Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association to Host 2nd Annual Legacy Brunch Celebrating Women’s Leadership
- Eliza Rosenthale
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
NEWARK, NJ — The Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association will host the 2nd annual Sheila Y. Oliver Legacy Brunch on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at the Valley Regency in Clifton, New Jersey. The event will commemorate the extraordinary life and legacy of the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver while paying tribute to trailblazing women across New Jersey.
Proceeds from the event 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.
The event’s keynote speaker will be award-winning Actress and Singer Tisha Campbell, a Newark, NJ 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,” said Tisha Campbell. “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 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 Oliver. The event date closely aligns with Lieutenant Governor Oliver’s birthday – July 14 – and the second anniversary since her passing – August 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,” said Governor Murphy. “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.”
“I am grateful to join family, friends, colleagues, and all those who loved and respected Lieutenant Governor Oliver at the second annual Sheila Y. Oliver Legacy Brunch,” said First Lady Tammy Murphy. “Today, we honor and celebrate the women who are continuing Sheila’s mission with strength, grace and unwavering purpose. Sheila was a trailblazer in every sense of the word, and her enduring impact of public service on communities across our state will be felt for generations to come.”
"We're excited to honor a diverse group of women who are breaking barriers, driving change in their communities, and embodying the values of Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver. Recognizing their contributions to society is one of the most meaningful ways that we can continue the work that my beloved aunt began." said Renee Oliver, President of the Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association and niece of the late Lieutenant Governor Sheila Y. Oliver. "I'm inspired to continue uplifting the next generation of women who are carrying forward my aunt’s legacy of compassionate leadership and community empowerment."
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.
Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association
The Sheila Y. Oliver Civic Association, is a private, non-profit, non-partisan, 501(c)(3) charitable organization, committed to empowering underserved communities to achieve both economic and social success, as well as educating and developing young women of color who are interested in government, public policy, and community organizing. Visit www.sheilaoliver.com for more information.