Diana Pardue, Director of Museum Programs at Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island, will present “Ellis Island:  Island of Hope, Island of Tears,” the award-winning film documentary, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm Thursday, Oct 25, at the Madison Community House, 25 Cook Ave.  This will be the first of three programs for the Thursday Morning Club’s lunch and lecture series, “Wise Wonderful Women.”  

An expert in immigration history, Ms Pardue’s talk and film will reveal why and how millions of immigrants journeyed across the world to Ellis Island hoping for a better life for themselves and their children.  Her presentation coincides with the re-opening of the interior of the 126-year-old Statue of Liberty on Oct 28, Lady Liberty’s birthday, after a $27-million renovation that took place over the past year.  

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in history, Pardue began her career with the National Park Service where she has been employed for four decades.  She is responsible for numerous programs and activities available to the thousands of people who visit the Statue of Liberty on Liberty Island and the Immigration Museum on Ellis Island each day.  She oversees all cultural resources, the museum collection, media and several temporary exhibits each year.  She also manages the research library, exhibit cataloging and storage, oral history program and museum and audio visual staff.  

Despite her busy schedule, Ms. Pardue volunteers at homeless shelters in New York City.  She spends her leisure time traveling internationally, visiting national parks and museums and attending the opera and theater. 

The event is open to the public.  The registration fee of $35 includes lunch and the lecture.  Checks can be made payable and mailed to “TMC, Wise, Wonderful Women,” P. O. Box 345, Madison, NJ 07940.  Cancelled checks will serve as a receipt; no tickets will be mailed. For additional information contact Mary McCann (973) 377-4921 maryrosemccann@verizon.net or Rose Mary Dinnhaupt, Ways and Means Chairwoman,   rmdinnhaupt@verizon.net. 

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Madison Community House.  The Thursday Morning Club, a social and philanthropic organization, owns and operates the Madison Community House, Nursery School and the Before and After School Child Care program.  Organized in 1896, the Club is a member of both the New Jersey State and General Federation of Women’s Clubs.  Since its inception, the club has provided community support programs as well as a home for the town’s various sports, recreational and civic groups.  For information about the Thursday Morning Club or membership, call the Community House at 973-377-0244 or visit www.TMCMCH.org.