Social Groups That Affect Positive Change - 130 Year Women’s Org Has a Presence In Hopatcong With a Former Corp Exec and Motivational Author

Many professional college grads from the Baby Boomer era are looking to volunteer with worthy nonprofit organizations. The truth is many new policies such as; anti discrimination, equal rights and anti harassment regulations have their origins from local grass roots movements propelled by the voice of volunteers.  With some new found time, retirees and empty nesters today are looking for more involvement in volunteer programs.  They want to ply their business talents towards social activism that benefits schools, colleges, and their local community.

Joining the AAUW (formerly American Association of University Women) of the Sussex County Branch was a match for me.   Membership provided the social activism level I was looking for plus great social company of academic minded women.  Their Saturday morning and weekday evening schedules make it possible for working members to remain active.  Unfortunately, all their meetings were outside of Hopatcong.  However that soon changed with an enrollment of a new branch member.

We knew Sylvia Montero would be a great addition to our branch when she informed the group she had written a book: Make it Your Business - Dare to Climb the Ladder of Leadership.  Sylvia Montero’s early life was spent on a plantation shack in Puerto Rico and the Projects of the Lower East Side of NY.  Despite these obstacles, she became the highest ranking Latina in the history at Pfizer Inc. Retired from Pfizer, she found the perfect home on the shores of Lake Hopatcong.  Sylvia felt inspired to write a book about her experience that condensed a 30+ year career in Human Resources and provided personal advice on how to climb the Corporate Ladder.  We were impressed to have her as a fellow
branch member, but I was elated that she lives in Hopatcong.  She is going to present her book to the public on November 12^th at the Sussex County Main Library. 

Besides Hopatcong having this illustrious author to claim their own, the AAUW Sussex County Branch now has a presence in Hopatcong every second Tuesday of the Month.  Sylvia has graciously offered her home to branch members for Film Night.  Our movie selections center on pertinent cultural and social topics that we discuss afterwards. Relating to the film’s discussion, Sylvia was able to provide her own experience as a business woman traveling to countries that had strict Islamic gender laws.  

Social and community organizations can advocate and affect positive change and AAUW is one of these organizations with women who inspire leadership.  You don’t need to be a Sussex County resident to join our branch, but you do need to have an Associate’s Degree or higher to be an eligible member of AAUW.   Find out more about us, visit the AAUW Sussex County Branch http://www.aauwsussex.org or contact CaroleMonesmith: 973786-6238 or e-mail - cmonesmith@gmail.com

Do you belong to an organization that brings positive changes to the community and is both mentoring and motivational to young people entering a new world? What is your favorite organization?