Jan Nordland
Whereas, Jan Nordland, a community activist, has volunteered and helped out so many people and organizations throughout Jersey City; she has used her kind heart to help so many people in need. As a friendly neighbor, she is the one to help shovel her neighbor’s sidewalk or bring a turkey to senior resident or hold hands to someone who has lost a loved one.
As Vice President of Hamilton Park Neighborhood Association and Volunteer for the Hamilton Park Clean Up Group, she has organized volunteer cleanups at Hamilton Park even if it meant that she and Rodney Hadley, Director of DPW, rolled up their pants to clean the fountains. Every week during the summer, you can find her with gloves pulling weeds with the Hamilton Park Volunteer Greens Group. She would decorate Trees for the holidays that are dedicated to the memory of loved ones when no one even knew these trees existed.
As one of the founding members of the Hamilton Park Conservancy, she has helped organized family and pet events such as the Halloween Maze and the Hamilton BBQ.
As one of the Downtown JC Watch Blockwatch Resource leaders, she would go throughout Jersey City and meet with people and help them organize blockwatches with their Community Police Unit. Jan is constantly working closely with the police by providing invaluable tips. Her assistance alone has led to several police arrests. Jan is practically her own police unit.
As a Volunteer & Chair Fundraising at The Historic Jersey City & Harsimus Memorial Cemetery, she has helped preserve this beautiful historic Cemetery. She is a member of the St. Ann’s Home Gala Committee and is a great supporter for its residents. For over six years, Jan has been blessed by a wonderful partner, Joan Koehler – a long time Jersey City resident – who loves and supports all that Jan does. They were sweethearts when they were in their twenties and were recently reunited six years ago.
Jan values her family and can be seen taking care of her 96 yr. old mother-in law, Sue Koehler. She is also very proud of her identical twin sister, Jean C. Nordland, Advertising Executive from Old Bridge and her brother, Dr. W. Peter Nordland, an Esthetic Dental Surgeon in LaJolla, CA. Jan is ceaseless in her mission to be a part of the solution and not just be one of those people who stand by and complain. We are extremely grateful to have Jan Nordland as one of 2011 Women Of Action.
Cara Birnbaum
Whereas, Cara is a freelance writer who grew up in Highland Park, NJ and attended Rutgers University. She fell in love with Jersey City and moved here with her husband, Jake. Cara lives in the Hamilton Park area with her husband and her daughter June, now age three. Her sister, Amy, and her family also chose Jersey City as their home and live right around the corner from Cara.
Cara has worked for various publishers including NJ Monthly Magazine, Young Miss, Cosmopolitan, and Allure. She has been a freelance writer since 2005, writing for various magazines and has also written a couple of books. In addition, she teaches magazine writing for Mediabistro, in New York City.
For Cara, living in such a friendly, walkable city has kept her feeling connected and sane during her daughter's early years. Many people easily recognize her friendly smile as she walks everywhere with her daughter. Cara has created a network of friendships with residents and businesses alike. She is an active member of JC Moms.
Cara was first drawn to Jersey City by a small business called Madame Claude Cafe, which is why she never forgot that small businesses are what make a wonderful city and diverse neighborhoods. To this end Cara launched an initiative to bring recognition and patronage from the community to these businesses. This initiative called Make My City began in 2010 with over 50 small businesses partnering up with JC Moms and resident groups; created a web site; and a coalition of volunteers. Cara’s desire was to create a map for people so they, too, can walk the wonderful streets of Jersey City and enjoy its uniqueness. Those businesses that participated offered discounts and free events for a week long celebration. Cara’s goal for her city and community helped to make the city more inviting to small businesses, in turn making the city a friendlier, safer, more vibrant place to live.
We honor Cara for her hard work, ingenuity, and service to her community as one of 2011 Women in Action.
Leda Duif Shumbris
Whereas Leda Duif Shumbris was born in London, United Kingdom, raised in Arequipa, Peru, she chose Jersey City to marry her husband, David Shumbris, here at City Hall in 2005, chose Jersey City to be their home, the home of their 2 year old son, Luca, and the home of their expected baby girl in early June 2011. In January 2011, Leda became a U.S. Citizen and is eager to vote in her first Jersey City Board of Education elections in April.
Leda received her BA (honors) in Modern Languages (Spanish & Italian) at the University of Westminster, London, UK and her Masters in Science in Latin American Politics, Institute of Latin American Studies, University of London, UK. She was a Business Development Director with Fitch Ratings and later became Director of South American Explorers, a non-profit organization in Lima, Peru. Recently, she worked for the past 5 years as a Spanish English Interpreter with the International Institute of New Jersey here in Jersey City. Leda also Co-Produced a documentary film, “Soy Andina” with Lucuma Films in New York City.
She started her own business in Jersey City, Max Organix, LLC, which provides wholesale organic cotton apparel for infant and toddler boys. She is currently attending a workshop series to complete certification in “Sustainable Business” presented by the Sustainable Business Committee of Columbia Business School Alumni Club.
But for all of her endeavors and education, we are most impressed by committed to improving her neighborhood, she is a Board Member of the Harsimus Cove Association and serves as their Treasurer, she is Vice President of the 4th/5th Street Block Association which sponsored a Halloween event with JC Moms which drew over 1,000 residents to 5th Street. As an active member of Jersey City Moms, she helps new moms acclimate to their Jersey City surroundings for their little ones. Prior to her becoming a U.S. Citizen, she was still politically active by encouraging people to go out and vote in the last Board of Ed Elections even though she, herself, could not vote. She is extremely in love with her husband, David, because he is a hands-on father which allows her to be an activist in Jersey City. We are very happy that she is so much a part of our community and wish her continued success as one of the 2011 Women of Action.
Source : http://stevenfulop.com/
