Growing up in the small northern New Jersey town of Old Tappan during the nineties, Christine Massaro cherished the quiet, close-knit community she called home. 

Today, Massaro remains a resident of Old Tappan and now holds the greater responsibility of serving as the town’s only female councilmember, giving back to the place that raised her. Massaro is not just making a difference through enforcing policies; she is inspiring a younger generation of girls, teaching that they don’t need to leave their small-town home to make a difference.

As a child, Massaro took advantage of all the opportunities Old Tappan had to offer. She enjoyed riding her bike to local parks, attending the town’s camps, competing in both recreational and school-wide athletics, and visiting the public library for reading hour.

“I have fond memories of growing up in Old Tappan and having so many wonderful offerings for children,” says Massaro. 

After graduating from high school and later college, Massaro never forgot those wonderful memories she made in Old Tappan and decided to move back to the town she grew up in. There, she used her Masters in Education Technology to become a history teacher at Northern Valley Regional High School at Old Tappan (NVOT), the same high school she graduated from. Advisor of NVOT Varsity Club and instructor of numerous courses such as U.S. History 2, Constitutional Law, History of US through Film Media, and American Studies, Massaro’s involved presence in both the high school’s academic and extracurricular environment has earned her respect and admiration from students and colleagues alike. But for Massaro, that was just the beginning.

Moved by fictional character Leslie Knope, Massaro wanted to make a difference in her own community as well. 

“This is actually a funny answer to admit but truthfully, Leslie Knope, the fictional heroine of the show Parks and Rec, has been a big inspiration to me. I watch that show and her character’s inherent goodness and hope in her ability to make small differences inspires me,” says Massaro. 

Luckily, Massaro was able to become her inspiration when councilman Ron Binaghi urged her to consider running for town council when she was only in her thirties. Massaro excitedly agreed and was successfully elected into office, where she since then remains Old Tappan’s only councilwoman, leading with confidence and ease on the male-dominated team.

“I am thankful that I work with a mayor and council that treat me with equal respect as they would a man,” she said. “I do bristle a little in meetings and correspondence when people automatically call me CouncilMAN Massaro; I don’t usually correct them, but sometimes I do because it’s important for me to show our younger generation of girls that they, too, can and do have a seat at the table so to speak.”

Now, Massaro also serves as the council liaison to several committees, the most recent being the Old Tappan Youth Council (OTYC). 

“I believe her work with the Youth Council is very important to the future of Old Tappan,” says Old Tappan mayor Thomas Gallagher. “The Youth Council, only formed in 2024, makes sure our young adults are involved in many of the important decisions that will shape the future of Old Tappan and Councilwoman Massaro takes her teaching skills to communicate properly with our young adults and motivates them to get involved with our community.”

This past year, members of the OTYC led several successful projects, the most notable among them being a campaign to implement new crosswalks by NVOT so that students could walk to and from school safely. With the support of Massaro, the town council agreed to the idea and is soon to begin the construction of three new crosswalks. 

“Massaro has helped advise me and my peers in the Old Tappan Youth Council (OTYC) by using her influence in the town to make things happen,” says high school junior and secretary of OTYC Emilia Sanchez. 

Yet, what Sanchez finds inspiring about Massaro isn’t just her unwavering support but rather her willingness to take on a leadership position in a male-dominated council. 

“Being the only female councilmember is something that stands out for Mrs. Massaro, and as a female, I definitely feel inspired by her,” says Sanchez. “I know that I speak for many other girls when I say that.”

Even for young girls outside the Youth Council, Massaro continues to be a role model and mentor who represents the importance of getting involved. 

“She’s shown me that giving back to the community comes with great pride and satisfaction,” says Massaro’s sixteen year old niece Lindsey Massaro. Her niece previously helped out in Old Tappan at numerous church events and by organizing fundraisers; however, she notes that she has more so been influenced to always be kind and selfless like the “loving person [her aunt] truly is.”

Despite her trailblazing achievements, Massaro continues to teach young girls that getting involved matters and that gender is never a limitation. 

“I am the only female on the dais in town council. I am the only female in the football press box during games. I am the only female coach in the boys baseball dugout. Nobody cares about your gender,” she tells the younger generation. “If you have a passion and want to pursue something, go for it. Find the right mentor and supportive peers, and dive right in. Your knowledge and passion will show that you belong.”

This article was written for the Yale Daily News’ 2025 Summer Journalism Program for high school students.