MILLVILLE — four women, selected from a field of 50 nominees, will be inducted into the Cumberland County Women’s Hall of Fame during an April 21 award ceremony at Centerton County Club.

This year’s honorees are Ann Budde of Bridgeton and Gladis McGraw, Misono Miller and Elizabeth Nicke, all of Millville.

“Our area is so fortunate to have in our past and present times many women of remarkable accomplishments,” said Louise T. Bertacchi, founder and board of directors president of the local hall of fame. “Their outstanding work will lead to a better future for today’s young women.”

Where each woman has uniquely distinguished herself, Bertacchi noted they share some common traits.

“They are all likeable. They give from their hearts,” she said. “They are just good, hard-working sincere women.”

Each October, the hall of fame board invites nominations from the public.

In January, a five-member nominations committee narrowed the applications to those deemed pioneers or innovators and role models to other women, Bertacchi said.

In addition to honoring the achievements of contemporary women, Bertacchi said, the hall of fame is giving special recognition to three women no longer with us.

  • Anna Robeson Reeves of Bridgeton — a pioneer in the development of the arts in Bridgeton.
  • Sherry Lee Petril — an interior designer for Brody’s Furniture in Vineland and president of the New Jersey Chapter of the Interior Design Society.
  • Mary Adelia Treat of Vineland, a world-renowned biologist who once proved Charles Darwin wrong on one of his theories.

    And Bertacchi, who does not vote on the inductees, selects a local woman to receive the “Founder’s Award.”

    This year’s winner is Josephine Pagano of Vineland for her longtime service to the Woman’s Club and many volunteer contributions to the community.Pagano and the inductees are each awarded a hand-blown glass art piece the hall of fame commissions from Wheaton Arts.

    The 2010 Cumberland County Women’s Hall of Fame inductees are:

  • Ann Budde — the first woman vice-president of a non-Catholic hospital in New Jersey, the first woman Bridgeton Rotary Club member and the first female Cumberland County Board of Vocational Education president.

    • Cumberland Women’s Hall of Fame poised to induct 4