Elect Women NJ will honor Jersey City Council President Joyce Watterman, a mayoral candidate, with the 2025 Sheila Y. Oliver Trailblazer Award, named after the late lieutenant governor of New Jersey, at a gala in Union County next month.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“Council President Joyce Watterman has consistently demonstrated what it means to lead with purpose and passion,” Elect Women NJ Chair Tricia Maquire said in a statement.
“Her trailblazing path in public service inspires women across New Jersey to pursue leadership roles and continue reshaping the political landscape. We are honored to celebrate her at this year’s Gala.”
Elect Women NJ’s annual hala will be held on September 20th at 6 p.m. at Gran Centurions in Clark.
The evening will bring together leaders, advocates, and supporters to celebrate women making history in New Jersey and to continue building a strong pipeline of women in public office.
Watterman is the first African American woman to serve as Jersey City council president and is one of two black women running for mayor, the other being Police Officer Christina Freeman.
The crowded field for the non-partisan November 4th contest to succeed Mayor Steven Fulop also includes five other candidates.
Those include former Gov. Jim McGreevey, Hudson County Commissioner Bill O’Dea (D-2, Ward E Councilman James Solomon, ex-Board of Education President Mussab Ali, and Kalki Jayne-Rose.
