Community Chest Accepting Applications for Leadership Awards

The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County is accepting applications for its fifth annual High School Young Women's Leadership Awards. This year, seven awards will be given to outstanding students identifying as female, enrolled in their junior or senior years, and residing and/or attending a public or private a high school in eastern Bergen County, New Jersey.

Applicants living in and/or attending a school in any of these towns may apply: Alpine, Bergenfield, Closter, Cresskill, Demarest, Dumont, Englewood, Englewood Cliffs, Harrington Park, Haworth, Northvale, Norwood, Old Tappan, Rockleigh and Tenafly. The deadline to apply is Tuesday, March 1, 2022.

New Partnership Announced

With the common goal of supporting and enriching this innovative Young Women’s Leadership award, The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County announces a partnership with Stacy Esser and SEG to expand the leadership program. "Thanks to their generous donation, The Chest increased the annual awards and expanded them to a larger group of recipients. Utilizing the skillset of Stacy Esser and SEG, The Chest is planning educational programs to enhance the skills of young women leaders in our community," said Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer, Executive Director, The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County.

Candidates will have demonstrated a passion for leadership, compassion, innovation and the courage of their convictions in the community. They are required to complete an online application, provide a resume, and present two letters recommendation. Finalists will be notified and asked to participate in an interview with the application review committee.

The Community Chest's High School Senior Young Women's Leadership Awards provide a $5,000 award each to two finalists. Two runners up will also be awarded $1,000 each. High school seniors, who identify as female, may complete an online application.

The Chest is also giving a Junior Young Woman's Leadership Award. Three first place finalists will each receive a $500 award and an opportunity to participate in an internship with a local nonprofit during the school year or summer. Applicants must complete and submit an online application. Through a highly competitive process, applications will be reviewed by an esteemed group of women leaders, who have volunteered to judge the applications. The winners receive a certificate memorializing their award to include in their college admissions packet. They are also invited to attend a celebration and meet local women leaders from the public and private sectors.

The Legacy of the Elizabeths

The leadership award honors the legacy of the three Elizabeths -- Elizabeth Cutter Morrow, Elizabeth Morrow Morgan, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. During the Great Depression, Elizabeth Cutter Morrow, an Englewood resident, became the founding board chair of The Community Chest. Elisabeth Morrow Morgan, the founder of The Elisabeth Morrow School, grew up in Englewood. Tenafly resident Elizabeth Cady Stanton was a leader in the suffragist movement.

Support

The Community Chest welcomes donations from the public to recognize the work of these young women. Contributions of any amount to support the awards may be sent by check with payment made out to The Community Chest, located at 122 South Van Brunt Street, Englewood, New Jersey 07631. Visit The Chest's website for more information about the Young Woman's Leadership Award and the organization's mission and work.

For further information about the Young Woman's Leadership Award, contact Executive Director Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474.