By Inside Warren Staff

In celebration of Women’s History Month, Inside Warren asked a cross-section of people in the county for their suggestions for the women who are making a difference in the county. Many outstanding names were recommended; in the end, the committee chose seven that it felt met the criteria that it established. The criteria for this year included points such as impact involving issues of COVID, involvement in expanded community projects besides their main focus, and ensuring that their organization’s messages were clearly being heard, as well as impact in the community in general.  

Jill Zinckgraf

As the Executive Director of the Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault Crisis Center, Jill and her team are huge advocates for women and families in crisis. DASACC has been experiencing a much higher than typical level of families in need of protection, in part, because of COVID related issues, and has been working with community partners to find suitable housing for those in need. Jill’s leadership around the county—and state—is widely recognized. In addition to her role with DASACC, Jill is active with the Rotary Club in Hackettstown and other community-based organizations. 

Helene Meissner

As the Director of NORWESCAP’s Food Bank, Helene is tasked with ensuring that hundreds of families a year are fed. With the COVID crisis, that task has been even more challenging. Kudos to Helene and her team for meeting that challenge and for everything they do in general. So many families rely on their help. Additionally, Helene is active in various community groups, including the Kiwanis Club of Phillipsburg.

Dr. Rosalie Lamonte

The Interim Executive County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Lamonte has overseen the huge task of getting children back in schools during the pandemic. While other school districts around the state have struggled to open their doors to students, Warren County schools, while there have certainly been some issues and challenges, have pretty much been able to get students into classrooms as much as possible. 

Melanie Thiel

The Executive Director of the Washington Business Improvement District has been a major advocate for Borough businesses, highlights many of their activities on social media to an expanded audience, and has provided up-to-date information on grant and other programs to its members. In addition, Melanie serves on the Board of Directors of the Arc of Warren County and is on the county’s Economic Development Committee.

Lori Ciesla 

While Lori may be new to the Warren County Board of Commissioners she is in a position to make a difference moving forward. It has been a long time since a woman was on the county board. To find the last, you need to go back to 2000 when there were two women on the board! Technically, though, Ann Stone was the last female freeholder. That year she lost the election to Michael Doherty. Also in that election Susan Dickey was elected Surrogate. She stepped down in December, replaced by John DiMaio. Stone remained in office until the end of the year.    

Joyce Estey

Although Joyce may not be a household name in parts of the county, certainly in the Greater Hackettstown-Washington area she is the go-to person for local news at WRNJ Radio. The longtime News Director rarely misses a story, be it breaking news or soft news. During the election season Joyce’s on-air debates are a must listen and few politicians skip the opportunity to be on them. Ones that do skip them often regret it. To take a page out of the mail service, not rain, snow or sleet stops Joyce from going on the air with the news of the day.

Holly Mackey

As the Warren County Clerk Holly faced the daunting task this past November of overseeing the challenging full vote by mail process as ordered by the N.J. governor due to the COVID crisis. From setting up the process in-county, to the outgoing mailings and ultimately the counting of the ballots, Holly and her team overall did an awesome job under hugely stressful pressure and circumstances.