Sheila Y. Oliver is an American Democratic Party politician, who has served in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2004, where she represents the 34th legislative district. She previously served as the Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, from January 12, 2010-January 14, 2014. She is the second woman to serve as Speaker in New Jersey history, the first being Marion West Higgins, who served in 1965, and the second African-American to hold this post, the first being S. Howard Woodson, who first held the post in 1974. On June 10, 2013, she formally announced that she would run in the special election for the senate seat held by Frank Lautenberg. Oliver serves in the Assembly on the Human Services Committee, the Higher Education Committee and the Labor Committee. She served on the East Orange Board of Education from 1994-2000, as its President from 1999-2000 and as Vice President from 1998-1999. She served on the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1996-1999. In 1997, she became the first woman to launch a competitive campaign for Mayor in the City of East Orange, losing the election by a mere 51 votes. 

July 14th, 1952 in Newark  /  Died:   Aug 1st, 2023