League Mourns Passing of Lt. Gov. Oliver

Oliver Was First Black Woman Speaker of the General Assembly and Executive Leader of New Jersey 

New Jersey’s Lieutenant Governor, Sheila Y. Oliver, died today. The first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly and in State Executive Leadership, she is remembered by many for her work in Trenton and around the state.

Her family released a statement earlier today. 

League President Mayor Ray Heck of Millstone Borough noted, “The Lieutenant Governor was a friend to communities large and small around the State. She helped expand the reach of the Neighborhood Preservation and Mainstreet New Jersey Programs; and in the pandemic and beyond, she helped communities through the Department of Community Affairs–aid that will be felt for years to come. Lt. Gov. Oliver was committed to making New Jersey better, stronger, and more inclusive. We appreciate her lifetime of civic work. She will be missed.”

NJLM Executive Director Michael Cerra said, “Sheila Oliver was a trusted and valued partner to the League, harkening back from her days as the State’s first Black Woman Assembly Speaker and through her critical recent work as the State’s first Black Woman Executive Leader. She never stopped trying to be the type of public servant who spoke up for those she represented. We appreciate her efforts on lead paint removal, affordable housing, the distribution of American Rescue Plan Funds, and a wide variety of issues through her work leading the Department of Community Affairs and in the Lt. Governor’s office, serving her State very well and with lasting impacts.”