Woman’s Club Of Hackensack Leaves A Legacy

Gift Funds Surveillance Cameras For Staff And Eco-Cruises For City Students

 

By Hugh M. Carola

 

In June, the Women’s Club of Hackensack made a very generous donation to Hackensack Riverkeeper in the amount of $2000. According to their wishes, half of the money was used to purchase a digital surveillance system to help us gather evidence against polluters. The other half will provide outdoor environmental education programs for Hackensack school students during the 2005-2006 school year.

“I am very grateful to the Club for their support of two of our core missions: busting polluters and educating our children,” said Captain Bill Sheehan, executive director of Hackensack Riverkeeper. “We will always remember their generous gift.”

The Women’s Club of Hackensack, a respected community institution for 90 years, is disbanding due to lack of new members. As a result, the women liquidated the Club’s assets, including their building on Union Street, and shared the proceeds with non-profit community groups that share their passion for public service.

Since its founding in 1894, the New Jersey Federation of Women’s Clubs has made many indelible marks on the landscape of New Jersey and our region. The Federation was instrumental in the establishment of Douglass College in 1912 and was the driving force behind the preservation of the Palisades and the establishment of the Palisades Interstate Park.

The Hackensack Club was founded in 1914 and almost immediately took to the task of bettering the quality of life for city residents and others. Among the many good works done over the years were the planting of hundreds of trees, its successful advocacy for the establishment of Bergen Regional Medical Center (formerly Bergen Pines Hospital) and untold thousands of hours given by members volunteering at Hackensack University Medical Center.

In more recent years, the Federation and its member Clubs have continued to support and fund a myriad of educational, citizenship, healthcare and environmental initiatives - like saving the Meadowlands.

“One of our first allies was the Federation of Women’s Clubs and the local Clubs here in Bergen County,” recalled Captain Bill. “Even before I began Hackensack Riverkeeper, their members stood with me to save the Meadowlands just like their mothers and grandmothers stood up to save the Palisades.”

Captain Bill is a frequent speaker at local Women’s Club gatherings. To arrange for him or another member of our staff to speak at your next event, contact Hugh Carola at 201-968-0808.