Passaic County commissioners honor four women during Women’s History Month celebration

Passaic County commissioners recognized four local women for leadership and public service during a Women’s History Month celebration at the county administration building on March 25, 2025. Commissioner Sandy Lazaro presented proclamations honoring Gail Ismailoff, Dr. Lori Newell, Alexandria Tasik and Oisin Castillo.

The event, part of the county’s observance of National Women’s History Month, highlighted contributions in county operations, K–12 education, municipal government and social services. “The theme for this year is ‘Moving Women: Educating and Inspiring Generations,’ and that highlights the contributions of women in education, mentorship and leadership,” Commissioner Sandy Lazaro said as she opened the presentations.

Gail Ismailoff, a longtime Passaic County buildings-and-grounds supervisor, was the first honoree recognized. The proclamation cited Ismailoff’s 37 years with county facilities and noted that she supervises the second shift and more than 40 employees who maintain several county buildings. Receiving the proclamation, Ismailoff thanked county leadership and her coworkers, saying the honor reflected “the hard work of my team” and praising the buildings-and-grounds staff as a “second family.”

The board next honored Dr. Lori Newell, identified in the proclamation as the superintendent of Paterson Public Schools. The proclamation said Newell is the first African American woman to lead the Paterson district, which the proclamation described as New Jersey’s third-largest district, serving nearly 25,000 students with about 3,700 employees across 44 schools. In remarks, Dr. Newell said she was honored and credited the district community for supporting her work: “I am so honored to be here…and I would not be here if not for my district, if not for the support.”

Alexandria Tasik, a Haledon councilwoman and attorney, received a proclamation noting her municipal service and volunteer work mentoring students and assisting low-income families with housing issues. Tasik, who said she and her family immigrated from Serbia when she was a child, spoke about the influence of family and community in her decision to serve and to help others: “I’m so thankful to be in a community that really wants to truly do that, help as much as possible.”

The final honoree, Oisin Castillo, was recognized for a record of public-service roles including work on the Paterson Board of Education and in county human services. The proclamation noted Castillo was born in the Dominican Republic, attended Passaic County Technical Institute and later earned a bachelor’s degree, and it cited her current role as chief of operations for the Passaic County Board of Social Services. Castillo said public service gave her “the opportunity to find purpose” and thanked her family and colleagues for support.

Commissioners presented certificates of recognition from the county clerk and a congressional office to each honoree. The ceremony concluded with an invitation from Lazaro for attendees to remain for refreshments and to continue celebrations in the building’s lower level. Lazaro also announced a separate upcoming event: a soldiers cross dedication at the Vietnam Wall Memorial at the Passaic County Public Safety Academy on Oldham Road scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m.

The proclamations are formal recognitions by the Passaic County Board of County Commissioners and do not enact policy or allocate funding.