Patricia A. Fields was born in Plainfield. She attended local schools in the district and graduated from Plainfield High School in 1964 – a teen parent. Pat later joined Community Action Plainfield (CAP) to enhance her administrative skills. Through a unique program at Rutgers University she was accepted with a full scholarship, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in French while learning enough Spanish to become the official Spanish interpreter at PSE&G.
Pat joined the AT&T workforce in 1978 and became a part of the AT&T Pioneers of America – a Volunteer Network. Volunteerism soon became a part of her DNA. Through the Pioneers, she developed the ability to motivate organizations to partner in efforts to help others. For example, she spearheaded Faith, Hope & Charity, a Hurricane Katrina Relief Project with Walmart, the City of Plainfield, Shiloh Baptist Church, a trucking company, and others who sent an enormous trailer filled with supplies to New Orleans for flood victims. She also joined for a week in New Orleans to help restore one of its parks.
Pat represented AT&T as one of the seven founding partner organizations of School Based Youth Services: Plainfield Teen Parenting Program, Inc., a drop-out prevention program for teen parents. The goal was, and remains, to break the cycle of repeat pregnancies and child abuse and to ensure the parents could stay in school, graduate, and move on to higher education or vocation. At its inception, Pat accepted the role of Board President. For ten years, Pat implemented “A Festival for Kids,” a four-day fundraising event that prompted President George W. Bush to visit NJ and recognize her work with the teen program with the prestigious USA Freedom Corps Volunteer Award.
As the current president of the New Vision Pioneers – Murray Hill Club, she is joined by a team of dedicated volunteers who provide continued support for the teen parent program, assisting programs that serve people and communities with food insecurities, providing essential resources such as backpacks, school supplies, new books, quilts, and disaster relief supplies locally in NJ and PA.
Pat was recruited as the National Program Chair for the Alliance of Black Telecommunications Employees, Inc., an Employee Resource Group (ERG) that partnered with and held accountable AT&T Senior Officers to ensure the equitable distribution of opportunities, resources, development, and jobs for the people of color they employed. Before retiring from Lucent (formerly AT&T), Pat administered both companies’ 40 million dollar Family Care Development Funds that increased the supply and improved the quality of community-based child, school-age, and adult care programs in the communities where their employee lived and worked. She and her colleagues distributed nearly $400 million dollars.
For more than 20 years after retirement, she has fundraised to produce more than 50 events and concerts open to the public in Plainfield. Grammy-nominated and winning R&B, Jazz & Latin artists welcomed an invitation to perform, and the Plainfield Idol Competition was a new, exciting program directed to youth. Winners were allowed on the Amateur Hour Stage at New York’s Apollo. Pat also volunteered with Armed Forces Entertainment and arranged R&B Music Tours.
In 2020, Pat was diagnosed with what the doctors have called an incurable illness. HOWEVER, The Lord continues allowing her to serve with passion, purpose, elegance, and her signature smile. She is the Board VP for Community Coordinated Child Care, a Resource and Referral Agency for Childcare Providers, and a member of The Chrysalis Project that supports high school girls through mentorship, scholarships and preparation to thrive in college. At Shiloh Baptist Church, Pat is a Trustee, Ministry Leader for the First Impressions, and coordinator of Shiloh’s annual Black History Month—Black Business Owners Expo in partnership with the City of Plainfield and the Urban League of Union County. Pat’s Pastor says, “We are all here to solve a problem that exists on the earth.” With her enduring spirit, gracious and giving personality, Pat is a problem solver and leader who Glorifies God and is grateful to be of service. She has learned to love and enjoy the Peace and Comfort the Holy Spirit instills. Even in non-ideal situations, Pat is so happy just to wake up and be able to thank God for His covering over her, her family & friends! She truly believes that to Whom Much is Given, Much is required and counts her daily blessings with JOY.
Pat is married to Larry “Ice” Winfree; mother to Tracey, Lisa (Keith), & Carla (Lamar); grandmother to Christian (Stephanie), Taylor (Dee’Andre) & Kennedy; great grandmother to Aliana and Capri, and sister to Susan, and aunt to Jordan (Lena).