A daughter of Allentown
Women's group lauds longtime resident as Woman of the Year

Laura Steward, a longtime Allentown resident, recently received the Women's Association of Allentown's Woman of the Year Award.

ALLENTOWN - Laura Steward has been recognized as one of the borough's truest citizens.

The Women's Association of Allentown recently presented Steward, a longtime Allentown resident, with its Woman of the Year Award. The association recognized Steward at a dinner and with a ride in the borough's Memorial Day parade as its honoree, according to Mary Cicco, the publicity chairwoman for the association.

Steward grew up in Allentown, attended its schools and has many relatives in the area. The association recognizes her as a quiet and forceful spirit with her main priorities being family, church and, of course, Allentown, according to Cicco.

"She is a wonderful and devoted mother who encouraged family dinners, church attendance and family togetherness," Cicco said.

For many years, Steward has been a member of the Allentown Baptist Church, where she serves as a deaconess and a member of the women's group. She is also a staunch Republican and was very active in Allentown politics on many levels throughout the years, according to Cicco. Steward is also a longtime member of the Allentown-Upper Freehold Historical Society.

"Within this last year, Laura has been involved in the attempt to bring new life to the group," Cicco said. "It is an important organization for this historic area."

In 1985, Steward and her sister, Roberta Holmes, donated more than 1,000 items of historical significance to the Monmouth County Historical Association. They had inherited the items from an Allentown insurance company owned by their father, Joe Schooley, according to Cicco.

The donated goods included detailed accounts of rural properties in the area along with lists of furniture, household items and personal possessions that all help to describe local history.

As a member of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), which is a women's organization for the descendants of individuals who aided in achieving American independence, Steward is recognized as having a lot of family history to be proud of, Cicco said.

"She is a collector of local memorabilia and a wealth of information, only too willing to share," Cicco said.

One of Steward's greatest gifts to the area, Cicco said, was that she started the local Meals on Wheels program with Alice Ayers. Throughout the years, the volunteers in the program have provided countless meals to those in need.

Despite her public contributions, Cicco added that Steward is also a "behind-the-scenes person" who has driven neighbors to the hospital and has provided meals and words of comfort to people in times of need.

Cicco said the association has found Steward to be an inspiration to others, as well as a source of invaluable information and a quiet voice of reason.

"Laura Steward epitomizes what a true citizen is," Cicco said, "and is a true daughter of Allentown."