Archives 2011

Tim Ronaldson

Attorney Shereen C. Chen spoke about the joys and the honor of being a U.S. citizen last week during the Citizen Naturalization Ceremony at Burlington County Superior Court in Mount Holly.

Chen became an American citizen at the age of 16. Her family came here from Taiwan when Shereen was only two years old. In her law practice Chen assists sports stars, business people, medical personnel, religious leaders and those from a variety of walks of life with citizenship and immigration. She has been an immigration attorney for the past 15 years and has received numerous awards and honors for her work including this year being named an Outstanding Woman of the Year in Burlington County.

Twenty-five new citizens received certificates and were welcomed last week during the ceremonies.

“It’s always an honor to participate in these ceremonies,” Chen said. “I love to see the happiness on the faces of the new citizens. It reminds me how fortunate we are to live in this country and how we should never take it for granted.”

Nine women will be honored at this year’s Outstanding Women Awards banquet to be held Thursday, March 31 at Merion Caterers in Cinnaminson. The honorees cover a range of categories, and include a social studies teacher and mentor who “makes history come alive,” a breast cancer survivor who counsels other cancer victims, and a doctor who helps women without insurance receive necessary healthcare. Add to that Victoria Lee, a Moorestown High School senior, who will also receive a $500 scholarship for her efforts to publicize poverty and abuse of women in places around the world. The awards program is sponsored and run by the county’s Advisory Council on Women.

“There is no getting around it, this is an outstanding lineup of high achievers,” said Freeholder Mary Ann O’Brien. “As always, the advisory council has brought before us an impressive group of individuals with outstanding records of community involvement and leadership.”

Shereen C. Chen Gray, Esq. of Mount Laurel

Through her work for the firm in Marlton in which she practices in Immigration and Nationality law, she has aided women in terrifying situations, like the Chinese girl who needed to get away from her abusive family, and orphaned refugees from the Sudan. She continues to help women through her work for Jewish Family and Children’s Service. Her pro bono work, helping battered women and children gain residency, earned her the New Jersey Bar Association’s Award in 2006.