Women’s History Month: Highlight on Randi Quilici
NJSFWC ECONNECTION
March 21, 2024
Shirley A. Holly, NJSFWC President
Randi Quilici joined NJSFWC in 2012 as a member of The Woman’s Club of Brielle. She designed and developed their clubs first website in 2014 and won NJSFWC Grand Website Award in May 2017 and GFWC Second Place in 2018. She was Chairman of her clubs’ largest fundraiser, Brielle Day Craft Show in 2016 that attracts up to 30,000 yearly visitors. She completely transitioned the paper and mailing process of registration to an automated process with 600 vendors.
Randi served as Club President 2018-2020 and installed 38 new members in two years. She started an Evening Committee in 2018 that is thriving today with 40 members and is constantly growing. Randi is presently serving as Bylaws Co-Chairman in her club. She was the LEADS Graduate in 2019, Shore District Vice President 2020-2022, and is presently Benefits Development Chairman.
Through the last few years of Randi serving on NJSFWC State Board, as Randi and I have gotten to know each other better, she has been sharing some of the details about a young woman she has been mentoring. It’s such a wonderful story, I asked if I could share.
In 2019 while Randi was club President, her girlfriend brought in a $5,000 check donated from a law firm. This check was specifically for two $2500 Asbury Park High School scholarships. The students were poor. Since the one student, Yerdi, lived in terrible abusive conditions at home in Asbury Park and was heading for a homeless shelter in Toms River, Randi and her girlfriend found a rooming board house in Ocean Grove and moved Yerdi into a small one bedroom with a bathroom down the hall. Yerdi was thrilled. She had just graduated from high school, her family did not attend, but Randi and some members of the Brielle Woman’s Club were in attendance. This was three days after Yerdi turned 17 and she could be legally independent but a ward of the state. This was her first bedroom away from home. She told Randi it was the first time she could sleep without having to keep one eye open.
She was a waitress, walked to work, paid her own bills, and did not have a car. Randi picked her up every two weeks to spend the day with her, have lunch, go to the movies, shop at the mall, then food shopping to last two weeks. A member of Brielle gave Randi $2,000 to buy an Apple computer for Yerdi since she enrolled in Brookdale College & also had the scholarship. A year later she transferred to Georgian Court University in Lakewood and had 1 ½ years left of school to become a Social Worker. Yerdi spends Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at Randi’s home, she never having had a real Christmas before. They bake cookies, make ginger-bread houses, and they go to mass. Randi is one of three mentors. The other two are Yerdi’s therapist from when she was 16 and the guidance counselor from Asbury Park High School. Yerdi is 22, and will graduate from Georgian Court in May with a Business Degree.
Randi’s selfless acts, from providing a safe living environment for Yerdi to supporting her educational pursuits, highlight the power of mentorship and the profound impact it can have on an individual’s life trajectory. Her commitment to guiding and nurturing Yerdi through challenges and triumphs demonstrates the true essence of leadership and service.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, Randi Quilici’s story which serves a powerful reminder of the remarkable contributions made by NJSFWC members, like herself, who embody the spirit of empowerment, support, and advocacy for women and their communities. Her dedication as a mentor and role model sets a shining example for us all to follow. Randi is indeed one of the many extraordinary members of NJSFWC, and her story is a testament to the organization’s impactful work and unwavering commitment to making a difference.