Two Voorhees residents to receive the Camden County Freedom Medal
Thirteen Camden County residents have been chosen to receive the 2012 edition of the Camden County Freedom Medal for their unselfish contributions to improving their community. The award, created in 2001, is presented to civic leaders who demonstrate the ideals of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The event will be held on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Camden County Boathouse at the Cooper River, 7050 N. Park Drive, Pennsauken.
Nasim Badat and Mary Lamielle, both from Voorhees, will be honored at the event.
Badat, who was nominated by Habib Quraishi, has spent her entire life helping and reaching out to those in need of all ages. While principal at the Palmyra Mosque, Badat came up with an innovative speech competition, which enabled students to improve their public speaking skills and rise to the top of the class. She was not only a terrific educator; she also was instrumental in organizing the interfaith dialogue program between Jews, Christians, and Muslims.
Badat scheduled open houses for people of diverse faiths, ethnicities and cultures, gender and race. She helped people understand each other’s cultures and created a bond of friendship and trust for each other. Badat is a tireless supporter of community equality and togetherness.
Lamielle, who was nominated by Diane Reibel, is the founder and president of the National Center for Environmental Health Strategies.
Lamielle has spent her adult life standing up for those who have become ill due to effects from chemicals. For over thirty years, Lamielle has been a passionate educator and advocate. She works to inform citizens in not only her community, but statewide and across the country, on behalf of those who have become ill due to effects from exposure to chemicals.
Lamielle’s efforts led to the first in depth study on chemical sensitivity. This study received the prestigious Macedo award from the World Health Organization. Her work has also resulted in the implementation of Integrated Pest Management practices in New Jersey schools.
For ticket information, please call (856) 216–8217.
