Please Announce This Updated News. Women Leaders to be Recognized at The Community Chest's 'Girls Night Out'
The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County’s Third Annual 'Girls Night Out' to Recognize Women Leaders
(Eastern Bergen County, New Jersey; February 12, 2025) – The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County celebrates International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month at its third annual ‘Girls Night Out’ on Thursday, March 6 at SEAR House, located at 411 Piermont in Closter, New Jersey, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. This festive evening of style and history will recognize women leaders and raise funds to support programs for women and children.
Women Leaders to be Recognized
The third annual ‘Girls Night Out’ brings together women from all walks of life to experience an evening of connection, entertainment, and impact. This year, The Community Chest will recognize these women leaders for their contributions:
• Senator Holly Schepisi. Senator Holly Schepisi served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly from 2012 until March 25, 2021, when she was sworn in as a member of the New Jersey State Senate. Senator Schepisi represents the 39th Legislative District, which includes twenty-eight municipalities located in Bergen County. She serves as a member of the Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee and the Community and Urban Affairs Committee and has been selected as the Republican Conference Leader. Ms. Schepisi earned a Bachelor's degree in politics and psychology in 1993 from Catholic University of America and a law degree from Fordham University Law School in 1997.
• Assemblywoman Shama Haider. Shama Haider started her activism in Pakistan, as a college student protesting against military dictatorship. She received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Punjab in Pakistan. After moving to the United States in 1977, she settled down in the Borough of Tenafly in Bergen County, New Jersey. During her professional career, she helped to fundraise for a non-profit focusing on funding arts programs for schools. Assemblywoman Haider became an active member of her community by participating in municipal boards and parent teacher associations. She was elected to local council in
both 2001 and 2015. Most recently, Assemblywoman Haider made history by becoming the
first Muslim American elected to serve in the state legislature. In her second term, she is a Deputy Majority leader and Chair of the Assembly Children, Families and Food Security Committee. She also serves on the Assembly Health and Appropriations Committees.
• Janel Johnston. Janel Johnston is the Community Liaison with the Englewood Public School District. She has extensive experience in emergency and affordable housing working at the Bergen Family Center in Englewood, The Quadel Newark Housing Authority in Newark, and the Housing Authority of Bergen County in Hackensack. In 2009, she founded the nonprofit organization, N The Meantime in Englewood, New Jersey, offering children and teens in the city afterschool academics and activities. Johnston received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Bloomfield College in Bloomfield, New Jersey.
Fashion Show and Program
The ‘Girls Night Out’ program features a live fashion show by MaxMara of its spring and summer designs, a women’s history presentation spotlighting leaders of the past and present in the community, mini makeovers and raffle prizes. Attendees, who register by February 15, may join a raffle to participate as a model in the MaxMara runway.
These leaders in the community will walk the catwalk and model the latest fashion styles:
· Helen Archontou, MSW, LSW. CEO, YWCA of Northern New Jersey
· Teresa McMahon, LCADC, MBA, LSCW. Vice President of Vantage Health System
· Vivi Nyguen, RN. Board member, West Side Infant Day Care
· Ellen Park, Assemblywoman. New Jersey Legislative District 37
· Dekyi Tenzin Tsotsong. Strategy and Finance Consultant and member of The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County’s Board of Managers
Emcee Gillian Stollwerk Garrett from Gilly's Organics will present the evening's program and highlights, with DJ TwinFlame providing the music. Guests will enjoy a variety of delicious hors d'oeuvres, wine and beer, and dessert.
Tickets and Sponsorship Opportunities
Tickets, $125 per person, may be purchased online at https://tinyurl.com/GirlsNightOut2025, or send a check made out to The Community Chest, located at 122 South Van Brunt Street, Englewood, New Jersey 07631. A range of sponsorship opportunities are also available with various marketing opportunities at https://tinyurl.com/GirlsNightOut2025. To date, sponsors of ‘Girls Night Out” include Amie AbuRustum, Vantage Health System, Inc., Karin Erdtmann, Suzan Gordon, Emily Yang, Edna Kominsky, Rena Moy-Chang, Ellen Skowronski, Claudine Colmenar, Kathy Shapiro, Lisa Donnini, Jami Toolen, Joyce Rothschild, Nicole Davis, and Shelly Wimpfheimer.
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
With the motto "Neighbors Helping Neighbors", The Community Chest of Eastern Bergen County leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make communities stronger and benefit the people of eastern Bergen County in New Jersey. The founders' vision was to fill a chest with individuals and businesses' generous contributions and to empty the contents by awarding competitive grants to support worthy projects led by local nonprofit agencies in the area demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local residents. The Chest provides support and awards grants to vetted nonprofits that strengthen communities and benefit people in need in the area. For further information about ‘Girls Night Out’ or The Community Chest, visit the organization’s website, www.thecommunitychestebc.org, or call 201-568-7474.
About The Community Chest
Founded in 1933, The Community Chest, a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization headquartered in Englewood, New Jersey, has supported local not-for-profit agencies for 91 years. The Community Chest leads initiatives and supports nonprofits that make our communities stronger and benefit people in need in eastern Bergen County. Each year, The Community Chest raises funds and allocates them to agencies demonstrating the capacity to provide services to local citizens. The organization also provides coordinating and planning services in its communities, serving as a bridge between agencies and organizations and investing in the stability and quality of the service network.
The Community Chest's Board of Managers is comprised of community leaders dedicated to improving the lives of neighbors in need. People interested in volunteering with the organization may contact Executive Director Dr. Shelly Wimpfheimer at (201) 568-7474. For further information about The Chest, visit www.thecommunitychestebc.org/ or contact (201) 568-7474. Stay updated about the organization’s activities on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Photo Caption: Assemblywoman Shama Haider. Photo credit: Courtesy of Assemblywoman Shama Haider
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