Haddon Township Equity Head To Be Recognized With Freedom Medal

HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ — Haddon Township Equity Initiative President Isis Williams 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.

Williams, of West Collingswood Heights, is also the director of the Haddon Township Board of Education. She is known as a barrier breaker, an uplifting hand for vulnerable communities and a committed warrior in the battle for equality, according to the biography provided by county officials.

Williams spearheaded the founding of the Haddon Township Equity Initiative, which hosted the township's first ever Pride Parade in 2021, for which it received a proclamation from the state. She brought together township leaders, the police and fire departments and a wide range of community members to put together the parade, as well as a nonprofit fair and a pool party for LGBTQIA families.

Williams is also the Vice President of COLLAB, co-leads the district’s Parent Equity Group, serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee of the Franklin Mint Federal Credit Union and is a member of the HT Special Education Parent Advisory Group.

All 11 candidates 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.”

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;

Shirley Conroy, of Collingswood, the founder of the New Jersey chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America;

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; and

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.

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.