Elect Women NJ launched in 2020 to increase the numbers of women in local elected offices, celebrates the historic inauguration of the United States’ first woman, and person of color, to serve as vice president. Elect Women NJ co-hosted an event for Vice President Kamala Harris with the Electing Women’s Alliance that raised more than 5 million USD for the campaign.  Elect Women NJ will host an event on Feb 11, 2021 to honor all elected women who are the first but not the last.

The 2020 election resulted in a record number of women and increased diversity in the U.S. Congress. In New Jersey, however, the numbers for women in elected office continue to progress at a glacial place. “The lack of representation in local and national office in N.J. is deeply concerning.  We are working hard to increase the number and diversity of women in elected office and are happy to announce that 20% of our endorsed candidates represented historic wins,” said Kerri Kennedy, Founder and Chairwoman of Elect Women NJ.

S Nadia Hussain, Board of Education member for Bloomingdale and endorsed candidate, reported that “Elect Women NJ’s work to address this lack of representation, including providing the crucial support for my successful local race as a first-time candidate, is a critical part of building a stronger, fairer, and more representative future for all in our state.”

Linda Peng-Grooters, Founder and Treasurer of Elect Women NJ, announced that they invested more than $12,000 in endorsements to candidates and 75% of our candidates won their race. Tricia Maguire, Founder and Executive Director noted that “Elect Women NJ was very intentional in the endorsement process to highlight a diverse cohort of candidates. The first cohort is from 13 NJ counties and 60% of  the endorsed winners identify as Black, Asian, Hispanic, or LGBTQ.”

Elect Women NJ will host “First, But Not The Last: Elect Women NJ’s Inaugural Class Celebrates Historic Wins” on Thursday, February 11, 2021 at 6:30 PM.  The online event will feature the following speakers: Jeannine LaRue – LaRuelist Report & Senior Vice President Of Kaufman Zita Group, Shelly Bell – Committeewoman, Montgomery Township, S. Nadia Hussain – Board of Education, Bloomingdale, Gina LaPlaca – Mayor, Lumberton Township, Judy Ward – Mayor, Pleasantville, Tammy Williams – Councilwoman, West Orange. Elect Women NJ will also introduce our newest board members: Saily Avelenda, Executive Director for New Jersey State Committee: Cara Parmigiani, attorney, and Suchitra Kamath, an entrepreneur.

Following an unprecedented insurrection attempt at the Capitol and baseless challenges to the election results, the increases in women’s representation in Congress and diversity of appointees from the Biden-Harris administration inspires glimmers of hope for our future. We still have a long way to go towards gender parity. Join Elect Women NJ’s to celebrate historic wins and continue to work to see this change at home.