Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association to host the 2nd annual brunch celebrating women’s leadership

The Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association will honor the extraordinary life and enduring legacy of the late lieutenant governor on July 26 at the group’s 2nd annual Sheila Y. Oliver Legacy Brunch, at the Valley Regency in Clifton. The event will also pay tribute to trailblazing women across New Jersey.

The Sheila Y. Oliver Legacy Brunch promises to be a day of celebration, fellowship, engagement, and inspiration. In addition to the keynote address, attendees can enjoy live entertainment, an exclusive VIP reception, and a memorial dedicated to the life and work of the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver.

Proceeds from the brunch will directly support the Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association’s mission to empower underserved communities and cultivate the next generation of female leaders in government, public policy, and community organizing.

Keynote speaker for the day is award-winning actress and singer Tisha Campbell, a Newark native known for movies and TV shows including Martin, Little Shop of Horrors, and My Wife and Kids.

The following women leaders will also be honored at the event for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields:

• Assemblywoman Shavonda E. Sumter (D-35) | New Jersey General Assembly
• Linda J. Schwimmer, JD | President and Chief Executive Officer, New Jersey Health Care Quality Institute
• Estina Baker | Democratic Strategist
• Tai Cooper | Chief Community Development Officer, NJEDA
• Dr. Barbara Gaba | President, Atlantic Cape Community College
• Dr. Pamela B. Jones | Chief Executive Officer, Communities In Cooperation, Inc.
• Sara Peña | Director of External Affairs, PSEG
• Dr. Cynthia Samuel | School Health Consultant, National Association of School Nurses
• Monica Slater Stokes | Managing Director, Corporate and Government Affairs, United Airlines

“Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver embodied what it means to serve with purpose,” Tisha Campbell said. “She didn’t just hold the door open, she made sure others walked through it as well. As a daughter of Newark, this moment is deeply personal and a full-circle reminder of the power of women who lead with both strength and heart.”

The event date closely aligns with Lieutenant Governor Oliver’s birthday – July 14 – and the second anniversary since her passing – Aug. 1, 2023.

“As the Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association hosts its second annual Legacy Brunch – to honor the remarkable women leading our state – I am once again reminded that Sheila’s legacy of courageous service continues to inspire all of us in New Jersey,” Gov. Phil Murphy said. “Sheila dedicated her entire life to fighting for our state’s forgotten families. And as we strive to honor her memory, I am incredibly grateful to all of her beloved family members, friends, and the emerging leaders she mentored for carrying that legacy forward. I want to congratulate all of the distinguished honorees being recognized today and thank them for doing their part to complete the mission that Sheila and I started: building a stronger, fairer, and more equitable future for every New Jerseyan.”

Tickets for the Sheila Y. Oliver Legacy Brunch are now on sale, and organizations and individuals can support this meaningful initiative through sponsorship and advertisement opportunities. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit sheilaoliver.com/legacybrunch.