Moorestown Woman To Be Recognized For Diveristy, Inclusion Work

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A Moorestown woman is being recognized for her commitment to diversity and inclusion during Burlington County’s 2021 Outstanding Women of Burlington County Awards Reception, county officials announced.

Saima Bhutta is one of 11 women who will be recognized for her leadership and service to the community.

The reception takes place on Oct. 18 at the country club, 1416 Highland Avenue in Cinnaminson. It begins with a cocktail hour 5:30 p.m., followed by an awards program at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person and can be purchased online at https://outstandingwomenburlco2021.eventbrite.com.

"For far too long the contributions of women were relegated or ignored, so it's incredibly gratifying to help lead a county that is home to so many outstanding women and to continue this tradition of celebrating their achievements and community service," Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson, liaison to the Women's Advisory Council, said. "Each of these women comes from a different walk of life, but they each have had a great and lasting impact on our county."

Bhutta is a health care provider, community activist, volunteer, and political leader. She is passionate about the fight against social justice issues, racial injustice and all inequalities, according to biographical information provided by the county. She has participated in several Black Lives Matter events.

She has been a volunteer for 25 years, during which time she has participated in soup kitchens, overseen public school clubs, taught Sunday school, distributed personal protective equipment (PPE) during the coronavirus pandemic, and built bridges of understanding and peace between several faith groups in South Jersey.

Earlier this year, she hosted an Eid-al-Fitr event attended by Moorestown Mayor Nicole Gillespie and Moorestown Councilman Quinton Law. Eid-al-Fitr is a three-day celebration that marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting that commemorates Muhammad's First Revelation. Read more here: Moorestown Marks Historic End Of Ramadan Celebration

From 2005 to 2006, Bhutta provided health care services to the homeless in Camden County through Project H.O.P.E and the Catholic Charities of Camden County. In 2006, she was the recipient of the 2006 Martin Luther King, Jr. Freedom Medal in recognition for her services to the HEPSA sites in Camden.

Bhutta was the founding member of the Pakistan American Society of South Jersey in 2001. After the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, her goal was to build bridges and promote diversity, as well as understanding of Pakistani culture through social activities in communities throughout South Jersey.

In 2015, with the help of other Muslim leaders in the South Jersey region, Bhutta founded the Muslim Federation of South Jersey. The organization seeks to build connections with local, state, and federal government officials so that the interests and views of the South Jersey’s diverse Muslim community are represented in mainstream political environments.

This organization does outreach work and distributes food, care packages and backpacks to inner city schools and vulnerable communities She currently serves on their board of trustees of both organizations.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Bhutta coordinated with businesses and community members who were hit the hardest, offering support by organizing and distributing thousands of meals out of those sites and to communities identified as food insecure.

Bhutta also volunteered in the 2020 Census Complete Count Committee in Burlington County, educating community members about the Census, and dedicating her time to aiding as many people as possible complete it. Read more here: Moorestown’s Population Saw Growth In Last 10 Years: Census

She is an active member of Sisterhood of Salam Shalom and the Jewish Christian Muslim Dialogue of Southern Jersey. Bhutta is on the Task Force to form a Diversity and Inclusion committee in Moorestown. Read more here: Moorestown’s Diversity Task Force Promoting Inclusion, Awareness

Bhutta also serves on the Sustainable Moorestown committee and has been involved in establishing COVID testing sites in town and volunteering there as a health care provider. Read more here: New COVID Test Site To Open In Moorestown This Weekend

She has arranged health fairs and works with organizations to identify vulnerable populations to provide them with resources.

The award recipients were selected by a panel of Advisory Council members from several areas of exceptional service. This year marked the first time the Council recognized women leaders in the categories of first responder and frontline workers. This year's honorees are:

• Volunteerism: Fozia Janjua, Mount Laurel resident and founder of Community South Jersey and Philadelphia (Community SJP)

• Mentorship: Helen Barsocchi, Medford resident and board member/coach for United Girls' Softball Association

• Law/Law enforcement: Sally Landrum, Willingboro Police Community Engagement Officer

• Health Care: Holly Funkhouser Cucuzzella, Burlington County Health Officer

• Government: Carol Murphy, New Jersey Assemblywoman

• Frontline Worker: Phyllis Worrell, Healthcare Coordinator for Burlington County OEM and Emergency Management Coordinator for Virtua Health

• First Responder: Lori Engler, Bordentown EMT/Firefighter

• Education: Amanda Cassel, Assistant Principal and Supervisor of Instruction at Lenape High School

• Diversity and Inclusion: Saima Bhutta, Moorestown resident and activist

• Corporate Leadership: Kathleen Horton, Chief Financial Officer for Food Bank of South Jersey

• Community Service: Shannon Gibson, program director at Oaks Integrated Care

Scholarships are also awarded to three female high school graduates who have demonstrated leadership and advocacy for equity, excellence in scholastics and interest in women's issues and an interest in pursuing a career in a Science Technology Engineering and Math field. The scholarship winners are:

• Skylar Brotz, Delran High School, Alice Paul Champion Award

• Maya Tanikawa-Brown, Northern Burlington County Regional High School, Celeste Arties Memorial Award

• Makayla Scott, Burlington County Institute of Technology-Westampton, Elizabeth Coleman White STEM Award

"The Council wanted to recognize the outstanding service performed by women leaders during the pandemic, and the selections were spot on," Hopson said. "All the award recipients have gone above and beyond for our communities, and they continue to do so."

"As women leaders, we have a responsibility to serve as mentors and role models for the next generation, and I'm incredibly proud of the work the Council performs to inspire and support our young achievers," Burlington County Commissioner Linda Hynes, who is also a liaison to the Council, said. "These three young women are shining examples. They have excelled in academics, activism and leadership and will help carry on our legacy of outstanding women."

The Council is also making several different sponsorships available for the event. Anyone who can't attend the event but who would still like to participate or congratulate the winners can place a message in the reception slideshow. Those interested in sponsorships should visit https://www.co.burlington.nj.us/DocumentCenter/View/14053/Ad-Solicitation-2021-final?bidId=.