PARSIPPANY — The Morris County Democratic Committee held a meeting “Focusing on the Role of Women in Elective Office,” on Sunday, May 21. The event was held at Livingston Benedict House, 25 Old Parsippany Road.
Speakers included Clinton Mayor Janice Kovach, Former Parsippany Mayor Mimi Letts, Mountain Lakes Councilwoman Ellen Emr and 26th Legislative District Candidate Laura Fortgang.
Mayor Janice Kovach
Mayor Kovach has served as mayor in Clinton since 2012, positively impacting her community. Throughout her career, she has been a strong advocate for women, volunteering a good deal of her time to mentor and train women to run for office. Prior to being Mayor Janice was elected to the Clinton town council in 2004 until 2006. She is a committed public servant. Janice ran for the New Jersey Assembly in 2005 and House of Representatives in the Seventh District in 2014, served as Secretary of the NJ State Democratic Committee, on New Jersey Highlands Water & Protection Planning Council and Director of the New Jersey Division on Women.
Also, Janice was a guest speaker for Tedx talk titled Honor Dairies, “What is Honor.” It’s on YouTube and if you haven’t seen it I suggest you do. It addresses the plight of women throughout the world. The images in the presentation are powerful. We are so glad that Janice agreed to speak at our event today.
Mimi Letts
Served as Mayor of Parsippany-Troy Hills for eleven years beginning in 1994 to 2005. Quite an accomplishment in a republican town. During her tenure, Mimi committed funds to purchase open space, build a new police headquarters and courthouse, built parks including Veterans Park. More importantly Mimi built bipartisan support within the administration to grow and improve the community. When she retired in 2005 she left the Parsippany in much better place.
Prior to being Mayor Mimi ran for council, served on the Planning Board, Board of Adjustments, New Jersey Highlands Water & Protection Planning Council and a trustee for Parsippany Senior Citizens Housing Corp and was instrumental in building support for the Brookside Senior Citizens Housing.
Mimi continues to give her time and support in mentoring candidates sharing her knowledge and expertise.
Ellen Emr
Served as councilwomen in Mountain Lakes from 2008 to 2011. Again, another accomplished woman that won a seat in a strongly held Republican town. Ellen is active on many of the borough committees. She was in the forefront against major development that would have impacted open space on a wooded tract of land adjacent to 40 acres of Mt. Lakes’ borough Park. She successfully argued against changing the zoning code to permit the development. Something we’re familiar with in Parsippany. Ellen was also active in opposing the Waterview Development Project and helped significantly limit the impact of the project.
In the recent 2015 election, Ellen provide guidance and support and was instrumental in working to elect Democrats, women, to Mountain Lakes’ town council.
Ellen too is an advocate and mentor for candidates running for office.
Laura Fortgang
Laura Berman Fortgang is a mother, small business owner and active in her community, Laura has an impressive career as an acclaimed speaker, bestselling author, life coach and career strategist. She has written seven books her most recent “Now What”. You may know Laura from her appearances on Oprah, CNN, MSNBC or read her blog on Huffington Post. Laura is a candidate for District 26, general assembly.
