Firsts for Women in New Jersey | Center for American Women and Politics

2026: Mikie Sherrill (D) became the second woman and first Democratic woman

Read more about 2026: Mikie Sherrill (D) became the second woman and first Democratic woman

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2025: Nellie Pou (D) became the first Latina

Read more about 2025: Nellie Pou (D) became the first Latina

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2022: Teresa Ruiz became the first Latina Senate Majority Leader...

Read more about 2022: Teresa Ruiz became the first Latina Senate Majority Leader...

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2020: Fabiana Pierre-Louis was sworn in as an associate justice on Sept. 1, 2020...

Read more about 2020: Fabiana Pierre-Louis was sworn in as an associate justice on Sept. 1, 2020...

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2021: Sadaf Jaffer (D-16), Shama Haider (D-37), and Ellen Park (D-37) are elected to the New Jersey Assembly

Read more about 2021: Sadaf Jaffer (D-16), Shama Haider (D-37), and Ellen Park (D-37) are elected to the New Jersey Assembly

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2018: Sheila Oliver (D) became the first woman of color to serve as New Jersey's lieutenant governor

Read more about 2018: Sheila Oliver (D) became the first woman of color to serve as New Jersey's lieutenant governor

1982: Marie Garibaldi became the first woman to serve on the state Supreme Court

Read more about 1982: Marie Garibaldi became the first woman to serve on the state Supreme Court

1981: Jane Burgio became the first woman appointed as New Jersey's secretary of state.

Read more about 1981: Jane Burgio became the first woman appointed as New Jersey's secretary of state.

1996: Deborah Poritz became the first woman to serve as chief justice on the New Jersey State Supreme Court.

Read more about 1996: Deborah Poritz became the first woman to serve as chief justice on the New Jersey State Supreme Court.

1994: Deborah Poritz was sworn in as NJ's first female attorney general

Read more about 1994: Deborah Poritz was sworn in as NJ's first female attorney general

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