Claudia Hodges is a proud Chilean immigrant, a proponent of progressive values, and a sixteen-year resident who feels very much at home in Bernards Township. With local and national politics trending away from many of the beliefs she holds dear, Claudia is motivated to make sure Bernards feels like home for residents of all political leanings and backgrounds.

Like many others after the 2016 election, Claudia found comfort in the local Bernards Progressive Women’s group. “I needed to be surrounded by women who shared my values, so I knew I wasn’t going crazy,” she remarked. Trump’s election ignited fear in Claudia. “I heard him speaking awfully about immigrants and it was painful to think my children could be hurt because I’m a brown person.”

Since that time, Claudia has taken action. Though she was commuting into New York City and raising two daughters she still managed to make phone calls and write letters to promote inclusive messaging during Trump’s first term. Today, she is working from home and creating space for progressive women both physically and online. She’s an active member and moderator of the Bernards Township Progressive Women Facebook page and aims to hold monthly in-person and virtual meetings.

And that’s just a start!

Hodges believes there’s much more work to be done. “My worry is there are forces in place driving a Republican agenda into every aspect of our town. I invite everyone to show up and serve in your community,” she said. “Show up and share your voice in Basking Ridge: In your churches and temples, in your neighborhood (and) in your schools. The other side is sharing stories,” she added, “We need to share our stories too, to speak our values. If people don’t know you, it’s easy for them to ignore you or hate you.”

Claudia is practicing what she preaches. In addition to her work with Progressive Women, she volunteers with God’s Co-op food pantry, is a youth leader and Sunday School teacher at Bishop Janes United Methodist Church and does her best to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere through all her circles. “We have come a long way,” she said. “Bernards needs to be a town that offers a safe space to all our people and our children. Our neurodivergent. Our LBGTQ+ friends. Everyone. We must protect this community.”

— Jen Aaron