By: Dr. Phyllis Bivins-Hudson
Women’s History or Herstory Month is no stranger to Americans. We have been hearing about and celebrating it since its proclamation in 1987.
However, in doing so, we have begun assigning this moment designed to dedicate and honor women’s contributions the same presentation as other notable celebrations such as Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Native American Heritage Month, and so on.
We are diligent about the recognition of these important events but not so much about who or what is being esteemed.
In other words, we celebrate the same people or the same activities in similar ways as if the leader, figurehead, or enterprise chosen were the only representation of each group.
In doing so, these begin to receive cliché status.
For instance, schools and communities cast a spotlight on prominent names of Black historians such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and other well-noted historical figures.
Activities during Hispanic Heritage Month include hosting concerts, parades, runs, festivals, etc.
And lest we forget a celebration of indigenous cultures that accentuates educational events, museum exhibits, film screenings, cultural festivals, etc.
I believe these are all excellent ways to commemorate these important individuals and groups in history. Exposure and re-exposure are important to learning, retention, and a deeper understanding and appreciation for the contributions of these minority groups.
However, I also believe that not enough time is spent looking deeper inside our smaller communities, celebrating those who are entrenched in community life, and doing the grunt work of community building.
They are not often recognized for the work they do. Many don’t want the recognition, they just want to get the job done!
But how will we ever know these people if they are not highlighted by their peers or the leaders of the state or country?
New Jersey has quite a few community leaders who have been shaping and changing their communities for years.
They are strongly represented from various backgrounds. For instance, Theresa Maughan, New Jersey teacher of the year in 2021-2022, was one of only five educators in the USA in 2023 to receive the prestigious Horace Mann Award for Teaching Excellence.
Do you know her? Have you ever heard her name?
What about Juanita Greene, a longtime educator in the Newark Public Schools and also the teacher of the year in 2023? For her years of dedication to education, her district decided to highlight her by giving her a surprise celebration to let her know how much they appreciate her dedication to the children of Newark.
But again, do you know Ms. Greene?
There are many others, including lawyers, rabbis, council people, community volunteers, and the list continues. These are our unsung sheroes.
This Women’s Herstory Month, I will underscore and elevate one of New Jersey’s unsung gems: a woman who has made a difference in the past, is still making a difference in the present, and is working to do the same for the future of East Orange, New Jersey.
Zammeah Bivins-Gibson was raised in East Orange, New Jersey.
She received her formative years of education in the East Orange School District, where she was a model student.
She went on to complete her college degree at one of the top HBCUs, Howard University, where she earned a BS Degree in Sociology and then earned an MSW from Rutgers University.
Endowed with all she required to begin her career, Zammeah found herself in several organizations where she began to hone her craft. One of these stopovers includes working at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital, where she aided TBI (traumatic brain injury) patients.
She went on to work for the national non-profit organization Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, an affiliate program of Isaiah House, the Teen Map Program, and garnered a host of other experiences along the way until she found her footing as the Executive Director of Isaiah House in East Orange, where she has been for 20 years.
As executive director, she has helped the organization grow and serve with dignity and respect.
Unlike many organizations that purport to help but inadvertently infuse a deeper wedge or destroy the family unit by not allowing the husband to remain with his family, Isaiah House focuses on the whole family. Zammeah’s programming encourages the household to remain a unit for the sake of domesticity, especially to benefit the children.
She understands firsthand the dynamics of being raised in a single-parent household. Zammeah has been instrumental in leading her staff to support thousands of unhoused families who are often jobless, living with HIV/AIDS, or having experienced other societal issues.
Her job is to ensure families of all backgrounds, races, religions, gender statuses, and more have shelter, food, and unwavering support as they work to get back on their feet and reacclimate to society.
Zammeah Bivins-Gibson is one of the sheroes we don’t hear about during Women’s History Month.
She, and other women like her, are the catalysts for so much good in small, virtually undistinguished communities.
So, in this month of celebrating women who have made a difference, Zammeah Bivins-Gibson is being saluted for a tremendous job of leading the way in a non-profit organization nestled in the heart of a city of 3.9 miles with a population of 68,903 people, of which 14.6% of the families live in poverty.
She is giving back to the community that gave her so much as a child and young adult.
Zammeah Bivins-Gibson is an unsung shero that impacts lives even when the music isn’t playing.
Until next time, keep flying on your own wings.
