Moving Forward Together: Speakers Highlight Unity and Positivity during 13th Annual Women's History Month Celebration
Monday, March 24, 2025
Senior Director, Communications and External Relations
973-200-1099
KME@BerkeleyCollege.edu
13th ANNUAL BERKELEY COLLEGE WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION
Photo Caption: Representative Nellie Pou, Congresswoman, 9th District (far left), speaks during Berkeley College’s 13th Annual Women’s History Month celebration, “Moving Forward Together – Positively,” held on Friday, March 7, 2025. Pou was the first Latina to represent New Jersey in Congress.
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Leaders in business, education, and government encouraged attendees to embrace change and stay open to new perspectives during Berkeley College’s 13th Annual Women’s History Month celebration, “Moving Forward Together – Positively.” The event, which featured remarks by Representative Nellie Pou, Congresswoman, 9th District, was held on Friday, March 7, 2025, at Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ.
“The theme of our event this year is ‘Moving Forward Together – Positively,’ ” said Teri Duda, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Berkeley College. “This was a wonderful event filled with great sharing that left all of those who attend with renewed energy and optimism.”
Photo Caption (L to R): Teri Duda, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Berkeley College and Representative Nellie Pou, Congresswoman, 9th District, during Berkeley College’s 13th Annual Women’s History Month celebration, “Moving Forward Together – Positively,” held on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Pou, the first Latina to represent New Jersey in Congress, encouraged women to stay engaged in current events.
“Our future is right here,” Pou said, addressing Berkeley College students in the audience. “This room today reflects a very diverse group of people. We want opportunity for every single one of our students. For every single one of our residents.”
Photo Captions (L to R): Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College; Representative Nellie Pou, Congresswoman, 9th District; and Marjorie Perry, LHD, CEO, MZM Construction, speak during Berkeley College’s 13th Annual Women’s History Month celebration, “Moving Forward Together – Positively,” held on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College, shared the College’s history, from its beginnings as a secretarial school for women to current offerings that include certificates, associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degree programs.
“For 94 years, as our students and programs have evolved, Berkeley College has remained committed to its mission of empowering each student to achieve lifelong success,” Recinos said. “This history continues to inform our belief that bringing women’s voices to the forefront is a vital part of building an equitable society. As we march ahead, we seek to do so while lifting each other up.”
Marjorie Perry, LHD, CEO, MZM Construction and author of “SUCCESS! Grit, Guts & Integrity,” delivered a keynote address about the importance of embracing collaboration and change.
“Stay open to new perspectives,” Perry said. “You need to know the other side of the conversation. You must hear other perspectives so you can chart your course.”
Photo Caption (L to R): Danielle Ireland-Imhof, Passaic County Clerk; Zoila Cassanova, Esq., Passaic County Surrogate; Cynthia Atkins, EdD, pastor, professor, and consultant; Marjorie Perry, LHD, CEO, MZM Construction; Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39); Diane Recinos, EdD, President of Berkeley College; Representative Nellie Pou, Congresswoman, 9th District; Gail Gordon, Esq., Commissioner, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and Trustee, Hackensack Meridian Health Network; Laurie Newell, PhD, Superintendent, Paterson Public Schools; and Yvette Roland, Chief of Staff, Senator Benjie Wimberly, pose before Berkeley College’s 13th Annual Women’s History Month celebration, “Moving Forward Together – Positively,” held on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Cynthia Atkins, EdD
Pastor, Professor, and Consultant
“Women have a special place in the world. Unity is the importance of solidarity and living together in peace.”
Gail Gordon, Esq.
Commissioner, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and Trustee, Hackensack Meridian Health Network
“What I would tell my younger self is what other people think of you doesn’t really matter. And as you get older, I think you learn that more.”
Laurie Newell, PhD
Superintendent, Paterson Public Schools
“I fully, firmly believe we lift as we climb. You’re never too young and you’re never too old to be a leader.”
Yvette Roland
Chief of Staff, Senator Benjie Wimberly
“It’s always thinking about what you’re doing and who you are doing it for. I believe in the power of shared experiences and the strength that comes from uplifting one another.”
Senator Holly Schepisi (R-39)
“We all face challenges. How are you going to use that experience to become a stronger, better person yourself, as well as to help those around you?”
About Berkeley College
Berkeley College, founded in 1931, is a career-focused institution accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education that offers students Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Associate’s degree and Certificate programs in more than 20 career fields. The College also offers Continuing Education programs to enhance career credentials.
Berkeley College has campuses in New York City and in Newark, Woodbridge, and Woodland Park, NJ, with more than 4,000 students enrolled. In addition, Berkeley College Online® serves a global population. U.S. News & World Report has named Berkeley College among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Programs and among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans for 12 consecutive years. Berkeley College is also ranked among the Best Regional Colleges/Universities in the North in the 2025 edition of the U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges survey. The website address is https://BerkeleyCollege.edu.
The mission of Berkeley College is to empower each student to achieve lifelong success.
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