City officials recently recognized the devoted service of New Brunswick Board of Education member Emra Seawood, who died in February at the age of 75. In a Feb. 19 TAPinto story by Chuck O’Donnell, Seawood was praised as a fierce advocate for students. An excerpt of the story appears below.
NEW BRUNSWICK – Emra Seawood, whose quiet grace belied her fiery passion for serving the city’s students as a longtime Board of Education member, has died at home at 75, a spokesperson for the school district confirmed on (Feb. 19).
She served on the New Brunswick Board of Education for 28 years, after being appointed by Mayor Jim Cahill. Councilwoman Petra Gaskins said Seawood “will be greatly missed” as she led a moment of silence before the (Feb. 19) City Council meeting.
Ivan Adorno, the Board of Education vice president, remembers watching Seawood give detailed, deliberate updates on the curriculum committee in a low voice during public meetings.
“She was so soft-spoken and tiny, but she was the personification of speak softly and carry a big stick,” said Adorno. “In those closed sessions, the way she fought for our students, and the fire and conviction she showed when she felt something was unjust … the passion in her, it shocked me my first two meetings.”
Seawood, who also served on the personnel committee, was reelected to the board in 2023. She is the past president of the PTO at Redshaw and Lincoln schools and the past vice president of the PTO at New Brunswick High School.
“Emra Seawood was the embodiment of dedication, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to the children and families of New Brunswick,” New Brunswick Mayor Jim Cahill said.
Read the full article about Emra Seawood here.
