Passaic City Council honors four local women during Women’s History Month ceremony

At the March city council meeting, the City of Passaic recognized four women for Women’s History Month, honoring their service to the city in ceremony led by Mayor Hector C. Laura and Councilwoman Tanya Mello.

The event named Pastor Helena Pierce, Madonna Renee Hines, Dr. Alberta Tamika Quick and Claribel Quintana and included short biographical readings, remarks from the honorees and applause from elected officials and residents. Mayor Hector C. Laura presented proclamations “in recognition” of each honoree’s contributions to the community.

The honorees’ biographies cited civic work and professional milestones. The proclamation for Pastor Helena Pierce noted she is the first female senior pastor of Saint Paul Baptist Church of Passaic and described her mentoring work with youth and women. Pastor Pierce told the council she intends to run a youth program and urged the city to help: “I just ask that this city will help us as we endeavor to do great things,” she said.

Madonna Renee Hines was recognized for more than four decades in funeral service, leadership roles in county and state funeral director associations, teaching at Essex County College (referred to in the proclamation as Eastwick College), volunteer work and local entrepreneurship. Hines told the council she plans to continue working in the field and thanked the city for the honor.

Dr. Alberta Tamika Quick was cited for nearly two decades in higher education and for founding the Leading Young Women Network, a nonprofit that provides leadership and mentoring programs for girls. The proclamation says Dr. Quick is seeking approval to open an all-girls charter school in Passaic County for the 2026–27 academic year; she told the council she views the recognition as encouragement for youth work and said the honors are shared with the girls she serves.

Claribel Quintana was recognized for long-standing local entrepreneurship and volunteer work, including restaurants and support for community events and relief efforts. The council read a biography noting her business ownership and community fundraising.

Council members from across the chamber praised the honorees’ work. Councilman Love said the honorees’ biographies use words such as “trailblazers” and “fighters,” and praised their long-standing service. Council remarks also thanked council staff and volunteers who organized the event.

Dignitaries and local officials acknowledged during the ceremony included the Passaic Board of Education president, municipal department leaders and representatives from veteran, senior and public-safety offices. The council paused afterward for a brief recess before resuming regular business.

Why it matters: The recognitions highlighted local leaders with ties to churches, schools, small businesses and nonprofit mentoring work. Dr. Quick’s stated plan to pursue a charter school application was the most forward-looking item mentioned during the ceremony; the city did not take any official action on that application during the meeting.

The ceremony and proclamations concluded with brief remarks from each honoree and expressions of appreciation from the mayor and council.