March is Women’s History Month, a time when we all pause to reflect on the contributions women have made, and continue to make, to our nation, our communities, and our lives. This is an important time and a wonderful way to honor the tremendous impact women make in this world.
But there is an even better way to honor women: By supporting them every day, not just one month of the year.
Providing women with the necessary resources, opportunities and inspiration to soar to new heights — showing everyone that there are no glass ceilings just endless possibilities — benefits everyone.
That’s what we’re doing in Middlesex County, where women serving in leadership roles is so much the norm that it rarely occurs to us to showcase it.
The facts speak for themselves:
- Four of the seven members of our board of county commissioners are women, including Deputy Director Shanti Narra;
- Our new county prosecutor, Linda Estremera, is a woman, as is our recently retired former county prosecutor, Yolanda Ciccone. Estremera is also the first Latina to serve as Middlesex County Prosecutor;
- And notably, ALL THREE of our constitutional officers — County Clerk Nancy J. Pinkin; County Sheriff Mildred S. Scott; and myself, County Surrogate Claribel Cortes — are women.
Middlesex County is the only county in the state that has women currently serving in all three constitutional officer roles. That’s one county out of 21.
Innovation is in our DNA in Middlesex County, so it makes sense that we are, and have long been, a county of trailblazers, going back to the first woman to serve as a member of the board.
In February 1960, Edythe McAndrew became the first female member of the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners, then known as the Board of Chosen Freeholders. She served until her passing in 1963. Several other women have followed in Freeholder McAndrew’s footsteps, paving the way for the majority-female board that exists today.
Similarly, Sheriff Scott is the first female Sheriff for Middlesex County and the first African American Sheriff in the state of New Jersey.
When I was first sworn into office in 2021, I became the first female Surrogate and the first Latina Constitutional Officer in the 217-year history of the Middlesex County Office of the Surrogate.
So many firsts, but my colleagues and I — including our male colleagues — look forward to the day when women serving in leadership roles is as common everywhere as it is here. Until then, we are proud to pave the way, because representation matters. Studies show that it is crucial for people of all ages, particularly females, to see women in positions of leadership.
This is how we make progress as a society. Not by simply honoring women’s contributions for one month each year, but by making it possible for women to make those contributions by allowing us to claim our seats at the table all year long.
It’s not just about equality; it’s about creating an environment that continues to foster the advancement of women in all aspects of life.
In Middlesex County, breaking the glass ceiling isn’t enough — we want our women to continue to break down barriers, tread uncharted territory, and turn “No’s” into “Yes’s” to inspire the fearless leaders of the future. Because in Middlesex County, we believe that anything is possible.
Claribel Cortes is the Middlesex County Surrogate, the first female to serve in that role.
