county commissioners honor local leaders for women’s history month

L to R: Commr. President Carlos Pomares, members (7) of the Woman's Club of Belleville, Alana Miles, Commr. VP A'Dorian Murray-Thomas, Anna Peppers, Commr. Leonard Luciano, Jann Skelton, Elizabeth Collins, Michelle Gill, Commr. Brendan Gill.

(Cedar Grove, NJ) – March 19, 2026 – On Wednesday, March 18, the Essex County Board of County Commissioners held its annual celebration for Women’s History Month, at the Robert J. O’Toole Community Center in Cedar Grove. This event commemorates the legacy of women’s rights and achievements, and recognizes women leaders in Essex County for their contributions to their communities.

This year, the Board recognized Elizabeth Collins of East Orange, Michelle Gill of Montclair, Alana Miles of Newark, Anna Peppers of Newark, Jann Skelton of North Caldwell, and the Woman’s Club of Belleville.

“Tonight, we remember the strides toward women's civil rights we enjoy, and the people who have sacrificed to bring them about,” said Commissioner President Carlos M. Pomares. “We also acknowledge the threats to women's freedom that persist – to bodily autonomy, to reproductive rights, to maternal health – and the work that remains to be done. We are thankful for the strong women in our lives and communities of every background; they are the hearts of our communities. Congratulations to all our honorees!”

Musical accompaniment was provided by Cynthia Tucker. Opening and closing prayers were provided by Rev. Anna Sammler-Michael and Ghana Hylton of Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair.

See pictures of the event here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Af7GJ6jYU/

Honorees:

Elizabeth A. Collins, presented by Commissioner Tyshammie L. Cooper, serves as the Director of Public Works for the City of East Orange. As a civil engineering professional in municipal government, she leads efforts to plan, improve, and modernize the City’s infrastructure, roadway systems, parks, and capital improvement projects that directly impact the daily lives of constituents and shareholders. Throughout her career, she has been committed to strengthening communities through thoughtful infrastructure planning, strategic investment, and strong leadership in public service. She has helped advance major park improvements, roadway safety initiatives, and capital projects while pursuing state, county, and federal funding opportunities that bring critical resources to the city. As a woman in engineering and public works leadership, Elizabeth takes great pride in contributing to a field where women have historically been underrepresented. She is passionate about leading by example, opening doors for future generations of women in engineering and public service, and helping shape infrastructure that serves communities for generations to come. For Elizabeth, serving the residents of East Orange is both a responsibility and a privilege, and she remains committed to building stronger, safer, and more resilient communities across Essex County through leadership, innovation, and public service.

Michelle Lynn Gill, presented by Commissioner Brendan W. Gill, was born in Derby, Connecticut, on November 28, 1949, and raised in Ansonia, Connecticut. After graduating from Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden, Connecticut, Michelle attended the College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, New York, where she graduated with a degree in French and a minor in education. During her senior year in college, Michelle studied at the Ecole des Etrangers a l’Universite de la Sorbonne in Paris, France, AKA the School for Foreign Students at the Universite de la Sorbonne. After graduating from the College of New Rochelle, Michelle joined the Societe Generale Bank and European American Banking Corporation. Later, Michelle transitioned to education and taught middle school in Maywood, New Jersey. In 1974, Michelle and her husband, Dan, welcomed the start of their family. They are the proud parents of Brendan W. Gill, Kiara K. Gill, and Connor A. Gill, all three pursuing their lives and careers. Her family life also includes six grandchildren: Gabriel and Kristen, Adrian and Zahra, and Josephina and Gwendolyn. After raising their children, Michelle taught as a substitute teacher in the Montclair Public Schools, and serves as a Democratic Committee person for the Montclair Democratic Party, District 10.

Alana Miles, Esq., presented by Commissioner Vice President A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, is the founder and managing partner of Miles Law LLC, where she specializes in real estate transactions. With experience in both the private and public sectors—including civil litigation and civil rights in education — she brings deep community insight and strong professional connections to her work. Alana holds degrees from Rutgers University (J.D.), Columbia University (graduate), and Syracuse University (undergraduate). A dedicated Newark resident, Alana is heavily involved in civic and community service. She serves on the Essex County Vicinage Superior Court of New Jersey’s advisory committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement, is a Commissioner on Newark’s Central Planning Board, a board member of the BLOC foundation, volunteers with NJ LEEP, and is a trustee at Bethany Baptist Church. She also provides free monthly legal seminars on real estate and is an active member of the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Anna Peppers, presented by Commissioner Vice President A’Dorian Murray-Thomas, is a beloved educator, counselor, and community leader whose four decades of service have shaped generations of young people across Newark and Essex County. A proud and active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she has long embodied the sorority’s commitment to scholarship, service, and sisterhood. For more than 40 years, Mrs. Peppers served as a Permanent Certified Elementary Educator, and for over 26 years, she worked as a Board-Certified Substance Abuse Professional. Known as the teacher who saw every child and the counselor who listened without judgment, she created safe, nurturing spaces where students could learn, heal, and grow. Her work in curriculum development, crisis intervention, and drug education has left a lasting impact on Newark Public Schools and the countless lives she touched. Mrs. Peppers continues her legacy of mentorship through SHE Wins! Inc., where she is affectionately described as a “quiet force”—a steady, wise presence who leads with grace and reminds young women that their dreams are worthy of pursuit. At the heart of her life is her family. She is the proud mother of two sons, Taalamu and Robert Peppers, the “son-shines” of her life, and the devoted Godmother of Mtani Holiday and Kiana Lawhorn, who each hold a special place in her heart. Their creativity, strength, warmth, and determination reflect the values she has poured into so many. Mrs. Peppers’ connection to Newark’s civic and political landscape runs deep. As a young woman, she babysat for the late Congressman Donald Payne Jr., as well as William and Kay Payne, witnessing early models of public service. She worked on Mayor Sharpe James’ campaign, served as a witness for Councilwoman Mildred Crump’s petition, and proudly supported A’Dorian Murray-Thomas in every one of her elections. Her political engagement began even earlier during her time at Essex County College, where she served on the Student Government Association and campaigned for Newark’s first Black Mayor, Kenneth Gibson. Across every chapter of her life, Anna Peppers has remained committed to uplifting others. Her legacy is one of service, compassion, and quiet, steady leadership. Through her continued mentorship and community work, she is known for her meticulous attention to detail, her mastery of counseling strategies, and her ability to create environments where people feel safe, valued, and capable of change. But above all, she is known for her heart—a heart that has guided thousands of students, families, and community members toward brighter futures. Her legacy is one of service, compassion, and steady leadership. And through her continued mentorship, she ensures that the seeds she has planted will keep growing for generations to come.

Jann B. Skelton, BPharm, MBA, FAPhA, presented by Commissioner Leonard M. Luciano, is a nationally recognized healthcare leader, community advocate, and volunteer committed to improving public health and strengthening local communities. She is the President of Silver Pennies Consulting, a healthcare consulting firm she founded in 2004, where she advises national non-profit organizations, foundations, and industry partners. Over more than thirty years, her work has helped develop initiatives that advance pharmacy practice, patient safety, and public health programs nationwide. Jann held positions at the American Pharmacists Association (APhA), where she led major national initiatives focused on advancing pharmacy practice, professional development, and patient care services. Throughout her career, she has authored numerous professional publications and helped lead large public health initiatives addressing issues such as immunizations, chronic disease management, and medication safety. In recognition of her contributions to the profession, Jann was named a Fellow of the American Pharmacists Association (FAPhA) in 2020, one of the profession’s highest honors. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Jann has demonstrated a deep commitment to public service and education. She served two terms on the North Caldwell Board of Education and later as an elected member of the West Essex Regional School District Board of Education, where she worked to support strong schools, responsible governance, and increased opportunities for students across the community. She also served as President of the North Caldwell Partnership for Education, helping raise resources and support for local schools. Jann is also a passionate advocate in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Following the loss of her husband to the disease, she became deeply involved with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), where she serves on a volunteer advisory board and leads fundraising and awareness initiatives. Through her leadership and community engagement, she has helped raise more than $300,000 to support pancreatic cancer research, patient support, and advocacy efforts. A graduate of West Virginia University School of Pharmacy, Jann earned her MBA from George Washington University. She is the proud mother of two grown children, Hannah and William. She is also an avid gardener and enjoys hiking and practicing yoga.

The Woman’s Club of Belleville, presented by Commissioner President Carlos M. Pomares, is one of the oldest and most active organizations in the township of Belleville. It was originally organized in 1916, as the Belleville Improvement Association with Mrs. Herbert Vail as the first President. The mission of the Association was to promote the health, welfare, and beautification of the community. As the Belleville Improvement Association developed and attracted more members, the group changed its name to the Woman’s Club of Belleville and joined the General Federation of Women’s Clubs and New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs on June 16, 1922.  The club’s first president was Mrs. Frederick Dodd who served from 1922-1925. The objective of the club was “to maintain an organized center of thought, action, and good fellowship among women and stimulate interest in all those things that would render the members helpful to one another and useful to society, and cooperate for the betterment of social conditions”. Joining the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs expanded the club’s concerns to encompass national and international causes, although the members’ main focus was still devoted to serving Belleville. From the 1970s through the 1980s, the Woman’s Club sponsored a Junior Woman’s Club, “Juniorettes”, and an Evening Membership Department. The Woman’s Club of Belleville Clubhouse is located at 51 Rossmore Place, an older roomy colonial home purchased in 1928. In 1967, the club held a Mortgage Burning Ceremony. Over the years, the home has been redecorated and renovated. A bright music room at the south end complements the spacious meeting room, which holds 75 people. Through the efforts of the club, in 1927, Belleville became one of the first communities to furnish police officers and crossing guards with white, luminous gloves. This safety precaution was later adopted in many neighboring communities. During its first 20 years, the Woman’s Club donated towards the construction of a new boathouse for the joint use of the Belleville and Nutley High Schools’ crew teams. Other activities at this time included donations to New Eyes for the Needy, the public library, the Garden School, Soho Hospital, and the Community Mental Health Center of Belleville, Nutley, and Bloomfield. For its 50th anniversary, the Woman’s Club donated a 25-foot aluminum flagpole for the War Memorial on Union Avenue near Little Street. The club worked closely with the Veterans’ Council of Belleville for the formal dedication of the gift, on the morning of Memorial Day, May 30, 1967. The flagpole is a part of Belleville’s Memorial Day celebration to this day. Current community club projects include: sponsoring female high school Juniors to the NJSFWC Girl’s Career  Institute held at Douglass College each spring; scholarships for Belleville High School students; sponsorship of a Poetry Contest for elementary and middle school students; collections of toiletries, school supplies and gifts for the Safe House, Operation Candy/Cookie, and Books for Tots and Teens in conjunction with the Belleville Fire Department; support of domestic violence programs; support services to homeless women; donations to various veterans’ organizations and hospitals; and numerous other contributions to community and state organizations. The club’s present State Project, Operation Chillout, benefited homeless veterans. Club members are always encouraged to take part in various other activities such as the club’s International Potluck Dinner, Tricky Tray, theater trips and concerts, craft and poetry workshops and many other activities. The club will continue to serve its community, state and world for many more years to come, “trying to accomplish something, not merely to exist” (club Junior Pledge).