Women currently hold a majority of six seats on our nine-member board, including Vice Chair Rebecca Williams and Commissioners Angela Garretson, Bette Jane Kowalski, Lourdes M. Leon, Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded and Andrea Staten.
Please join us this March in celebrating the extraordinary women of Union County, both past and present.
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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.
Connect with Union County on social media.


“Food distributions have become a lifeline for our residents during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. “We are proud to be able to continue providing this valuable resource to our residents in the coming months.”
Residents wishing to pick up food at the drive-up distribution events at Kean University and Union County Vocational Technical School must arrive in a vehicle. Walk-ups will not be accommodated in either location.

Union County’s American Job Center employment service will begin posting job opportunities and pre-screening applicants.
Union County, NJ — The Union County Board of Elections reminds voters who plan to change their party affiliation that they must do so by April 14, in order to participate in their new party’s Gubernatorial Primary Election on June 8.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners through The Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs is pleased to celebrate Women’s History Month with a free virtual performance of Reclaiming Our Voice: New Jersey’s Role in Woman Suffrage on Wednesday, March 31 at 7:00 p.m.
Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of Commissioners encourages Union County residents to help keep County parks free of litter, by reducing their use of single-use plastic bags and other disposable plastic items.
Union County, NJ – In recognition of Arbor Day, the Union County Board of County Commissioners is once again partnering with the Union County Shade Tree Advisory Board to sponsor the annual Arbor Day Poetry Contest for students in Union County. The deadline for entry has been extended to March 26, 2021.
Union County, NJ – As a new season approaches, Union County residents, business owners and visitors can explore new ways to save money and help preserve a healthy environment by tuning in to the new 
Event is drive-in only and pre-registration required to reserve a spot; COVID-19 prevention rules apply.