(Credit: Melissa Pappentick/MGM Photography)
The initiative was started by former Commissioner Deb Zimmerman in 2021
In celebration of Women's History Month and International Women's Day, Hatfield Township Commissioners last week recognized and celebrated seven township women who help make the community a special place.
Commissioners President and Ward 1 Representative Jen LoStracco thanked the public for coming out last Tuesday, March 25 to the celebration, giving special thanks to Community Relations Coordinator Jay Gordon and former Commissioner Deb Zimmerman, who is a current member of the Parks & Recreation Board and the Hatfield 250 Committee.
"Deb started this celebration in 2021, and then when I was elected commissioner, I said, 'We have to keep doing this forever and ever.' So, I hope we do. It is super important," LoStracco said.
In addition to LoStracco and Commissioner Karla D'Alessio, the following women were recognized by Hatfield Township at the commissioners' session:
Dana Price (Ward 1), a North Penn sophomore who has excelled because of her infectious enthusiasm and the unwavering support of friends and family. Two other members of "Team Dana" — Mel Derstine and Caitlin Ewer — were also recognized for supporting Dana in significant ways.
Jill Mosiondz (Ward 2) has helped keep Hatfield connected by creating the Hatfield, PA Community Group Facebook page (now with nearly 10,000 members) and the website Keeping Kids Connected. She's on the board of Friends of Hatfield Sharks Swim Team, coaches her daughter's basketball team, and helped found Home at Last Dog Rescue. She also lives out her faith by teaching in the Parish Religious Education Program at Saint Maria Goretti Catholic Church of Hatfield.
Punam Amin (Ward 3) believes that when women are empowered,families and communities thrive. She volunteers for the Public Affairs and Outreach team at BAPS, a global movement of the Hindu faith that seeks to care for the world by caring for communities, families and individuals. Amin also has a lead role in BAPS Charities, helping to organize fundraisers for many local agencies through the BAPS walk-a-thon.
Danielle Bridge (Ward 4) is the owner and sole employee of Bridge The Gap Workouts, LLC, a fitness business she started in 2016. Ten years later, BTG is about to move into its own space in the center of Hatfield Borough. Danielle's passion for fitness spills over into her community involvements, including the Boosterthon for Walton Farm Elementary School, North Penn IronKnights Triathlon, and many others.
Kathryn Schnierer-Chapman (Ward 5) is a poll greeter at Oak Park Elementary Home & School, serves on the advisory board for the Lansdale Branch of the North Penn YMCA, and volunteers at Lansdale’s Code Blue Shelter as well as Manna on Main Street. She helped organize an event last fall entitled, "Lansdale Listens: From Division to Dialogue," which helped bring people together to hear their stories, and learn to be active listeners who listen to understand. She and a friend hope to collaborate on similar events in the area.
