Aura Dunn launches fellowship to encourage women in public service, at The Morristown Club

By Ellen S. Wilkowe

In March, as a featured panelist for Women in Public Office Day, state Assemblywoman Aura Dunn urged women to consider public service.

“We need you in government,” the 25th District Republican said.

Now, Dunn has unveiled a plan to help make that happen, announcing the Aura K. Dunn Fellowship and issuing a recruitment call to the next generation of public servants.

“Representation and leadership matter,” she said last month at The Morristown Club. “I want to inspire the next generation to enter government and more importantly, to restore the dignity of public service as a profession.”

The fellowship will give a graduate student the opportunity to observe governance by shadowing women leaders at the state, county and municipal levels, gaining exposure to legislative deliberations, executive decision-making and public administration.

“The goal is to gain valuable insight into how public institutions function and how leaders navigate complex policy challenges that would not be possible without extraordinary women,” Dunn said.

Dunn introduced the inaugural fellow, Cristina Alvarado, a County College of Morris graduate headed to Rutgers University to study law and public administration.

Alvarado has worked in the behavioral health field serving people with disabilities and overcame challenges growing up in foster care.

“This sparked her passion for advocacy,” Dunn said. “She chose purpose and by helping others she chose public service. That embodies exactly what this fellowship is.”

Dunn announced the fellowship before a room filled with Republican officials and supporters at The Morristown Club, a venue that admitted only men until the 1980s.

“The woman who shaped my understanding of leadership was also the first woman member of the Morristown Club,” Dunn said, citing the late Rep. Millicent Fenwick.

“She was fair, tough and funny. She also said that ‘government is justice.’ In today’s environment that sounds radical but I’m going to be radical today.”

Among those attending were Morris County Commissioner Christine Myers, Morris County Clerk Ann Grossi, Randolph Councilwoman Denise Thornton, Chester Borough Mayor Janet Hoven, Mendham Borough Mayor Jim Kelly and Mendham Township Mayor Sarah Neibart.

Dunn also highlighted the work of the Eagleton Institute of Politics’ Center for American Women and Politics.

“They want to ensure women and all their diversity are represented in government,” she said. “They want to expand the influence of women on public life.”

Reflecting on her own path in the male-dominated world of Capitol Hill, Dunn recalled bringing her 5-year-old daughter to the office in an earlier era of Take Your Daughter to Work Day.

“There were no helicopters landing on front lawns or face-painting,” Dunn said. “She was pretty bored. But when we were going through security, she turned to me and said, ‘Mommy, you work with all the men.’”

For Dunn, being the only woman in the room often felt routine.

Recalling a fellowship at Ford Motor Co.’s Washington Affairs office, she noted: “There were 23 lobbyists and one fellow—me.”

‘A NECESSARY IDEA’

The initiative also drew support from Saint Elizabeth University in Madison.

“This fellowship comes at a critical time in our nation, our state and our communities,” said Patricia Heindel, associate vice president of academic affairs and dean of the School of Professional Studies, speaking on behalf of university President Gary Crosby. “We need principled, compassionate and service-oriented leaders who are willing to engage.”

Neibart said the fellowship addresses a growing need.

“Creating a fellowship wasn’t a good idea, it was a necessary one,” she said. “At a time when civic engagement is declining and public discourse can often feel cynical and divisive, programs like this matter enormously.”

Elected mayor at 27, Neibart reflected on the challenges young leaders face.

“People love the idea of getting young people involved until that young person is the one sitting at the table leading the meeting or making the decision,” she said. “And that reality is why these programs are important. I wish I had this opportunity when I was younger.”

Dunn’s chief of staff, Jeffrey Wood, said mentorship is often more valuable than titles.

“I often have recent grads who approach me for advice on government or politics,” he said. “What I tell them is, do not chase a title or a salary. Instead find genuine people who will teach you, support you and invest in your personal growth.”

Grossi echoed that theme.

“There are people who helped me,” she said. “All of the women here, we all had some guidance from somebody we called a mentor. The opportunities that I had would not have happened for me without the mentors.”

“It’s time to pass the baton and help shape the next generation of leaders,” she added.

“This mission is very in line with my wheelhouse. I want to educate the next generation of younger people on how to behave so I can rely on them.”

Neibart said the fellowship can help prepare future leaders for public service.

“Leadership is not about age, it’s about preparation, collaboration, problem solving and sometimes difficult conversations and difficult decisions,” she said. “Public service may not be glamorous every day but it’s deeply rewarding. It’s about serving the community you love and improving lives.”