Murphy unveils Sheila Oliver portrait

Gov. Phil Murphy unveiled the portrait of the late Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver on Thursday in an emotional statehouse ceremony.

Oliver served as Murphy’s lieutenant governor for five years until her 2023 death due to a medical issue. The governor announced the commissioning of her portrait in the weeks after her death, and the final result was revealed beneath the dome of the statehouse Thursday morning.

“We’re deeply honored by this tribute to our beloved Sheila,” the Oliver Family said in a joint statement. “This portrait captures her grace and strength, reflecting her lifelong commitment to uplifting others and creating a more compassionate New Jersey. We’re grateful that her memory will continue to inspire future generations through this lasting recognition.”

Murphy, Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way, and Oliver’s niece, Renee Oliver, spoke in honor of her during the ceremony. Oliver was the first woman of color elected to statewide office in the Garden State and was the first Black woman to serve as speaker of the General Assembly. She served as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs during her time as lieutenant governor.

“I am honored to join Lieutenant Governor Way and the Oliver family in honoring Sheila’s tremendous life and legacy,” Murphy said. “Sheila’s passion and strong dedication to the people of New Jersey left a lasting mark on our state. Her legacy as a trailblazer and loyal public servant will now be immortalized in the halls of the State House forever, inspiring generations to come.”

The State Museum commissioned Kathy Krantz Fieramosca, an Ohio-born artist, for the portrait. The portrait depicts Oliver in a red sweater sitting before a blue-gray background.

Murphy unveiled the portrait of former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, the state’s first lieutenant governor, in a ceremony last month. 

“Lieutenant Governors hold a vital and often unsung role in New Jersey state government,” Guadagno said. “Lieutenant Governor Oliver made a lasting mark on our state through her incredible career of public service. Serving the people of our great state is a bond I will always cherish, and Sheila was a trusted, highly respected colleague whose historic tenure as Assembly Speaker overlapped with my time as Lieutenant Governor.”