Burlington County Freeholders announced nine winners of the Burlington County Advisory Council on Women’s Outstanding Women of Burlington County Award.
The winners, who are chosen in eight areas of exceptional service, plus a student scholarship award, will be honored at a banquet Thursday, March 29 at Merion Caterers in Cinnaminson. Scheduled to receive awards in the following categories are:
Education
Kathleen Gillespie Hennelly, of Cinnaminson, has been one of Cinnaminson High School's Business Technology teachers since September 1997, currently a department supervisor for Business, Technology, Art and Music. She is a decorated, retired Captain in the United States Navy who was stationed at a weapons depot during Operation Desert Storm, and was called to active duty to run the Naval Petroleum Office during Operation Enduring Freedom. She worked in numerous capacities for the Departments of Navy, Defense and Energy, and with the Departments of Justice, Transportation, and Homeland Security. She has testified before Congress and NATO's Military Budget Committee, as well as worked with senior leadership in the Department of Defense.
Kathleen Hennelly is the Director of Interact, Cinnaminson High School's community service club sponsored by Rotary International. Through her help and leadership, over 150 Interact students have started an annual talent show to benefit clean water and provide shelter in Haiti, helped cleanup local parks, put on an annual dance for the ARC of Burlington County, and fundraised for the American Cancer Society and local needy families. Her students placed first in the New Jersey Institute of Technology Web Design Competition in 2008 and 2011. She is very active volunteering in Philadelphia with her fellow Penn class of 1980 alumni, has been recognized for her contributions by the Wharton Women's Association, and was recently selected for the honor of carrying the alumni flag at Penn's upcoming 256th commencement.
She is the co-author of two editions of "Learning in Motion", collections of therapeutic activities for use in schools and at home to help treat educational, behavioral, social, sensory and developmental needs of children. She has conducted formal presentations numerous times to teachers, counselors and
parents and professional organizations regarding programming and treatment strategies for children on the Autistic spectrum. Pat has also co-authored "FACES- Fun Activities to Connect, Engage, and Socially Succeed"- a book and customizable computer based games to help developmentally impaired and autistic spectrum children learn to portray and interpret facial expressions as well as interact on a much more perceptive basis.
Social Services
Theresa Tobey, of Medford, is the Executive Director CONTACT of Burlington County and has grown her agency’s 24-hour Crisis Helpline services to include individual and unique program areas. Theresa works tirelessly to secure funding and community support for CONTACT and its mission to reduce suffering in Burlington County. Theresa completed CONTACT's Initial Training Class for helpline volunteers in January 1978 and worked the overnight shift from 11 pm to 7 am, the most difficult shift to fill. She continues to train incoming volunteers and still serves overnight shifts to this day.
She was recruited in 2000 to become the Executive Director of the organization where she had been volunteering on the help lines and as a trainer for 22 years. Under Theresa's guidance CONTACT has developed programs and collaborations such as TeenLine, the area's only teen-to-teen peer helpline, PetFriends, a grief support line for pet owners, Lifeline, the National Suicide Prevention hotline and 2-1-1, New Jersey’s statewide information and referral network. Theresa has given countless hours to CONTACT and supports numerous other charities, including the United Way of Burlington County and Kate's Place, a program for mentally challenged young adults.
Anne has served with many volunteer organizations. She has been involved with Canine Companions for Independence raising two assistance puppies. She is a member of the
First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Holly, where she served on the Board of Deacons and chaired the Thanksgiving Basket Distribution for many years. In addition, Anne served on the Board of the Burlington Mall Ministry, where she headed fundraising activities. In 2011, Anne joined the Boards of Bridge of Hope National and Bridge of Hope Burlington County which works with homeless mothers and their children. She is currently chairing the Women of Hope Fundraising Drive on the National Level to raise $10,000 before March 31, 2012.
Journalism
Marianne Aleardi, of Moorestown, is editor and co-owner of SJ Magazine and has demonstrated a commitment to promoting the contributions of women throughout Southern New Jersey through her editorial coverage. Ms. Aleardi has highlighted noteworthy women throughout Burlington County and has drawn attention to women who are not well-known but are worthy of recognition. Under her leadership, the magazine has also tackled stories she hopes prompted discussions on women's issues. Last year, she ran a story about how today's young women view feminism differently than women of past generations, and introduced the growing trend in SJ of female philanthropists. She established contests like "SJ's Top Teachers" and "Cool Moms" to showcase the admirable work of women in Southern New Jersey.
Ms. Aleardi serves as a role model and mentor to young women in SJ, often speaking at high schools and youth groups, and hosting interns at the magazine throughout the year. She invites the interns to share her office so they get an up-close-and personal look at how a woman runs a business.
Previously an instructor in the department of Molecular Genetics and
Microbiology at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School of UMDNJ, Mitchell-Williams went on to receive her medical degree from the same institution. She completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Cooper University Hospital and stayed on to join the faculty practice. Dr. Mitchell-Williams joined CMSRU in September of 20I0 after serving in a similar role at Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She remains an active member of the Cooper Hospital clinical staff. She has been serving in Burlington and Camden county communities for the past 15 years and has been involved in program development for underrepresented and financially disadvantaged students in the areas of engineering, science and medicine for over 25 years.
Outstanding Student
Gina Tomasetti, of Edgewater Park will graduate from Burlington City High School, and select among the schools to which she has been accepted to pursuer a four year degree.
She is the president of her senior class, and has participated in several organizations and activities such as the National Honor Society, the high school representative to the Burlington City School Board, the school's World Language Club and is the school's liaison for the HIB program. Every spring, she is an active member in the County's Youth in Government program. She writes for the School newspaper and is a part of the Peer Transition Program. She also assists with crafts at the Burlington City Library and volunteers at Saint Stephen's for senior citizen dinners.
