Democrat,

When Governor Phil Murphy and I were elected, we committed ourselves to making our state government more diverse and representative of the people of New Jersey at all levels. We’ve lived up to that promise -- from appointing the most diverse cabinet in state history to supporting policies that seek to right historical injustices and investing in underserved communities. 

Now, we have taken a historic step toward meeting those noble goals with Governor Murphy’s nomination of Fabiana Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court, which would make her the first Black woman ever to serve on the state’s highest court. 

Across this country, there are 33 states which do not have a woman of color on their highest court. Sadly, New Jersey was one of them -- until now. I cannot wait to see New Jersey leave that list with Fabiana’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. 

As the first Black woman elected to serve in statewide office in New Jersey, I see every day how important that kind of representation is. When I speak to young African American boys and girls and tell them my story in public service, I see their faces light up when they realize that if I could do it, they can too. Fabiana’s nomination sends the same message, and I look forward to watching her ascend to the top judicial body in our state. 

Especially now at a time of so much public outrage against the systemic forces of racism that have gripped our nation for too long, people like Fabiana Pierre-Louis can give us all hope. The daughter of immigrants from Haiti, Fabiana grew up in Brooklyn and later settled in Irvington, where she spent most of her childhood. She worked hard, earning her way to Rutgers University and then graduating from Rutgers Law School-Camden with High Honors. Immediately following law school, Pierre-Louis served as a law clerk for the Honorable John E. Wallace, Jr. of the Supreme Court of New Jersey. She later served for nine years in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and the Attorney-in-Charge of the Camden Office, the first woman of color to hold that position in the history of the District, before moving to private legal practice. 

You can learn more about Fabiana’s inspiring story here in a segment profiling her on NBC’s Today Show. 

I want to thank Governor Murphy for always living his values and lifting up all the diverse voices in our state and providing opportunities for everyone to thrive. His leadership during the past several months has been nothing short of inspiring, and I can think of no better adjective to describe his choice for the NJ Supreme Court than that. We should all feel inspired, now more than ever, to fight for social justice and change. This nomination is a step along that path. 

Thank you, 

Lt. Governor Sheila Oliver