Belleville Residents Honored For International Women’s Day

BELLEVILLE, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of Belleville Township. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site.

Emerging poets, advocates for children with special needs, youth sports coaches and other amazing women were recognized for their myriad contributions to Belleville and beyond in honor of International Women’s Day on March 8.

The highlight of the Township’s annual celebration came when Belleville’s Spirit of Empowerment Award was given to Stacy Quinn, who has become a tireless advocate for stroke survivors after suffering from one seven years ago.

Quinn created mystrokeofhope.com to bring awareness, education and an uplifting message about stroke survivors.

Quinn and 10 other women were honored at the March 8 Township Council meeting, where Deputy Mayor Naomy DePeña introduced each for being a hero – if not often an unsung hero – to the community and in the home.

“I love telling the stories of women because I believe we do things many times not for the recognition,” she said. “We are unsung heroes. We hold together the homes. We hold together the marriages, the children. We kiss boo-boos. We bring the bacon home and we cook it. We do so much. My goal is to celebrate you; to let you know that what you do is seen.”

Quinn was chosen for Belleville’s Spirit of Empowerment Award by last year’s International Women’s Day honorees.

Quinn speaks about stroke awareness on local radio programs, delivers keynote addresses at events for the American Heart Association and manages her own social media channels, all while working as Director, Global Marketing Division at Merck.

She also serves on the Northern New Jersey American Heart Association Board, is a New Jersey Go Red for Women Survivor Ambassador and is the Survivor Ambassador for the 2022 Northern NJ CycleNation event to promote physical activity and stroke awareness.

The other women recognized during Belleville’s International Women’s Day celebration included Diana Atehortua, Anne Bennet, Carol Cassale, Mia Guzman, Selena Kossup, Christine Lamparello, Michelle Palmer, Nelsy Payano, Carol Pomponio and Jodi Velez.

DePeña noted that women holding an elected position were not considered for the honor, which seeks to reward those women whose work often goes overlooked.

“Even if no one has told you that what you’re doing is amazing and no one has seen what you have done, there is an impact, an eternity in what you do, and I truly believe that,” she said. “You impact their lives. So, I hope you take this important moment to celebrate your own.”

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