Chapter Leader Spotlight - Maria Turner | Atlantic County, New Jersey
Atlantic County, New Jersey Chapter Leader
For more than a decade, Maria Turner has been creating a welcoming space for people who stutter in southern New Jersey. Through warmth, creativity, and genuine care for her members, Maria has built a chapter where people can share their stories, grow in confidence, and support one another.
Meet the Atlantic County, New Jersey Chapter
Maria has been leading the Atlantic County, New Jersey NSA Chapter for 10 years. The group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Stockton University Campus Center (Meeting Room 3). Meetings are hybrid, welcoming members both in person and on Zoom, and typically bring together 6–10 participants.
Each meeting begins with welcoming words, introductions, and an icebreaker to help everyone feel comfortable. From there, the conversation opens up for anyone who wants to talk about their experiences with stuttering.
The group also enjoys activities like holiday games and riddles, creating a relaxed and supportive environment where people can connect while having fun.
What inspired Maria to become a Chapter Leader?
Maria’s inspiration to start the chapter came from her own experiences with support and speech therapy.
For much of her teenage and adult life, she had access to strong support systems through the College of St. Rose in Albany, New York, where she participated in programs for people who stutter.
But when she got married and moved to New Jersey, she realized something important was missing.
“There wasn’t an NSA chapter or a support system near me,” Maria said. “And I really missed that.”
Rather than accept the absence of support, Maria decided to create the community she wished existed.
A memorable first meeting
Maria still remembers her very first chapter meeting clearly.
“What I remember most is that people actually came,” she said.
People who stutter attended, along with speech-language pathologists and others interested in learning more about stuttering. That moment confirmed that the need for connection and support was real.
The most rewarding part of leading a chapter
For Maria, the most meaningful part of being a Chapter Leader is giving people a safe place to talk openly.
“Giving members a safe place to talk about their stuttering journey and to learn more about it,” she shared.
One particularly powerful moment happened when a chapter member was going through a difficult personal experience. She shared it with the group, and something special happened.
Members both in person and on Zoom reached out to her with kindness and support.
“It unfolded so nicely,” Maria said. “I didn’t want it to end.”
Moments like these remind Maria why community matters so much.
Personal growth through leadership
Leading the chapter has also helped Maria grow in ways she never expected.
“I always considered myself a follower,” she explained. “Being a Chapter Leader has helped me come out of my comfort zone. I have more confidence now.”
Through leadership, Maria discovered that she could guide others with empathy, understanding, and strength.
Helping members find confidence
Maria has witnessed many meaningful moments of growth in her chapter.
She shared that some of the young women in her group have found the courage to apply for their first jobs and step out more confidently into the world.
Seeing members take those steps has been one of the most rewarding parts of her journey.
Connecting with the wider community
Maria’s chapter also maintains strong connections with the local academic community.
Graduate students in the Speech-Language Pathology program at Stockton University are required to attend at least one NSA meeting, either in person or on Zoom.
Maria has also spoken directly to students in fluency classes, sharing her personal experiences with stuttering and helping future speech-language pathologists better understand the lived experience of people who stutter.
What members say about the chapter
One member once told Maria something that stayed with her:
“For the first time, I have someone who understands what I’m going through.”
That kind of feedback reminds Maria just how powerful community can be.
What makes this chapter unique
Maria describes her chapter as a place where people can be themselves.
Meetings are filled with meaningful conversations, laughter, and traditions like holiday celebrations and riddles, which members look forward to each year.
The combination of support, learning, and fun helps make the chapter feel like a true community.
Welcoming new members
Maria works hard to make sure first-time attendees feel comfortable.
She always reminds newcomers that they don’t have to speak or participate if they’re not ready. Simply being there is enough.
She thanks them for coming and lets them know she hopes to see them again.
Advice for future Chapter Leaders
Maria has a simple but heartfelt message for anyone considering starting a chapter:
“Welcome! You are about to embark on a very meaningful and helpful journey. Be prepared to share your heart and your stuttering journey.”
Inspiration along the way
Maria’s biggest inspiration has been Sister Charleen Bloom from the College of St. Rose.
Sister Charleen led the Communication Disorders department and worked closely with teenagers and adults who stutter. Maria knew her for more than 45 years as a teacher, mentor, and friend.
“She believed in me from the very beginning,” Maria said.
Maria now hopes to carry forward that same spirit of encouragement and support for others who stutter.
Looking ahead
Maria hopes to grow the chapter in the coming year by welcoming more members and organizing additional social events.
She’s also interested in inviting chapter members to lead meetings and bring topics they care about to the group.
Life outside the NSA
When she’s not leading meetings, Maria enjoys creative hobbies like:
Basket weaving
Counted cross-stitch and needlepoint
Making silk flower arrangements
Solving puzzles
A fun fact many people don’t know: Maria married her high school sweetheart after being apart for eighteen years.
Three words to describe the Atlantic County Chapter
Supportive
Fun
Welcoming