Collingswood Woman To Be Recognized With Freedom Medal

COLLINGSWOOD, NJ — The founder of the New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America is among 11 Camden County residents who will be honored for their selfless contributions to improving their community at the 2022 Camden County Freedom Medal Ceremony, county officials announced.

Shirley Conroy, of Collingswood, will be honored during the ceremony, which was postponed from Jan. 20 to Feb. 24 due to the spike in COVID-19 cases, according to officials.

“The situation with Covid-19 is rapidly changing, and we need to prioritize the health and safety of our residents, the medal recipients, employees and everyone who would have been in attendance on Jan. 20,” Camden County Commissioner Jonathan Young said. “We will continue to monitor case counts closely and will provide updates if anything changes. Nonetheless, we look forward to celebrating the 11 community minded individuals who have been nominated and awarded this countywide honor.”

Conroy died in October, but her spirit and commitment to peace continues to drive the work of Moms Demand Action volunteers across New Jersey. She dedicated the final years of her life to advocating for common-sense reforms to make neighborhoods safer and supported the work of organizations working to address Camden’s gun violence problem, according to the biography provided by county officials.

She fostered a partnership with the Center for Family Services’ Cure4Camden violence interruption program and was later selected as the service provider at Cooper Hospital’s new Violence Interruption Program.

Conroy also worked with Cure to set up a monthly partnership meeting to bring together like-minded community leaders and city police to encourage collaboration.

In 2018, she worked with a group of Urban Promise Academy students to craft narratives about their personal experiences. Conroy brought four of these students with her to Trenton to testify about gun law reform.

She rallied dozens of volunteers to hand out thousands of ribbons and secure proclamations from their town councils, while working closely with Camden County officials to organize an annual Wear Orange event.

The Camden County Freedom Medal, created by the Camden County Board of Commissioners in 2001, is presented to civic leaders who demonstrate ideals and actions that reflect the principles of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

“The individuals selected for the Camden County Freedom Medal truly embody the teachings and beliefs of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,” Young said. “The recipients are striving to improve their communities and deserve to be recognized for their selflessness and sacrifice.”

The others who will be honored include:

Mark Bodrog, a Marine captain from Sicklerville, who wrote a play that brings awareness to the epidemic of veteran suicide;

Friends of Clementon Food Pantry Executive Director Dave Cornwell, who made sure the pantry was consistently stocked throughout the height of the coronavirus pandemic;

Greg DeShields, of Cherry Hill, a member of the Board of Directors at the Independence Business Alliance who is passionate about diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the community;

Chesilhurst Mayor Jamila Odom-Garnett, who is dedicated to civic awareness, public policy, corporate trailblazing and education;

Falio Leyba-Martinez, a Board Member of the Camden City School Advisory who is passionate about helping make the city a better place, especially for children;

Diane McKenzie, of Atco, is the leader of the organization, "Rubies and Pearls'' and is known in the Winslow Township community and surrounding area for her tireless efforts to help others, especially young girls;

Marla Myers, of Cherry Hill, is the Executive Director of Samost Jewish Family and Children’s Services of Southern New Jersey;

Nichelle Pace is Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Camden Business Association and possesses an unyielding love for her community and passion for issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion; and

Isis Williams, of West Collingswood Heights, is the president of the non-profit Haddon Township Equity Initiative and is known as a barrier breaker, an uplifting hand for vulnerable communities and a committed warrior in the battle for equality.

Camden Mayor Victor Carstarphen will be awarded the Congressional Medal for his work to keep the city safe and strengthen the public health of the community.