On October 29, from 3 - 5 p.m., the Spring Street Community Development Corporation will sponsor a free reception and "Friend Raiser" to honor the winner of the inaugural 2011 Spirit of Community Award, Mary Dougherty of Morristown, and celebrate the spirit of Mary Ann Cobb. It will be held at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum Haggerty Education Center,  253 East Hanover Avenue in Morristown.

Who Was Mary Ann Cobb?

Mary Ann Cobb was a Morristown woman of the Civil War era.  The wife of George T. Cobb – the first Mayor of Morristown, Congressman and philanthropist - she rose above prevailing convention to reach across social boundaries.  Her sense of civic engagement led her to act in a variety of ways.  In one case, after she purchased a building near the Green, she had it moved to a Spring Street location and donated it to the Bethel AME Church - which is celebrating its 168^th anniversary this month.  She provided many gifts to Morristown, the United Methodist Church, and to other groups.

Mary Ann Cobb reached out and was a unifying force at a time when the social and political divisions after the Civil War ran deep and hard.  Where some people saw ‘them’, she saw ‘us’ and acted on her vision.  She speaks to us today across the ages as a beacon and symbol of community, friendship and civic mindedness.

Come and share light hors d’oeuvres with old friends and build new relationships in the community.  Meet and socialize with people from all groups who relish a sense of shared community and common space, and gather to congratulate the winner of the inaugural 2011 Spirit of Community Award – Mary Dougherty of Morristown.

This event is sponsored by Bethel AME Church in Morristown, in partnership with Morris County NOW, Garden State Woman Magazine, and area restaurants.