Sheila Oliver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sheila Oliver
|
|
|---|---|
Oliver in 2020
|
|
| 2nd Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey | |
| In office January 16, 2018 – August 1, 2023 |
|
| Governor | Phil Murphy |
| Preceded by | Kim Guadagno |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs | |
| In office January 16, 2018 – August 1, 2023 |
|
| Governor | Phil Murphy |
| Preceded by | Charles Richman |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| 169th Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly | |
| In office January 12, 2010 – January 14, 2014 |
|
| Preceded by | Joseph J. Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Vincent Prieto |
| Member of the New Jersey General Assembly from the 34th district |
|
| In office January 13, 2004 – January 9, 2018 |
|
| Preceded by | Willis Edwards |
| Succeeded by | Britnee Timberlake |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 14, 1952 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | August 1, 2023 (aged 71) Livingston, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Lincoln University (BA) Columbia University (MSW) |
Sheila Y. Oliver (born July 14, 1952 – died August 1, 2023) was an important American politician. She served as the second Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey from 2018 until her death. She was a member of the Democratic Party. Sheila Oliver made history as the first Black woman to be Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey. She was also the first woman of color elected to a statewide office in New Jersey.
Before becoming Lieutenant Governor, Oliver was a leader in the New Jersey General Assembly. She represented the 34th legislative district from 2004 to 2018. From 2010 to 2014, she was the Speaker of the Assembly. This made her the first Black woman to hold that powerful position in New Jersey. She was only the second Black woman in U.S. history to lead a state legislative body.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sheila Y. Oliver was born and grew up in Newark, New Jersey. She graduated from Weequahic High School in 1970. Oliver earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in sociology from Lincoln University in 1974. She also received a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Columbia University in 1976. In 2018, Lincoln University gave her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
Early Career and Public Service
Oliver worked in both government and private organizations. She was the executive director of The Leaguers, Inc., a non-profit group in northern New Jersey that helps people. She also taught at colleges like Essex County College and Caldwell University.
From 1994 to 2000, Oliver served on the Board of Education for the East Orange School District. She was the board's vice president from 1998 to 1999 and then its president from 1999 to 2000. She also served on the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1996 to 1999.
New Jersey State Assembly (2004–2018)
In 2003, Sheila Oliver was chosen to run for the General Assembly from the 34th district. She won the Democratic primary election and was elected to the Assembly. She was re-elected six times, serving two-year terms after her first victory in 2003.
Serving as Speaker of the Assembly (2010–2014)
On November 23, 2009, Oliver was chosen by other Assembly Democrats to become the 169th Speaker of the Assembly. This was a very important moment. She became the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly. She was also the second woman in New Jersey history to hold this position. Nationally, she was the second African American woman to lead a state legislature.
.jpg)
As Speaker, Oliver supported Governor Chris Christie's changes to public workers' pensions and benefits. She was re-elected as Speaker in 2011. During her time in the Assembly, Oliver served on several important committees. These included the Commerce and Economic Development Committee and the Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee. In November 2013, Assembly Democrats chose Vincent Prieto to take over as Speaker. Oliver was then named Speaker emeritus of the Assembly.
Running for U.S. Senate in 2013
On June 10, 2013, Sheila Oliver announced she would run for a U.S. Senate seat. This was for a special election after Senator Frank Lautenberg passed away. She supported changes to immigration laws and more federal money for industrial areas. In the Democratic primary election on August 13, Cory Booker won. Oliver finished fourth among the four candidates.
Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey (2018–2023)
The 2017 Election
In July 2017, Phil Murphy, who was running for governor, announced that Sheila Oliver would be his running mate. Murphy and Oliver won the election against the Republican candidates. Governor Murphy also appointed Oliver to be the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. This is a cabinet position.
New Jersey law allows a person to run for two elected jobs at the same time. Sheila Oliver won re-election to her Assembly seat in 2017, while also running for Lieutenant Governor. She had said she would resign from her Assembly seat if she and Murphy won. Oliver resigned from the Assembly on January 9, 2018.
Her Time in Office and Re-election
Oliver was sworn in as Lieutenant Governor on January 16, 2018. She was the second person to hold this job in New Jersey's history. She was also the first Black woman to serve as Lieutenant Governor of New Jersey. She was the first woman of color elected to a statewide office in New Jersey.
As Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, Oliver focused on housing programs and helping local governments. She also supported projects to improve communities. When Governor Murphy was out of state, Oliver served as acting governor. During these times, she signed laws about aid for caregivers, financial literacy education, and wage protections.
On November 2, 2021, Governor Murphy and Oliver were re-elected. They won against the Republican candidates Jack Ciattarelli and Diane Allen. Before her death, many people thought Oliver might run for governor in the future.
Death
On July 28, 2023, Oliver became acting governor while Phil Murphy was on vacation. However, on July 31, she had a medical emergency and was taken to Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston. Nicholas Scutari, the New Jersey Senate president, took over as acting governor. Sheila Oliver passed away the next day, August 1, 2023, at 71 years old.
After her death, many politicians from both parties shared their sadness. Representative Frank Pallone called her a "trailblazer" who "always fought for what was right."
See also
In Spanish: Sheila Oliver para niños
- List of female lieutenant governors in the United States
- List of female speakers of legislatures in the United States
- List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
