By Ginny Raue
CarlLa Horton. One of the first things you may notice is the unusual spelling of her first name.
“My mother named me after my father, Carl, and she added the La. I got two jobs that way. They thought I was a guy – Carl LaHorton,” she said.
Horton, 62, is a West Milford councilwoman, she serves on her church council and on the Pinecliff Lake Club committee and she’s been the executive director of Hope’s Door, an independent, non-profit domestic abuse agency in Westchester, N.Y., since 1997. Horton is an activist who has dedicated her life to seeing women achieve social, political and economic equality.
Born and raised in Chicago, Horton’s childhood was marred by domestic violence and poverty. Her neighborhood erupted in hostility during her youth and she recalls armed National Guardsmen patrolling the streets. Her mother moved her children to a better school district – a decision that changed Horton’s life.
When the dean of her high school inquired about her college plans, she was astonished. Her father had been a drop-out, her mother had run away from home after eighth grade. No one in her family had graduated from high school.
But Dean Crouse not only planted the seed, he also helped her to obtain scholarships and grants. Horton was on her way to a brighter future.
Last April Horton traveled to New Mexico for Crouse’s memorial service.
“He’s the man I credit with turning my life around. He was a man who put his heart and soul into a job. Now it’s about paying it forward,” she said.
Horton attended Northern Illinois University doing her undergraduate work in speech and theater. Later, in 1994, she received a graduate degree from Bernard Baruch College where she graduated first in her masters of public administration class.
She planned on becoming a teacher in Chicago’s inner city, but jobs were scarce and she relocated to California where she pursued her state credentials. When she became involved with activist groups and met like-minded people, her plans changed. Working for the Equal Rights Amendment cause brought her to the east coast, setting up a fund raising pilot program.
“California wasn’t enough of an activist environment for me,” she said.
She’s a firm believer in being open to different directions and always being totally committed to what you do. When she was looking for a job as an executive director, she scanned the New York Times and found her niche with Hope’s Door.
“I think God pointed me in this direction. For many years I was focused on other issues, but when this job came along, I was ready,” Horton said. She felt she could make a difference and her abusive childhood was well behind her.
“We work with horrific situations yet we help thousands of men, women and children. Our door is open to all. We help them make the journey from victim to survivor.”
Funded by private donations and by federal, state and county grants, Hope’s Door helps survivors assess their level of danger and teaches protective strategies. They provide emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy and much more.
“I have a chance to do for other families what was not done for mine,” she said.
Horton encourages anyone with a need to take action. A call to Hope’s Door (888-438-8700) from a resident of West Milford will enable Hope’s Door staff to provide information regarding the available resources in New Jersey.
A Pinecliff Lake resident since 1991, Horton has served on the town council since January 2012. Although “getting the job, running the campaign, is tough” she is happy to be a member.
“I think we are conducting business in a respectful manner and I do believe we trust each other to give every issue serious consideration,” she said.
She serves as a liaison to the Senior Advisory Committee, the Lakes Committee, CASA and the MUA and feels her time and efforts are well spent. She believes all public officials are faced with the challenge of overcoming cynicism and she hopes to gain the faith of the residents.
To Horton, West Milford’s environment is extraordinary.
“Who knew such a beautiful place existed. The backdrop, all the volunteers, the caring people who work hard to make the town so great,” she said.
Speaking of the new library, she called it her generation’s gift to the next.
“Somebody before us paved the roads, built the schools and town hall. My responsibility is to maintain what was given to us and do something for the next generation.”
In her free time Horton likes to read – an amazing five books a week. She enjoys dancing and dining out. A lot. Although she feels that’s a bit indulgent, time is scarce for cooking.
She loves to entertain, though, and sent in a crowd pleaser.
CarlLa’s Pork Loin with Apricot and Curry Stuffing
2 tbsps. curry powder
2 tsps. salt
1 tsp. black pepper
3 tbsps. unsalted butter
2 large onions, chopped
12 oz. dried apricots, chopped
1 cup water
2 (4 pound) boneless pork loins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees
Put 1 tbsp. curry powder, salt and pepper in bowl
Heat butter in skillet and cook onions until softened
Add apricots and 1 tbsp. curry, cook one minute
Add water and simmer about five minutes
Remove from heat and cool
Slit open each pork loin and stuff with apricot mixture
Pat meat dry and rub with curry powder, salt, pepper mixture
Roast for 75-90 minutes (155 degrees on instant read thermometer)
Transfer to carving board and let stand, tented with foil, for 15 minutes
Slice and serve
Serves 12-16