Glen Rock Makes 'Herstory' With NJ's First All-Female Council

GLEN ROCK, NJ — "Herstory" has been made in this Bergen borough, according to state and local officials.

New Jersey's first all-female mayor and council has been appointed in Glen Rock, with the swearing in of borough resident Regina Viadro at Wednesday's town council meeting. Glen Rock is also, officials said, the only municipality in the U.S. to have an active all-female mayor and council.

Newly appointed Viadro — a vice president at software engineering company EPAM — replaces former councilman Jon Cole and was selected unanimously to the position by her now-colleagues on the dais.

"(Regina) embodies all the qualities that you want in an elected leader; she is smart, kind and compassionate," Glen Rock Mayor Kristine Morieko said of the new councilwoman.

In the historic moment for Glen Rock and the state, the borough hall was packed with supporters and government leaders to see Viadro take her oath of office, as administered by assemblywoman Lisa Swain (NJ-38).

"I just want to say how exciting this is," Swain said, before reading a statement about Viadro's "illustrious" college and professional career, and about the generous giving of her time and energy to community service over the years.

"We (I, assemblyman Chris Tully and Sen. Joseph Lagana) represent you and we welcome you," Swain said to Viadro. "And we are here to help you serve in your new capacity in Glen Rock."

Viadro joined nine other individuals seated on the dais, six of whom are the mayor and council; three of whom are borough administrator, clerk and attorney; and all of whom are women.

County Commissioner Tracy Zur addressed the significance of the occasion, quoting the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg's "when there are nine" (or, in Glen Rock's case, "when there are 10" ) — which she famously said in response to the question of when will there be enough women on the federal court.

Referencing yet another quote from RBG, Zur said that "women belong in all places where decisions are being made," and said also that she is so excited to help commemorate the "special night" when local government leaders are changing the dialogue that there is no such quota on how many women can sit on a board.

"Instead, it is about how many people of competence, character and quality are going to step forward to serve their community," commissioner Zur said.

Mayor Morieko also invoked the name of Ginsburg in her remarks about the newly sworn-in council member, and said that the justice's "when there are nine" mantra sends a strong message about female empowerment and the fight for equal rights.

"RBG engendered hope and conviction to keep pressing, keep demanding to to keep the flame lit," Morieko said. "I could not be more proud of our community for putting that torch out front tonight."

"Tonight, we are showing the young women who are here in this room and who will come after us that there are no barriers to entry in the community of Glen Rock," the mayor and mother of two, including a 9-year-old girl, said. "Our job now (as mayor and council) is to set a standard and path going forward to where this will be seen as normal and accepted."

The mayor said she was thrilled when Viadro had agreed to run with her on the ticket this fall (for Morieko's third, four-year term; and Viadro's first term), though this opportunity had unexpectedly arisen when her friend and former councilman Cole — whom she said she is sad to see leave — decided to step down.

"I am the second-elected female mayor (of Glen Rock), and it was not until I became mayor that we had a female-majority council," Morieko said. "But that was not enough for me. For all of the daughters in this room (including my own), nothing is more important to me than for them to see that there is nothing that they cannot do."

Viadro will fill out the remainder of the term (expiring December 2023) of former councilman Cole, who was celebrated and acknowledged at Wednesday's special meeting for his service to the borough.

"(Cole's) thoughtful leadership has made an indelible mark on this government body who will miss him dearly," a proclamation read aloud by the council said.

Newly sworn-in Viadro said that though she cannot share personal experiences of working with Cole, as others had on the dais that night, she is "excited and grateful for the opportunity to step into the role."