1025 Super Women - FINAL - ALL_SJM Feature 10 / 21 / 25 1 : 41 PM Page 3 S U P E R W O M E N 2 0 2 5 VALERIE GALE Muhammad is the founder and president of Women Who Never Give Up , Inc . ( WWNG - UP ) , a Buickerood extended her grassroots nonprofit dedicated to com mitment to community be - empowering currently and formerly yond retirement after a career in the incarcerated people and their loved nonprofit sector . In 2007 , she joined ones through education and ac - the staff of the Alice Paul Center for tivism . The tragic death of her sec - Gender Justice where she served in var - ond husband Tariq during his incar - ious capacities — from administrative ceration serves as the driving force and fundraising roles to executive di - behind both Muhammad’s and the rector of the women and girls ’ empow - organization’s relentless pursuit of erment organization . During this pe - justice and reform . riod , Buickerood immersed herself in WWNG - UP’s first partner was learning effective nonprofit manage - the late William H . Buckman , who ment and took her knowledge to or - is one of Muhammad’s greatest ganizations in Mercer and Camden counties . mentors and collaborators . In her During Buickerood’s time as director of development at Hopeworks Camden , 30 - plus years of organizing , she it received the first grant by Impact100 South Jersey , then a new chapter of a has collaborated with organizations including NJISJ , NJ ACLU , NJ DPA , FAMM , global women’s collective giving organization . Buickerood decided to join the or - Latino Action Alliance , Volunteers of America , NJAC and Integrity House . Since ganization shortly after , and has been a member for seven years . 2005 , WWNG - UP has been a leading force in legal empowerment , participatory Since retiring in 2021 , Buickerood invests her time and talents in helping Im - defense , and inside / outside organizing with incarcerated people . pact100 South Jersey expand its membership and giving to nonprofits in Burlington , Beyond her leadership role in WWNG - UP , Muhammad is known nationally Camden , Gloucester and Cumberland counties . She has served on several committees as a devoted , passionate activist for criminal justice and prison reform who is and co - chaired the Nonprofit Outreach Committee and further promotes the orga - driven by the wisdom , experiences and guidance of currently and formerly in - nization as a member of its leadership council . What’s more , Buickerood has been carcerated people alike . Muhammad believes that prison reform happens through involved in several local nonprofits like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cumberland & not only legislative measures but also community - based approaches that support Salem Counties , the Farmers Against Hunger program of the New Jersey Agricultural family members and other loved ones whose lives are disrupted by the challenges Society , the Pinelands Preservation Association and the Cherry Hill Free Clinic . of incarceration . BERNADETTE LAURA Wall joined Court Ap - pointed Special Advo - AsCEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Camden County , Shanahan leads cates ( CASA ) of South - Central a passionate team of staff , volunteers and board members who care deeply about New Jersey in 2019 , bringing the children and families they serve . Her work focuses on building strong relation - three decades ’ experience lead - ships with the board to strengthen ing nonprofit organizations in - governance and strategy , and with cluding Coalition Against Hunger volunteers to ensure their time and and Interfaith Housing Alliance talents are meaningfully connected in our region , and Aurora Reha - to the mission . Shanahan takes bilitation Services in Harrisburg . pride in creating a culture where CASA’s mission is to advocate for everyone feels their contribution youth in the foster - care system matters — whether they’re leading and to connect them to essential a committee , mentoring a child or resources for their health , pro - organizing a community event . tection , growth and happiness . Shanahan also serves as vice She was the founding direc - president for the Boys & Girls Clubs tor of The Kids ’ Center , serving of New Jersey , working closely with at - risk children in Illinois . Her community involvement has included serving as a colleagues across the state to share member of The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission’s Task Force on Civil resources , align initiatives and build Tension , The North Penn Community Health Foundation board , Montgomery collective capacity . This collabora - County Homelessness Prevention Committee and as chair of the North Penn CEO tion helps ensure that local clubs — and the people who support them — have Roundtable . She currently serves as a board member of Belonging To Each Other , the tools and networks they need to succeed . an organization working to end homelessness . She studied philosophy at Mac - She additionally serves on the board of Raise the Bar , which provides services Murray College and holds a master’s certificate in nonprofit executive leadership and advocacy for children with disabilities . This experience has deepened her un - from the Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work . derstanding of how inclusive , coordinated leadership can remove barriers and She developed and taught a course on community engagement at Drexel open doors for families . University , and is a past recipient of the Yaffe - Robert Johnson Smith Civil Rights What inspires Shanahan most is seeing how teamwork , leadership and gen - Award for her work promoting interfaith understanding , and the Martin Luther erosity intersect . She believes when people come together with purpose , the King Jr . Service Award . An avid animal lover , Wall has also volunteered her time impact reaches beyond one organization and builds stronger , more compassionate with local animal rescue efforts . communities .