MORRIS COUNTY — Jersey Battered Women’s Service is celebrating a significant milestone—50 years of providing safety, support, and solutions for abuse survivors across the region.

Founded on March 26, 1976, JBWS was established during a time when there were limited resources available for victims of domestic violence, and abuse was not widely recognized or addressed under the law. In its earliest days, volunteers opened their own homes to provide safe shelter for victims and their children.

Over the past five decades, JBWS has grown into a comprehensive organization offering a wide range of services to those in need. Its impact is reflected in the numbers:
    •    250,000 teens educated about dating abuse
    •    219,000 nights of shelter provided to victims fleeing abuse
    •    171,000 calls answered through its 24-hour helpline
    •    32,000 individuals receiving critical legal advocacy
    •    10,000 individuals who caused harm participating in intervention programs

The organization continues to evolve to meet the changing needs of the community, guided by its mission to support survivors and break the cycle of abuse.

During a recent recognition, Anthony M. Bucco congratulated JBWS on the milestone, noting the importance of celebrating its legacy while preparing for the future.

As JBWS reflects on 50 years of service, its commitment remains steadfast—to ensure safety, provide support, and create lasting change for individuals and families impacted by domestic violence.

MORRIS COUNTY — The Morris County Board of County Commissioners declared March 2026 Women’s History Month during its public meeting in Morristown this evening, presenting an official proclamation and recognizing the contributions women have made to the nation over 250 years, as part of the county’s celebrates of America’s 250th anniversary.

The meeting also included the presentation of the Morris County “2026 Seeds of Change Award” by the Morris County Human Services Advisory Council’s (HSAC) Subcommittee on Women.

“As we celebrate Women’s History Month during the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding, we are reminded that women have always been central to America’s story — from supporting the cause for independence here in Morris County to shaping the communities we know today,” said Commissioner Director Stephen H. Shaw. “Their leadership, resilience and commitment to service continue to strengthen our county and our nation.”

Director Shaw presented a framed proclamation on behalf of the board to the HSAC Subcommittee on Women, formally observing March 2026 as Women’s History Month and  honoring the enduring contributions of women to Morris County, New Jersey and the United States. The board adopted the resolution at its March 11, 2026 public meeting.

View the March 2026 Women’s History Month Proclamation

The proclamation highlights the critical role women have played throughout American history — from before the American Revolution through generations of advocacy for education, opportunity and equality — while acknowledging many contributions have gone unrecognized.

That legacy is reflected in the region’s Revolutionary War history, which Morris County is commemorating during America’s 250th anniversary this year. While men served in the Continental Army, women maintained homes, farms and businesses. Morristown, which functioned as a supply depot, encampment, hospital and jail during the war, relied on both prominent figures such as Martha Washington and Eliza Schuyler as well as the largely unrecorded efforts of women known as “camp followers.” These women carried out essential daily tasks for troops such as cooking, cleaning, laundering clothing and caring for sick soldiers, tasks now encoded as official military specialties.

Though rarely named, their labor was vital to sustaining the Continental Army through four harsh winter encampments.

During the winter of 1779-1780, when supply lines were cut off by deep snow, residents from Mendham, Chatham and Hanover mobilized to support troops. Rhonda Farrand helped lead an effort to knit 133 pairs of stockings in just days, aiding soldiers through one of the war’s most difficult periods.

These contributions extended beyond the battlefield, as women continued caring for wounded soldiers and supported their families long after American independence was won.

Following Director Shaw’s presentation of the proclamation, Pam Bennett-Santoro, vice chair of the HSAC Subcommittee on Women, presented the 2026 “Seeds of Change Award” to Theresa Markila of Jefferson Township. The annual award honors Morris County women whose work on the grassroots level has motivated other women to become active in their communities.

Markila, co-founder of Mutual Morris, was honored for building a countywide mutual aid network that has assisted more than 3,000 families since February 2020. Under her leadership, the organization has mobilized up to 100 volunteers at a time to provide groceries, clothing, toiletries, housing-related assistance and other essential support to residents facing hardship.

“The ‘Seeds of Change Award’ is especially fitting because Theresa has planted something that is lasting,” said Bennett-Santoro. “She has helped create a culture of mutual aid, compassion and local responsibility that continues to support vulnerable residents across Morris County.”

Markila’s efforts have been especially impactful for residents facing poverty or the threat of becoming homeless. Through outreach and public fundraising, Mutual Morris has helped stabilize households before crises escalate.

The “Seeds of Change Award,” inspired by the legacy of the late state Sen. Leanna Brown, recognizes women who empower others through leadership and volunteerism. In 1972, Brown became the first woman elected to the Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders and later the first Republican woman elected to the New Jersey State Senate. She was a driving force behind the creation of the Morris County HSAC Subcommittee on Women.

EDISON — New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation President Emily Scharf and her daughter have announced the inaugural recipient of the Scharf Family Scholarship, awarding the honor to Susana Inkoom, a Health Science major at Atlantic Cape Community College and a rising leader in New Jersey Circle K International (CKI).

Scharf, a longtime Kiwanian and former Circle K member, said the scholarship was inspired by her own experience as a student leader.

“When I was in Circle K as a student, NJCKI didn’t have nearly as many scholarships as it offers now,” Scharf said. “I was encouraged by our District Administrator at the time, Ron Weber, to apply for one of the few scholarships available. Applying had never even crossed my mind. My grades were decent, and I was active in CKI, but I always assumed scholarships were out of my reach.”

She said receiving that scholarship became a turning point in her life.

“I took Ron’s advice and applied — and to my surprise, I received my first-ever scholarship,” Scharf said. “From that moment on, everything shifted. I worked harder in CKI and in my academics. As Larry would say, I ‘faked it till I made it.’ Someone I didn’t even know believed I was worth supporting, and that changed the trajectory of my life.”

Now, Scharf said, she is grateful for the opportunity to help support the next generation of leaders.

“Because of continued hard work and the opportunities that followed, I’m now able to pay it forward,” she said. “It means so much to my family and me to invest in one of our future leaders. Circle K invested in me, and now it’s time to invest in a rising leader whose life has been forever changed by the Kiwanis family.”

The Scharf Family Scholarship, funded in partnership with the New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation and the Pfizer Pharmaceuticals CARES Program, will be awarded annually to a deserving CKI member who demonstrates leadership, service, and academic commitment.

The New Jersey District of Kiwanis International Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing youth leadership development, scholarships, and health and welfare programs across New Jersey. The Foundation supports Kiwanis Service Leadership Programs while funding initiatives that improve the lives of children and strengthen communities.

Circle K International is the world’s largest collegiate student-led service organization, with thousands of members on hundreds of campuses worldwide. As the collegiate branch of the Kiwanis family, CKI is dedicated to developing student leaders through service, leadership, and fellowship.

For more information about the New Jersey Kiwanis Foundation, visit the Foundation website or follow the organization on Facebook and Instagram. More information about Circle K International is available through NJ Circle K’s website and social media channels.