Monmouth Vicinage 2024 Black History Month Program: Norma Todd

The Monmouth Vicinage will celebrate Black History Month with a virtual presentation on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at 12:30 p.m.

The hour-long program will spotlight the life and legacy of Norma Todd, a local figure and humanitarian.

Born and raised in Monmouth County. Todd travelled the world with her husband, James, a foreign service officer in the U.S. Department of State. In addition to her work in the Monmouth County area, she is credited with many humanitarian acts while abroad, including helping establish schools and orphanages, providing instruction on disease control, and co-creating programs to teach English. She also worked extensively with the Girl Scout/Girl Guide movement. 

In 1983, Todd co-founded Lunch Break in Red Bank, a non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, and life skills for financially insecure individuals and families in Monmouth County and the surrounding area. Todd served as its executive director for 25 years before her death in 2008 at the age of 87.

Assignment Judge Marc C. Lemieux will give welcome remarks. Superior Court Judge Lourdes Lucas will introduce panel members:  Lunch Break board trustee Carol Penn, a physician who is a family medicine specialist and lifelong friend of the Todd family, and Gwendolyn Love, executive director of Lunch Break.

The virtual event is free and open to the public. A link is available here: https://njcourts.zoomgov.com/j/1605276854.

For more information, to request an ADA accommodation, or for interpreting services, contact Monmouth Vicinage EEO/AA Officer Paulyn Holandez at 732-358-8700, ext. 87682 or paulyn.holandez@njcourts.gov.

The program is sponsored by the Monmouth Vicinage EEO/AA Advisory Committee and the Advisory Committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement.