Former Tennis Pro Coming To Morristown Celebration Of Women On Sunday

Update: The event was rescheduled to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 20, so it wouldn't conflict with the postponed Morris County St. Patrick's Day Parade. The speaker list has also changed. See the event page.

Original article:

MORRISTOWN, NJ — Not many towns can say they have a groundbreaking former tennis player and an acclaimed chef who's made her fair share of TV appearances. But Leslie Allen and Leia Gaccione will be two of the trailblazers featured in the "Celebration of Women First" in Morristown.

The Women's History Month event at 11 a.m. March 19 in front of the Morristown Town Hall (200 South St.). Click here for the event page.

Allen, who lives in Morristown, joined the Women's Tennis Association tour in 1977. In 1981, she won the Avon Championships in Detroit, becoming the first Black woman to win a significant pro-tennis tournament since Althea Gibson in 1958. Related article: Morristown Resident Looks Back On Making History Through Tennis

Gaccione owns the South+Pine American Eatery in Morristown. The chef has appeared on several TV programs, including "Iron Chef America," "Beat Bobby Flay," "Chopped" and, most recently, "Top Chef." Gaccione also hosted "Her Name Is Chef," a documentary that spotlighted six culinary "sheroes."

The event will also feature Dover Mayor Carolyn Blackman; Leslie Bensley, founder of the Morris County Tourism Bureau; Donna Guariglia, of USA Hockey; Donna Pepe, a former Johnson & Johnson executive; girls in STEM advocate Beth Krawczuk; Morristown Administrator Jillian Barrick; Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi; and more.

A performance by Dance Innovations, music and poetry will round out the celebration.

Sponsors include the League of Women Voters of the Morristown Area, the American Association for University Women, Madison Chapter and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Morristown Alumnae Chapter.

“I can’t think of a better way to celebrate Women’s History Month than joining the League of Women’s Voters at the NJ Women’s First event," Bensley said, "where they will recognize the positive and vital role of women in Morris County who have made their own history by achieving success by breaking boundaries and glass ceilings."

The event is free and open to the public. No registration is needed.

Thanks for reading. Have a news tip? Email josh.bakan@patch.com. Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter and follow the Morristown Patch Facebook page.