BOROUGH OF PROSPECT PARK MAYOR KHAIRULLAH AND COUNCILMEMBERS TO HONOR THREE EXEMPLARY WOMEN DURING COUNCIL MEETING FOR WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

PROSPECT PARK, NJ – Mayor Mohamed T. Khairullah and the Borough Council will honor three women who have exemplified devotion to the betterment of the community on Monday, March 26, 2018 at the regular monthly council meeting at the Municipal Building (106 Brown Avenue, Prospect Park, NJ 07508) as a part of the Borough’s Women’s History Month celebration.

The three recipients the governing body will honor include:

• Resident and Local Educator, Ms. Marisol Goenaga whose community involvement began 12 years ago as a volunteer at the Borough community programs and events such as the Camp Hofstra summer camp, Tirck N’ Trunk and the Annual Senior and Veteran’s Thanksgiving Dinner. She is an ESL instructor for ten years at Prospect Park School No. 1 working with students and has helped organize many fundraising efforts on behalf of the PTA, tricky tray for teachers, field trips for students, and community.

• Business Owner Ms. Trenace Ruffin who is licensed cosmologist for 25 years and certified educator for 17 years, Ms. Ruffin owns a beauty salon on North 8^th Street called “Ammi’s Hair Design.” Her community involvement includes supporting public safety, education initiatives, the establishment of local businesses, the mentoring teens and young adults, as well as supporting senior citizens through hospital and nursing home visitation. She also supports food and clothing drives in addition providing to assistance for the homeless and the grieving.

• Resident and Business Owner, Pastor Maggie Gilbert who serves the community through her faith and values. As a young woman, Pastor Maggie opened a cleaning service business, and served her community and church by being an active Sunday school teacher, choir member, and volunteer. In 2002, she opened her thrift store and ministry in Prospect Park. She also ran a food pantry that provided boxes during the Holidays and throughout the year as needed. Sixteen years later, Pastor Maggie continues to lead Walking in the Word Baptist Church, ministering through her thrift store to serve others in the Lord and encourage community involvement.

In reflecting on the importance of highlighting the contributions of these women, Mayor Khairullah feels “Women are the driving force behind historic contributions to the growth and strength of our nation, state, and local communities. Our honorees, Ms. Marisol Goenaga, Ms. Trenace Ruffin, and Pastor Maggie Gilbert embody the very best of Prospect Park and inspire others to create a fair and just society for all.”

For more information on the news, please contact Danielle Ireland-Imhof, Borough Administrator at (973) 790-7902 ext. 532 or irelandd@prospectpark.net.