Ridgewood Woman To Be Honored For 'Trailblazing' Work

RIDGEWOOD, NJ — Catherine Brienza is dedicated to educating and empowering others to make a positive difference in the world.

Brienza is the founder and president of JOLT USA and its community outreach arm, RidgewoodJOLT. She will receive the Evangelina Menendez Trailblazer Award from U.S. Sen. Bob Mendenez March 24. The award is named after Mendenez's mother.

Brienza has helped raised public awareness in Bergen County through co-sponsoring rallies, including March for Our Lives, Keep Families Together, and hosting a town hall on gun safety.

RidgewoodJOLT works to safeguard Democracy and preserve the basic principles that have guided the United States, freedom from oppression, embracing of diverse cultures, and to protect the earth for future generations.

She also founded NJ Civics Outreach, a nonprofit formed to engage and empower high school students to participate in their communities.

Brienza also created 15min4change, a Facebook page that encourages citizen participation on current events, and speaking to their government representatives about issues.

Brienza is also a member of the Ridgewood Green Team and is on the Board of Directors of Alpine Learning Group, a center for people on the autism spectrum.

Brienza will receive the award March 24

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com