Isabella ‘Izzy’ Bergeron, a senior at Morristown High School, was selected by the Ford Foundation for Social Justice to speak at a recent ceremony in New York City celebrating Gloria Steinem’s 90th birthday.

Bergeron met Steinem in the summer of 2021 through her connection with Tools & Tiaras, a New York City nonprofit that aims to promote and prepare young girls for jobs in the construction trades. Bergeron, who has been a member of the organization since 2018, serves on the youth advisory board.

Gloria Steinem, left, with sisters Anastasia and Isabella ‘Izzy’ Bergeron in 2021. Photo courtesy of the Bergeron family.

Steinem, who became a global leader in efforts to bring more opportunities – and equal rights – to women in the 1960s and 70s, remains an activist and icon today. She was immediately attracted to the ideals behind the Tools & Tiaras program and has become an ardent supporter.

Bergeron and Paige Brown, a New York high school student, were selected to speak at the event to honor Steinem, detailing how she has been an inspiration to the current generation.

“It was a great honor to speak at an event that honors such an icon,” Bergeron said. “To learn how she did so much to help females of future generations has inspired me to do the same.”

The event drew an all-star cast of speakers who gave tributes, including Alice Walker (the novelist who wrote, The Color Purple), Abby Disney (a documentary film producer, philanthropist and social activist) and Marlo Thomas (actress, author and social activist).

Tools & Tiaras promotes its mission during one-day weekend workshops throughout the year and week-long camps during the summer. In 2019, the organization held a week-long camp at the Community Center in Morris Plains that was attended by more than a dozen local girls.