Former Social Studies teacher Marge Roukema represented New Jersey for 22 years in the United States House of Representatives. Photo credit: Public Domain.

Many fine educators go on to successful careers in politics. One of these is Marge Roukema, a high school Social Studies teacher who served in the US House of Representatives for 22 years.

Marge was born Margaret Scafati on Sept. 19, 1929, in Newark, New Jersey. As a teenager, she graduated from West Orange High School in West Orange, New Jersey. In 1951, Marge earned her Bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science from Montclair State College in Montclair, New Jersey. She also completed graduate courses at Rutgers University in Newark.

Once she earned her degree, Marge taught Social Studies in Ridgewood Public Schools. She also served as a member of her local Board of Education from 1970 to 1973.

In 1980, Marge was elected on the Republican ticket to serve in the US House of Representatives. She represented first the 7th district (1981-1983), and then the 5th District (1983-2003). In total, her tenure as a Congresswoman covered 22 years. While in Congress, the former teacher devoted herself to helping the underprivileged gain access to affordable housing, and she also worked for welfare reform, education reform, job training, and the enforcement of child support. In addition, she was a strong champion of the Family and Medical Leave Act. Her support for this legislation was due, in part, by her experiences with her 17-year-old son, Todd, and his battle with leukemia. Sadly, Todd succumbed to the disease in October, 1976.

Marge passed away from complications related to Alzheimer’s disease on November 12, 2014, in Wyckoff, New Jersey. She was 85 years old.