Presented by the South Brunswick Historical Society
March is Women’s History Month and the 102nd anniversary of the ratification of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote.
If you know any women who contribute to the fabric of the community of South Brunswick, send us their names so we can honor them!
Trailblazers and Difference Makers
Debra Johnson
Debra M.S. Johnson immigrated to the United States from Jamaica in 1970 and moved to South Brunswick in 1972 In 1994 Debra became Township Committeewoman …
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Joan Luckhardt Ph.D.
Joan Luckhardt lived in the village of Dayton in South Brunswick. Luckhardt taught at Rutgers, William Paterson University, and was part of the faculty of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.
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Anne Zeman
Anne Zeman is an author who has spent her career in the publishing field. Helped found and is the current Chair of the Kingston Village Advisory Committee
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Carolyn McCollum
Carolyn McCallum was the first woman mayor of South Brunswick. Ms. McCallum has been a resident of South Brunswick since 1959.
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Making the World a Better Place
Ellen Gambatese
Ellen Marie Bertsch was born in Paterson, grew up in Wayne, and, after marrying Frank Gambatese, raised five children in West Paterson.
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Grace Plater
Grace Plater became a Kendall Park resident in 1963. Became civically involved by bringing pies to welcome new residents in 1967.
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Dr. Genevieve Kumapley
Dr. Genevieve Kumapley is the Founder and Executive Director of MyGOAL Autism. MyGOAL Autism is an organization that exists to help people and families facing autism.
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Joyce Mehta
Has served as commissioner on the South Brunswick Commission on Women and is a past president and former member of the South Brunswick Board of Education.
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The Creative Side and the Arts
Virginia “Ginny” Kraft
With her husband, Mark, built the South Brunswick High School music program into a robust, nationally recognized and award-winning program over the past nearly 40 years with the District.
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Anna Quindlen
Anna Quindlen is a 1970 graduate of South Brunswick High School and a 1974 graduate of Barnard College.
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Stephanie Barbetti
Moved to Kendall Park in 1959. She postponed her interest in painting in order to raise five children who were close in age. When she was in her 50’s she resumed painting and received a scholarship to the Mason Gross School of the Arts.
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Joyce Greenberg Lott
Born in 1938 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She earned her BA Degree at Douglass College in 1976, and a Masters of Arts Degree at Rutgers University in 1979.
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Scholars and Educators
Gilda Gildenberg
Ms. Gildenberg wanted to become a writer. Her parents wanted her to become a doctor. She went to Hunter College and earned a degree in Food Sciences.
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Gloria Brabson
Volunteered for the Monmouth Junction First Aid Squad during World War II. Worked as a teacher in South Brunswick from 1941-1980.
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Katherine Clayton
Katherine Kenny Clayton was born in 1918 in a farm house at the corner of Stouts Lane and Ridge Road in Monmouth Junction. She lived her entire 98 years in the area. She married Charles Clayton and raised a family on land where the new South Brunswick High School is located. She had two children–Karen Clayton Bang and Gary Clayton.
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Azra Baig
Came to South Brunswick from Franklin Park in December 2001. Is a registered nurse who works at the New Jersey Department of Health as a Project Specialist. Has worked as an ER Nurse and a School Nurse in three school districts. Worked as a freelance news reporter.
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Doris Curran
Mrs. Doris Oertel Curran was born in Browntown, New Jersey. She moved with her family to Dayton in 1916. She earned her teaching degree from Trenton State Teachers College in 1932. Her first teaching job was in the old four-room Dayton School. She was in charge of 47 students crammed into her first classroom.