- Home
- News & Views
- Topical Groups
- Education
- Careers
- Quick Links, etc

Welcome to the North Jersey Women Chemists Committee (WCC) web page. Our vision is empowering women throughout the chemical enterprise.
The Women Chemists Committee serves the membership of the American Chemical Society. Our mission is to attract, retain, develop, promote, and advocate for women to positively impact diversity, equity and inclusion in the Society and the profession. There are four goals designed to fulfill the mission statement:
-
-
Increase engagement and retention of women
-
Advocate and educate within the Society on issues of importance to women
-
Enhance leadership and career development opportunities for women
- Highlight contributions of women
-
Committee Contacts
If you have any questions about WCC or if you would like to be added to our email list, please contact one of our committee members. All are welcome to join at our events! We are planning to do this at least twice a year.
Chair:
Siqi Sun
(813) 270-9770
siqi.sun.analytical@gmail.com
Secretary:
Sandra Keyser, PhD
sandrakkeyser@gmail.com
Treasurer:
Miriam Gulotta
mgulotta@njacs.org
(Past Events)
Dec 12, 2018 – Women’s Entrepreneur Series kickoff
From Sniff to Sip: A Sensory Adventure into the Fragrance of Wine
The North Jersey Women’s Chemists Committee (NJWCC) in conjunction with the North Jersey Section of the American Chemical Society (NJACS) hosted the first installment of its new Women’s Entrepreneur Series.
From Sniff to Sip: A Sensory Adventure into the Fragrance of Wine was held on December 12th 2018 at Vibe in Riverdale Square Mall. The all-inclusive event held 50 attendees from a variety of backgrounds such as the ACS, Eastern Analytical Society (EAS), Women’s Flavor and Fragrance Committee (WFFC), and Society for Cosmetic Chemists (SCC) as well as non-scientists and their families with backgrounds in acting, firefighting, nursing and web design to name a few. The crowds’ diversity allowed for some very fun and lively discussions on the wines, the fragrances and what memories and feelings they invoked.
Our two speakers, Kelly Jones and Heidi Bonwell, traded off stories and colorful tips about wine and fragrance throughout the event where guests were able to sniff Kelly’s amazing wine fragrances while sipping some of Heidi’s expertly selected wines. The scents and wines complimented each other and brought out the best in each for a unique sensory experience for all of the guests.
Scent sommelier Kelly Jones, the founder of Kelly+Jones, gave a unique perspective on wine took away the stuffiness for wine beginners while taking the game up a notch for the experienced wine connoisseur. Kelly shared her passion for fragrance, how it got her kicked out of a wine tasting room and inspired her to start her own company. Kelly showed our guests how to get the most out of a fragrance, how to use the instruments of the trade and what inspired her unique fragrances. Kelly + Jones is a boutique fragrance brand featuring olfactive experiences inspired by the vineyard and beyond. Kelly has been featured in Food and Wine, Wine Enthusiast and on The Today Show.
Heidi Bonwell is the Regional Manager Tomasello Winery Tomasello Winery. Heidi’s passion for wine began in 1990 as an exchange student in Australia. She started growing her palate and knowledge base while living in Benalla, Victoria, where she was able to visit many of the wineries in the state. Heidi is certified with distinction as a Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Level 2 (WSET 2) expert and is regional manager at Tomesello Winery. Heidi shared her passion for wine, how she turned it into a rewarding career and some tricks of the trade on all things wine- starting with to how to get the most out of that first sip, what is the best temperature to bring out the best flavor and how to properly store left overs.
A few comments from our attendees:
“Attending the event was insightful and captivating. The wine representative explained in detail each wine sample and food items that could accompany both the whites and the reds. Furthermore, having the sniff and sip was very informative for beginner wine drinkers. For example I did not know you were not supposed to wear perfume to a wine tasting. I never thought that the smell of my perfume could influence the taste of wine.” L. Gillespie
“I know very little about wine and was not sure what to expect at the event. I was very pleasantly surprised by all the things I learned about wine and the creation of different fragrances. Both presenters were knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their areas of expertise. The beautifully decorated venue also added to the entire experience.” L. Sofia
“The very creative topic is what attracted me to attend the event. When I entered the venue on the evening of the Sniff and Sip event I was highly satisfied by the open space to mingle with the other attendees as well as the speakers and the committee members. I was also very impressed by the way the space was used and how beautiful the tables and bar area looked; it very much matched the theme of the night. Everyone was very friendly and seemed like-minded as we were all open to learning. I really learned so much more than just about fragrances and wine; lots of tidbits of information from the presenters and the questions asked by the attendees. I was especially grateful when Lauren taught us all how to properly use a fragrance blotter. It all exceeded my expectations and I cannot wait for the next event!” R. Adwar
A special thank you to our sponsors . . .
. . . and to the people that donated to Tackle Kids Cancer and helped us to raise over $150 for the cause http://www.tacklekidscancer.org/. The Children’s Cancer Institute at Hackensack University Medical Center started an initiative to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer patients called Tackle Kids Cancer.
(Past Events)
Dec 12, 2018 – WCC: Women’s Entrepreneur Series
From Sniff to Sip: A Sensory Adventure into the Fragrance of Wine
The North Jersey Women’s Chemists Committee (WCC) in conjunction with the North Jersey Section of the American Chemical Society (NJACS) would like to cordially invite you to the first installment of our women’s entrepreneur series for a fun, interactive sensory adventure into the fragrance of wine.
Scent sommelier Kelly Jones, the founder of Kelly+Jones, will share her inspirational story and fragrances designed to pair with wine. Her unique perspective on wine takes away the stuffiness for wine beginners while taking the game up a notch for the experienced wine connoisseur. Kelly has been featured in Food and Wine, Wine Enthusiast and on The Today Show.
Heidi Bonwell, is certified with distinction as a Wine & Spirits Education Trust, Level 2 (WSET 2) expert and is regional manager at Tomasello Winery. Heidi will share her inspirational story on how she turned her passion for wine into a rewarding career and some tricks of the trade on all things wine- starting with to how to get the most out of that first sip and much more.
Proceeds from the event will go to Tackle Kids Cancer and Project Seed.A special thank you to our sponsors:
Event: | NJ-WCC: Sniff to Sip – A Sensory Adventure | ||
Date: | Wednesday, December 12th, 2018 | ||
Venue: | VIBE at Riverdale Square Mall, 92 Route 23, Riverdale, NJ 07457 | ||
Time: | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | ||
Cost: | *Fee includes presentations and light fare
|
||
Register: | Paying the fee registers you for the event. | ||
Questions? | Contact lauren@laurencastelli.com |
(Past Events)
Oct 9, 2014 – MWCC: 5th Annual Gift of Mentoring Event
The MWCC social gathering / networking event
“Painting Chemistry”
The MWCC will be hosting a social gathering/networking event called “Painting Chemistry”. Aimee Bergvall from Zest 4 Art will be leading a painting class where attendees will learn how to develop masterpieces on old vinyl records. A preview of the painting and additional information can be found at http://zest4art.com/calendar-2/. The cost will be $35 per person. Light refreshments will be provided.
Please register by sending an email to sbolton@ramapo.edu.
Date: Thursday, October 9th, 2014
Time: 6-8 pm
Place: Maywood Presbyterian Church, 401 Maywood Ave, Maywood
Date: | Thursday, October 9th, 2014 |
Venue: | Maywood Presbyterian Church, 401 Maywood Ave, Maywood |
Time: | The event starts at 6:00pm and includes light refreshments. |
(Past Events)
Apr 1, 2014 – MWCC: 5th Annual Gift of Mentoring Event
The MWCC Gift of Mentoring Event
The Metro Women Chemist Committee invites you to the 5th annual Gift of Mentoring Award Ceremony. The evening will include a panel discussing the importance of mentoring, from the perspectives of both mentors and students.
Date: | Monday, April 1, 2014 |
Venue: | Farleigh Dickinson University in Madison - The Hartman Lounge |
Time: | The event starts at 6:00pm and include dinner. |
The cost is $20 ($10 for unemployed/students). Please pay at the door. Feel free to bring a bottle of wine. Also, please feel free to pass this announcement on to your colleagues and friends.
Please RSVP by March 25th.
This year there will be something extra…
Val and Mark Kuck are both earning their 50 year member status in 2014 but will not be able to join us for the more established Awards Dinner to be held in May, as they are moving to San Diego. Because they have given the NJACS more than 40 years of dedicated and selfless energy and effort, we must celebrate this fantastic duo. Therefore on the same night that we celebrate Gift of Mentoring Award Winner, we will celebrate Val and Mark Kuck!!!!!
Directions to the FDU campus can be found on their website:
For Further details as the event approaches please return to this webpage or email Sarah Carberry
Thank you,
Amber Charlebois, Diane Krone and Sarah Carberry
(Past Events)
Apr 26, 2013 – MWCC: 4th Annual Gift of Mentoring Event
The Gift of Mentoring
The Metro Women Chemist Committee invites you to the 4th annual Gift of Mentoring Award Ceremony. This year the award will be presented to Susan Fahrenholtz. The evening will include a panel discussing the importance of mentoring, from the perspectives of both mentors and students.
Date: | Friday, April 26, 2013 |
Venue: | Farleigh Dickinson University in Madison - The Hartman Lounge |
Time: | The event starts at 6:00pm and include dinner. |
The cost is $20 ($10 for unemployed/students). Feel free to bring a bottle of wine. Also, please feel free to pass this announcement on to your colleagues and friends. (Several email addresses on our mailing list no longer exist.)
Please RSVP to Sarah Carberry (sbolton@ramapo.edu) by April 11th.
Directions to the FDU campus can be found on their website:
For Further details as the event approaches please return to this webpage or email Sarah Carberry
(Past Events)
Feb 19, 2013 – MWCC Meeting – “Doin’ Dishes”
ACS-NJ Metro Women Chemists Committee would like you to join us for “Doin’ Dishes” Tuesday, February 19th 2013 – 6:00pm. We will be painting pottery at “Doin’ Dishes” – a Paint Your Own Ceramics Studio in Montclair, NJ, on the corner of Church St. and South Park St. at 50 Church St. Visit their website, www.doindishes.com, for more details and directions.
Come join us for an evening of artistic expression, stress relief, and conversation with some interesting ladies.
Space may be limited so RSVP as soon as you can – an RSVP would be appreciated by February 14th, 2013. To RSVP contact Sarah Carberry: sbolton@ramapo.edu. A printable flyer is available upon request.
Also, please feel free to pass this announcement on to your colleagues and friends. (Several email addresses that I have for women I’ve invited in the past no longer work.)
How it works:
- Choose from a wide selection of over 150 ceramic pieces. Unfinished pieces range from $5 to $33.
- Select colors from a paint chart.
- Paint it using brushes, sponges, stamps, or stencils. Paint time costs $7/hour (Tuesday Special is $7 for the whole evening). Includes unlimited use of paints, supplies, idea books, and instruction.
- Leave it to be glazed and fired in our kiln. Your masterpiece will be ready in one week.
- Take it home and ENJOY.
(Past Events)
Feb 19, 2013 – MWCC Meeting Report – “Doin’ Dishes”
Despite the rainy cold weather the Metro Women Chemist Committee held its 2013 spring networking meeting on February 19th. The meeting was held at “Doin Dishes” in Montclair. The ladies who attended painted pottery, enjoyed wine and cheese, and networked. It was interesting to see the artistic side of the members, a few examples of the finished products (pre-fired) can be seen below. To receive more information about our group, future meetings, or to be added to the mailing list please contact the chair of the committee: Sarah Carberry at sbolton@ramapo.edu.