Ten Burlington County women will be recognized for their leadership, achievements and service to their communities during this year’s 2024 Outstanding Women of Burlington County Awards Reception.
For more than two decades the Burlington County Commissioners and Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council have honored county women for their contributions to elevating women and improving local communities. This year’s recipients will be recognized on Sept. 17 at a reception at the Riverton Country Club. The reception will provide opportunities for friends, family and community members to celebrate the often unknown or unpublicized accomplishments of women in our communities. It will begin at 6 PM.
“For far too long, the contributions of women were downplayed or ignored, so it’s gratifying to help lead a county that is home to so many outstanding women and to celebrate women, their achievements and community service,” said Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson, who serves as liaison to the Women’s Advisory Council. “Each of these women has their own unique story and background that has had significant and lasting impacts on Burlington County.”
This year’s honorees are:
Business Leadership: Mariel Giletto, a top attorney with the law firm of Flaster Greenberg specializing in business and corporate law. Giletto has counseled a broad range of businesses from small, local businesses and startups to large, publicly traded companies. She is also the chair of the Rancocas Woods Business Association in Mount Laurel and a member of the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.
Community Service and Volunteerism: Pastor Darlene Trappier, founder and executive director of Beacon of Hope, a Mount Holly-based nonprofit group that provides food assistance, clothing and sheltering to people without homes, along with others in need. Trappier and Beacon of Hope also assist residents with life skills and nutritional training, re-entry services and holiday dinner baskets and toy donations.
Diversity and Inclusion: Malikah Morris, Deputy Director of the Burlington County Department of Human Services and the chair of the Burlington County Minority and Equality Rights Task Force (MERT). In both roles, Morris has demonstrated outstanding leadership and helped oversee the delivery of critical services to Burlington County’s most vulnerable residents. She assisted with the creation and operations of the Burlington County Housing Hub and has also been integral to the County’s food insecurity programs, community outreach and advocacy initiatives.
Education: Dr. Carol Birnbohm, Superintendent of the Lenape Regional High School District. During her 12 years leading the district, the Lenape schools have remained among New Jersey’s highest academic achievers, and Birnbohm was recognized as New Jersey Region III Superintendent of the Year in 2018. She has also been a strong supporter and key contributor to Burlington County’s “Stigma-Free County” campaign to eliminate stigma surrounding mental health and substance use disorders.
First Responder/Law Enforcement: Officer Christina Bieri, School Resource Officer with the Burlington Township Police Department. Officer Bieri also serves as a member of the department’s field training unit, bicycle patrol unit and community resources bureau. During her 8-years with the force, she is credited with organizing a memorial 5K run to raise awareness about suicide and with other community policing programs and initiatives, including Burlington Township’s Youth Emergency Services Academy, National Night Out, Exercise and Eggs, and Shop with a Cop events.
Humanities/History: Lisa Fox Pfeiffer, executive director of the Burlington County Historical Society. Fox Pfeiffer has directed the organization since 2007. During her tenure, she has been deeply involved with the development of the organization’s Children’s History Center, a family-friendly and interactive space for children and adults to explore Burlington County’s past. She has advocated for the preservation of historical buildings, launched new and engaging programs and tours and served as a grant reviewer for the Burlington County Department of Resource Conservation. Pfeiffer is a member of the Burlington City Tourism Council and the American Association for State and Local History.
Law: Judge Marie White Bell, former New Jersey Superior Court Judge and former Willingboro mayor. Bell was one of Burlington County’s most important pioneers. In 1977 she became the first Black woman to serve on Willingboro’s Township Council and she became the town’s first Black female mayor in 1980. Bell was also the first Black municipal court judge in Burlington and Camden counties and the first Black woman to be on the New Jersey Superior Court bench in Burlington County, serving from 1997 until 2016, when she retired as a recall judge at age 80. Judge Bell was also a founding member of the Burlington County Women’s Advisory Council created during the mid-1980s.
Military /Veterans: Retired Army SFC Constance Cotton. Cotton is an outspoken veterans advocate who has assisted veterans and their families with obtaining benefits and resources. She is also a vocal activist about the unique mental health challenges of women veterans. Cotton enlisted in the Army in 1988 and worked in logistics and medical units for 17 years, including deployments to the Middle East during the Gulf War.
Health Care: Connie Garrano, nurse for Burlington County Special Services School District. Garrano is a New Jersey-certified school nurse who has served students at the Special Services School District for 22 years. She specializes in treatment of students with autism spectrum disorder and others who are medically fragile or have special needs. Garrano led the school district’s COVID-19 response and was integral to the guidance, support and care that was critical to protecting vulnerable students and their families throughout the pandemic. Garrano is also a key collaborator with the Special Olympics and helps ensure that participating BCSSSD athletes complete their required paperwork and physicals. She also makes sure athletes’ medical needs are met.
Government: Dionne Bolden, Director of Recreation and Parks for Willingboro Township. Bolden has served in the recreation department since 2015 and has led the department since 2021. In her role as director, Bolden has overseen the recreation programs at the Kennedy Center and community parks, as well as special events like the annual Willingboro Jazz Festival. A lifelong resident, Bolden previously served as a crime prevention specialist with the Willingboro Police Department and as an elected member of the Willingboro Board of Education. She is also co-founder of Livin’ Proof, a grassroots group that organizes youth basketball clinics.
The ten award recipients were selected from nominations submitted by the public. This year marks the first time the Commissioners and Council recognized a woman excelling in humanities, which included visual and performing arts, history, music, and writing.
“This is an impressive group of honorees who have gone above and beyond for their communities and continue to do so,” said Commissioner Allison Eckel, who is also a liaison to the Women’s Advisory Council. “Spotlighting these outstanding leaders and achievers will hopefully inspire more women to take on leadership roles and carry on Burlington County’s proud legacy of outstanding women.”
Tickets for the awards reception are $85 and are now available. They can be purchased online at https://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council .
There are also sponsorship opportunities available for the event. Those interested in a sponsorship or message in the event program should email womenscouncil@co.burlington.nj.us for ad rates and sponsorship levels. Sponsorship information is also available at https://co.burlington.nj.us/263/Womens-Advisory-Council .