City of Montclair Township

What is your age and where were you born?  I was born in Long Branch, N.J.  I am 75 years old.

When did you move to Montclair and why?  At the age of two we relocated to Montclair.  I was raised in Montclair and attended the Montclair school system.  At an early age I met and married Robert Nicholas of Montclair and to that union of 52 years we parented and enjoyed raising 4 wonderful children.  All are graduates of Montclair High School, various Colleges and training programs.   They are all adults and engaged in various vocations that allow them to give back to the community.

Are you currently employed?  If so, doing what?  If you had a career, what was it?  I have been employed with St. Vincent’s Hospital, in the housekeeping department, Head Start as an assistant teacher.  I have taken advantage of all that Head Start has to offer and through Head Start training dollars, I have been able to further my education, having received an associate degree, Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, and finally a master’s degree in Business Administration from Rutgers School of Business.  I have gone from an Assistant Teacher, to Head Teacher, a Parent Coordinator, a Deputy Director and finally the Head Start Operations Director from 2007 until my retirement in December 2010.

How are you currently engaged in the community?  Before retiring I had the opportunity to present workshops for parents and staff in the area of positive self-image and parenting classes.  This gave me the opportunity to inspire others to grow to realize their greater potential.  I have presented Exploring Parenting workshops at the Clara Mass Shelter for Battered and Abused Women.  I also led workshops with Head Start parents and pregnant teenagers. I am a member of the Grass Roots Do Drop Inn, Seniors Program and the senior activities coordinator there. I do consultant work for Montclair Child Development’s Head Start Program and other agencies upon request.

What organizations or clubs are you affiliated with or a member of?  I am an active member of the Bright Hope Baptist Church in Montclair, where I am a member of the BHBC Board of Deacons, actively involved with the Scholarship Committee, Woman’s Ministry, I am also the Superintendent of Sunday School.  I am a member of the Grass Roots Do Drop Inn, Seniors Program and senior activities coordinator.

What are some of the most important lessons you feel you have learned throughout your life? It was awesome to see the difference my being involved made in people’s lives.  Because I was able to talk from experience and was able to relate to them on their level.  When one of the parents from my classes named her child after me, I can’t put into words how proud that made me feel.  A few other parents have been inspired and obtained work and left welfare.  They continue to do well.

What is your mantra or words you live by?  I believe in God and know that he will lead me in all things and that my life would not have been what it is today without my trust and faith in him.