Norma Iris Vargas, was born and raised in the barrio of Buen Consejo, Puerto Rico before relocating with her mother and siblings to South Side Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and later Far Rockaway, Queens. She has lived in Highland Park with her husband, Malcolm Greenberg, and their blended family of seven kids for the past 13 years. Her life has been shaped by resilience, overcoming periods of economic hardship, and cultural, language, and religious barriers. A self-taught administrative professional with over 30 years of experience, she has excelled in building community bridges and advocating for equity, representation, and underserved communities. 

Norma’s commitment to public service is evident through her leadership roles, most recently as Chair of the Human Relations Commission. She has also served on the Mayor’s Equity Advisory Council, Main Street Highland Park, as Co-Chair of the Middlesex Black Jewish Coalition, and Vice Chair and District 9 Committee member on the Highland Park Democratic Committee.  Aside from her volunteer leadership roles, she works as an administrative coordinator, manages her own business and on her time off can be found in her yard tending to her chickens, gardening, making soap, or playing with her dog Reese. However, her most important and proudest accomplishment has been raising her family with empathy, respect, and a passion for community service and advocacy. Her now adult kids are often involved in the donation drives or events she has coordinated. 

With her lived experiences and hands-on approach to leadership, Norma is dedicated to fostering Highland Park’s economic revitalization, cultural inclusion, affordability, and a thriving, safe, walkable downtown in Highland Park.  Her passion for education, empathy, and solutions drives her commitment to helping create a unified, thriving community.

Norma is proud to be the first Latina elected to the Highland Park Borough Council.