Cape May County Freeholder E. Marie Hayes will be honored on November 13 by the National Foundation of Women Legislators (NFWL) as a “Woman of Excellence”. The Elected Women of Excellence Award was created by the NFWL to identify women who have worked tirelessly, often breaking down barriers and overcoming obstacles that once seemed insurmountable, to serve their communities. These pacesetters have engendered an environment where women can now serve in public office and fight for the issues they are passionate about.
Hayes retired from the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office in 2009 as Captain of Detectives and became a Freeholder in February 2013 and reelected in 2014 to her first three-year term. Hayes oversees the Board of Elections, Tourism, Public Information, Culture and Heritage, Library, Museum, Park and Zoo, Surrogate and Tax Board.
“This is an honor that is truly humbling. It is a privilege to be a member of this national organization and an honor to be recognized by my peers from throughout the country. The work we do as elected officials is rewarding in of itself, to earn this award along with my colleagues shows us our work doesn’t go unnoticed,” Hayes said.
The award will be presented at the annual conference in Washington DC. It is through this Award that we honor these women and their accomplishments. This award was established in 2013 as part of NFWL’s 75th Anniversary Celebration in order to honor the hard work and dedication of women leaders from across the country. At most, one Republican and one Democrat from each state can be selected for this prestigious honor.
