The first recipient of Elect Women NJ’s Sheila Y. Oliver Trailblazer Award will be Assemblywoman Shavonda Sumter (D-Paterson).
Elect Women NJ was formed three years ago to help fund the campaigns of diverse, pro-choice Democratic women running for public office.
“It is pertinent that we continue to celebrate the life of Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver, as she was a true leader who valiantly fought and strived to create a more equitable New Jersey,” said Sumter. “As a woman in public service, she left the door open for future trailblazers and was committed to uplifting the people.”
Oliver, the first Democratic woman to serve as Assembly Speaker and Lt. Governor, died on August 1.
“She demanded parity at every level of government and actively encouraged women to uplift one another,” said Gina Trish, Oliver’s former communications director and an Elect Women NJ board member. “She also believed in imparting her wisdom to the upcoming generation of leaders in our state.”
The keynote speaker at the dinner next month will be Rev. Dr. Regena Thomas, a former New Jersey Secretary of State.
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