Democrat,

While President Biden's Cabinet nominees continue to receive overwhelming bipartisan support by the U.S. Senate, one thing has become clear — this will be the most diverse, representative Cabinet in our nation’s history. This did not happen by accident. From the beginning, President Biden made a commitment to the American people to build a team that "looks like America", and he is meeting this moment by choosing the very best talent our nation has to offer.

While President Biden's Cabinet is extraordinary when compared to previous presidential administrations, it looks very familiar to us here in New Jersey who have seen up close the way Governor Phil Murphy has lived up to that same commitment.

When he took office in 2018, Governor Murphy set out to build a team that looked like New Jersey. He appointed the most diverse cabinet in state history, including the first woman of color to serve in statewide office, Lieutenant Governor Sheila Oliver, and for the first time in New Jersey history, nominated a female-majority Cabinet. That willingness to empower women leaders -- especially women of color -- has continued throughout the Governor’s first term. Women have risen into even more influential positions within state government, from Dr. Zakiya Smith Ellis’ elevation to the Governor’s Chief Policy Advisor, to the nomination and confirmation of Fabiana Pierre-Louis as the first Black woman to sit on the State Supreme Court, to the state Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli, who has worked side by side with the Governor throughout the COVID-19 crisis. 

Both Governor Murphy and President Biden recognize that representation matters.  It isn’t important to just advocate on behalf of women and people of color -- it is important to have these voices at the table, helping craft policy and make decisions.  

Especially for young women, it is so important for them to see people who look like they do rise to the highest levels, whether in government or the private sector. That is powerful, and as we reflect on Black History Month and enter Women’s History Month in March, it’s something that we should all continue to celebrate. 

Saily Avelenda 
NJDSC Executive Director