History-Making Glen Rock Mayor Jacqueline Kort Dead At 94

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Jacqueline Kort made history in 1991 when she was elected as the first woman mayor of Glen Rock. Kort served two terms in the borough's top role, but her local legacy runs much deeper than that.

The history-making former mayor died earlier this month on Aug. 8. She was 94.

According to an obituary, Kort was a lifelong resident of Glen Rock, and worked in multiple roles which supported the community. Kort taught in the special education program at Glen Rock schools for three decades, and was the president of the Glen Rock Back to School program.

Prior to her 1991 election, Kort served on the city council and planning board.

According to Northjersey.com, Kort initially had to lobby the council to run her for a vacant seat along with another woman. At the time, the Republican council members were concerned about the prospects of running two women on the same ticket.

Both eventually won seats on the council.

In a fitting show of progress, the publication reports, Kort lost reelection in 1999 when the Democratic Party ran two women against her own all-woman ticket.

A founding member of the Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church, Kort presented the scripture reading at the first communion service that was led by a woman pastor in the church's history.

A service was held for Kort at the church on Aug. 15. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to the Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

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