The Union County Board of County Commissioners invites all residents to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by attending a special Hispanic Leadership Event, featuring Anna D. Martinez, Director of the New Jersey State Division on Women, as keynote speaker. This free event will take place on Thursday, October 10th at 12:30 p.m. at the UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ, in the Victor M. Richel Student Commons, located at 1033 Springfield Avenue, Cranford.

"We are honored to have Anna Martinez as our guest speaker for this year's Hispanic Leadership event," said Union County Commissioner Chairwoman Kimberly Palmieri-Mouded. "Anna's dedication to serving children, families, and the community is truly inspiring. Her career exemplifies the impact that determination and a passion for public service can have on improving lives. I encourage everyone to register for this important event and hear from Anna's wealth of experience and insight."

Before joining the Department of Children and Family Women's Division in 2018, Anna Martinez made strides on the federal level as part of President Obama's Administration. During this time, Anna served in various roles, including as Chief of Staff for the Office for Victims of Crime, senior advisor to the Associate Attorney General, and policy specialist for the Office of Vice President Joe Biden. Additionally, Anna served as Deputy Political Director for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) and received the U.S. Department of Justice Special Achievement Award for her work and support of voting rights. The New Jersey native is also fluent in Spanish, having completed her Bachelor's degree in Spanish from the University of Virginia and her Master's Degree in Spanish from Columbia University. Anna's work on violence prevention, human trafficking, public safety issues, and advocacy for victims' rights has made her an excellent fit for her current role as the Director of the New Jersey Division on Women.

"As a Latina in public service, I am immensely proud of Anna's achievements. Her leadership not only uplifts women but also serves as a powerful voice for the Latino community," said Union County Commissioner Vice-Chairwoman Lourdes Leon. "Attendees will have the chance to be inspired by an amazing role model and advocate for our Hispanic community."

The Leadership event is free to attend, but pre-registration is required. Interested participants may register at ucnj.org/hhm.

"By highlighting Latino trailblazers like Anna Martinez during Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the strength of leadership combined with the compassion of a teacher," said Union County Commissioner Sergio Granados. "As a true 'shero' in the Latino community, Ms. Martinez exemplifies the public servant we all aspire to be, focusing on preparing the next generation of leaders. This event provides an excellent opportunity to honor her contributions and the positive impact she continues to make in championing the rights and well-being of our community."

This event is funded in part by a grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, part of the Division of Cultural Affairs in the Department of State, and is organized by the Union County Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs, and held in collaboration with UCNJ Union College of Union County, NJ.

"We would like to thank the Office of Cultural and Heritage Affairs for their collaboration in organizing these engaging educational activities," said Union County Commissioner Bette Jane Kowalski, Liaison to the Cultural and Heritage Advisory Board. "They bring our community together and offer the opportunity to learn about each other's histories and backgrounds, helping us embrace the diverse ethnicities and cultures that exist within Union County."

For more information on this or other Cultural and Heritage events, please contact John Prescott, History Programs Coordinator, at 908-436-2912 or by email at [email protected].

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