Bernardsville, Basking Ridge Women Receive 'Eleanor Roosevelt' Award

Two local women, Kathy Redling of Bernardsville and Caroline Roi of Basking Ridge, received the Somerset County Federation of Democratic Women’s Eleanor Roosevelt Distinguished Service Award for their service to the community, and beyond, according to local Democratic committees.

The hard work and volunteer efforts by both were noted on Thursday, May 9, at Russo’s Continental in Bound Brook. Redling also was honored for her service to the Bernardsville Democratic Committee, while Roi was recognized for her work on the Bernards Township Democratic Committee.

At the awards banquet, Redling was introduced by Bob Frawley, chair of the Bernardsville Democrats and Borough Council candidate. He said Redling is a hard working volunteer who “sets a great example and makes a difference in our community.”  

Redling’s enthusiastic can-do attitude is reflected in both her professional and volunteer work, according to others at the event. “She’s one of those rare people who are willing and completely capable of making an idea become reality,” says Karen Brodsky, Director of the Bernardsville Public Library, where Kathy serves as reader services assistant.

The past two years, for example, Redling helped plan the Bernardsville Democrats’ Spell an End to Hunger Scrabble Tournament, according to information from the Democrats.

Through collections at both events, the Bernardsville Democrats donated more than 400 pounds of food to the Food Bank Network of Somerset County. While fighting hunger locally, these tournaments also increased the visibility of the Bernardsville Democrats.

Redling, a life-long borough resident is a second-generation Bernardsville Democrat. Her father, Don Spencer, served as district representative and ran for town council in 1971 against incumbent Pete Palmer, now Somerset County Freehold Director.  For the Bernardsville Democrats, Redling is a dependable volunteer who is happy to help, whether challenging on Election Day, penning editorials on pressing issues or discussing ballot questions with constituents. 

For nearly a decade, Redling has served the local Boy Scouts and shared her love of swimming, hiking and canoeing. She also teaches Sunday school at her church, where she helped start a Green Team. For the past four summers, Redling chaperoned her church’s Youth Group through the Appalachian Service Project, working on homes to make them dryer, safer and warmer.

At the Bernardsville Library, Redling also served as a board member, secretary and vice president. By far, she said her greatest pride remains her husband, Ron, and her teenage children, Sally and Brett, who lovingly refer to her as a “recycling nature-loving freak.”

Roi contributed to Democratic Committee and volunteer efforts in community

Roi moved to Basking Ridge thirteen years ago with her husband, Larry, and their daughter, Katrina, and joined the Bernards Township Democratic Committee as a district committeeperson. Over the years, she has helped with mailings, canvassed with candidates and made phone calls for local and county candidates.

Roi has been a dependable volunteer within her community, according to the Democratic organization. She joined the Municipal Alliance Against Drug Abuse and participated in projects to increase healthy behaviors among adults and teens, including teaching smoking cessation.

The biggest event was bringing Challenge Day, a day-long experiential program that demonstrates the possibilities of love and connection to Ridge High School students. The first program was held on September 11, 2001, and it continued for four years.

When the American Cancer Society started Relay for Life at Ridge High in 2003, Roi co-chaired the event and participated for the next two years. She also served on the board of the Newcomers and Neighbors of Somerset Hills and coordinates their foreign policy discussion group.

Since 2006, Roi has volunteered with the English as a Second Language program at the Bernardsville library. In January 2011, she went to Damascus for two months and taught academic writing to Iraqi refugee students bound for U.S. colleges. She also enjoys weekly quilting group and helps with the installation of exhibits at the Hunterdon Art Museum, according to the Democratic organization.