Trailblazer Archives - New Jersey Globe

St. Patrick’s Day: Alderman John W. Murphy

March 17, 2021 12:01 amMarch 17, 2021 2:03 pm

The son of an Irish immigrant won a local election in a Boston suburb 121 years ago that would eventually impact New Jersey’s political landscape today. After William J. Doherty decided not to seek re-election in 1910, Democrats held the...

Trailblazer: Edna Mahan

February 9, 2021 6:06 pm

A state women’s prison that has become the center of an emerging scandal bears the name of a nationally renowned penologist know for massive reforms at what was once known as the Clinton Farms State Reformatory for Women. Edna Mahan...

NJ-11 ’20 race just 5th time in N.J. history where two women ran for Congress

February 9, 2021 12:26 amFebruary 9, 2021 10:38 am

One takeaway from the race between Mikie Sherrill and Rosemary Becchi in New Jersey’s the 11th district in 2020: since women won the right to vote in 1920, this is just the 5th time both major parties have nominated a...

Trailblazer: Thelma Parkinson Sharp

February 9, 2021 12:16 amFebruary 9, 2021 10:58 am

Thelma Parkinson Sharp (1898-1983) was the first woman to run for statewide office in New Jersey and the first woman to serve in the governor’s cabinet. At age 32, she is also the youngest person to ever win a statewide...

Trailblazer: Marion West Higgins

February 9, 2021 12:14 amFebruary 7, 2021 9:10 pm

Marion West Higgins (1915-1991) was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey State Assembly. The Bergen County Republican was also the first woman to serve as Assembly Majority Leader, and the first woman to serve as...

Trailblazer: Loretta Weinberg

February 9, 2021 12:13 amFebruary 9, 2021 9:06 am

Now in her 12th year, Loretta Weinberg is the longest serving Majority Leader of either house in New Jersey history. Weinberg was also the second woman nominated by the New Jersey Democratic Party to run for statewide office, and the...

Trailblazer: Margaret Laird

February 9, 2021 12:11 amFebruary 7, 2021 8:24 pm

Margaret B. Laird (1871-1968) became one of the first two women to be elected to the New Jersey Legislature when she was elected to a State Assembly seat representing Essex County in 1920. Republicans nominated Laird and Jennie C. Van...