The IHA seniors were two of only twenty-one young women chosen from throughout the county for this highly sought-after internship.

The Bergen County COSW was founded in 1975 and serves as a bridge between government and community, studying the needs of women, and promoting the expansion of women’s rights in areas such as domestic violence, child care, and elder care. To offer young women the opportunity to become involved with these and other issues, the Junior Commission was established in 2000. Former Junior Commissioners have reported that this one-year of service has become an important part of their college application.

During their term of office from September through June, Clare and Victoria will be charged with researching a topic relevant to their peers and will be given the opportunity to participate in various COSW activities.

Clare said she was overjoyed when she found out I she was nominated and then appointed. “I knew the internship was extremely competitive and I was very happy to have been recognized as a potential candidate,” she said. “I feel honored to have been appointed. To work with other young women who are equally as passionate about women’s rights is empowering. I am very thankful to have the ability to advocate with my fellow Junior Commissioners!”

Victoria felt honored to have been nominated among so many other confident and intelligent young women at IHA. She was elated when she found out she was appointed. “My parents were so proud; they beamed as I read the letter,” she said. “Along with excitement, I started to feel the responsibility of representing women in a greater environment and voicing my thoughts and feelings on such important topics.”

The Junior Commissioners meet monthly at the Bergen County Court House in Hackensack. Victoria said the Commission “does not only look to improve the lives of women, but all people, which leaves potential for any social service activity.” This year, the group is researching women from the county who are champions of peace and nonviolence; they will then nominate twelve women to be honored this spring.

Clare said she is looking forward to “creating long-lasting change that will enable all women with opportunities to prosper and thrive.” Victoria shared that discussing with like-minded young adults the treatment of women and how certain conditions can be improved “is empowering, to say the least. I think that a year of discussion and innovation with one another will truly cause a change in each of our environments and in society as a whole.”