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THIS A DIVERSE WOMEN'S POLITICAL ORGANIZATION
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The Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey is dedicated to increasing women's participation in the political process, increasing the number of progressive women in elected and appointed office, protecting reproductive freedom, and creating a women's political power base to achieve equality for ALL women.
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WPCNJ Annual
Meeting
Tuesday, May 21st | 6:00PM-8:30PM
Eagleton Institute of Politics, RutgersUniversity
191 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick
Featuring Special Guest Speaker
Assembly
Budget Chair
Eliana
Pintor Marin
WPCNJ members are free
with current membership
Non-members $20
Please note: Only
members in good standing can
vote at the Annual Meeting
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WPCNJ PAC
2019 Women of Achievement Reception
Award Honoree
Kate
Gibbs
Deputy Director, ELEC
825
Labor-Management Fund of
Operating Engineers Local 825
Carol Murphy Award
126
West State Street, Trenton, NJ
Award Recipients
Karin Elkis
Senior Vice
President, Optimus Partners LLC
Barbara Boggs
Sigmund Award
Kate Gibbs
Deputy Director,
ELEC 825
Labor-Management
Fund of Operating Engineers Local 825
Carol Murphy Award
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Kate Gibbs
At the
cross sections of economic develop, business and organized labor you will find
Kate Gibbs. The Deputy Director for the Engineers Labor-Employer Cooperative,
ELEC 825, a collaborative trust focused on creating work opportunities for the
members and signatory contractors of Local 825 Operating Engineers, Gibbs leads
Business Development for the organization by promoting economic development and
advocating for investments in all types of infrastructure.
She has
established a strong record of shaping policy, building coalitions and
implementing successful strategies and tactics that include political advocacy,
government relations, communications and social media in pursuit of
organizational goals. With her background in politics, public affairs and
organizational management, Gibbs is uniquely suited to help ELEC 825 achieve
its core objectives of growing the economy to create jobs for Local 825 members
and its union contractors.
In
November of 2015, Gibbs was elected to the Burlington County Board of
Freeholders; becoming the youngest woman in NJ to be elected to countywide
office. During her first two years in office, Gibbs served as Deputy Director
before being elected in January of 2018, in a unanimous and bi-partisan vote of
her peers to serve as Freeholder Director.
In this
role she crafted and passed a tax-cutting budget while investing in a first of
its kind $20 million school security grant program, creating a women's
mentoring program, and ensuring that all County facilities, schools and
libraries are equipped with dedicated, private space for mothers to nurse or
pump.
Prior to
joining the Freeholder Board, Gibbs served on the Board of Trustees for Rowan College at Burlington
County, where she worked closely with the County's new Workforce
Development Institute and played an active role in establishing the College's
partnership with Rowan University.
Gibbs
actively participates on boards and committees for various Chambers of Commerce
and business and industry organizations throughout the entire State of New Jersey. Gibbs earned her Master's in Business
Administration with a concentration in Finance from Drexel University's LeBow College of Business, graduating Summa Cum Laude
and a B.A. from The American University, with a Double Major in Public
Communications and Political Science.
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Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey
honors
Madeline
Ferraro, Esq.
Vice President of Government Relations & Public Affairs,
Atlantic Health System
Mary
Philbrook Award
Ms. Ferraro has
been Vice President of Government Relations and Public Affairs at Atlantic
Health System since 2002.
In this senior
leadership position, Ms. Ferraro helps devise and direct the system's strategic
policy decisions and enhance the system's position with state and federal
leaders. Ms. Ferraro is responsible for all legislative and regulatory matters
and she meets regularly with federal and state legislators, local elected
officials, the Governor and his staff, and the Commissioners and staff of
various state departments.
Ms. Ferraro was the
architect for Atlantic Health System's corporate strategic giving program and
heads the committee that directs and distributes over one million dollars
annually of Atlantic Health System funds to charities with aligned missions.
In 2017, Ms.
Ferraro was named to NJ Governor-Elect Phil Murphy's transition team, as a
member of the transition's healthcare committee. She also served as
Appointments Counsel to Governor Christine Todd Whitman and as a Deputy
Attorney General for the State of New Jersey.
Ms. Ferraro is very
active in her civic community. She sits on the boards of the New Jersey State
Chamber of Commerce, the National Public Affairs Council (the preeminent
association for public affairs professionals worldwide), Georgian Court University, Brookdale Community College, the New Jersey Hospital Association HealthPAC Board of
Directors, Policy Development Committee and Government Relations Committee, and
the Fair Share Hospitals Collaborative Government Affairs and Strategic Planning
Committee. Ms. Ferraro also acts as a mentor to young and seasoned
professionals in varied fields.
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Scholarship
Opportunities
Are You Ready To
Run?
The Education and
Training Fund of the Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey is sponsoring a
limited number of scholarships for our members who wish to attend the world
class Center for American Women and Politics 2019 Ready to Run®conference
being held March 15-16. The conference provides training for potential
candidates and campaign staff, as well as valuable information for those who
want to know more about getting more women elected to office. Whether you
are ready to run, thinking of running, or wondering how you can help get more
women elected, Ready to Run® is for YOU!
* Open to WPCNJ members in good standing as of scholarship
application date.
(Please note
"WPCNJ" in the "How did you hear?" part of the registration
form)
* Scholarship
recipients are responsible for $25 of the registration fee. Please make
payment directly to CAWP to secure your reservation and
scholarship.
Scholarships are limited and will be awarded to eligible applicants on a first
come, first served basis.
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Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey
honors
Senator Troy
Singleton
Legislative District 7
Good Guy Award
Senator Troy Singleton was first elected to the New Jersey State
Senate in November of 2017. He is a graduate of Rowan University with a Bachelor Degree in Business
Administration specializing in Finance.
In 2011, he was elected to his first term in the New Jersey
General Assembly, representing the 7th Legislative District. His primary focus
remains on job creation, economic development and the needs of New Jersey's working families. Senator Singleton
has received numerous awards for his public service and legislative acumen from
business, education civic, labor and non-profit organizations.
Along with this busy career, Senator is a husband and father of
three who has long included personal involvement in his community as an
essential component of his life. He is a past trustee of Rowan University, a board member with the Boys &
Girls Club of Camden County, New Jersey Council for the Humanities, member of
the VFW Post #3020 Men's Auxiliary, the Garden State Arts Foundation, and a
former Commissioner on the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. He currently serves
as a Commissioner on the Burlington County Bridge Commission, as Co-Chair of
New Leaders Council New Jersey, a board member of Habitat for Humanity of Burlington
County & Greater Trenton-Princeton, a member of Phi Beta Sigma
Fraternity Inc and Prince Hall Mason Shekinah Lodge #32.
Senator Singleton is a member of the Northeast Regional Council of
Carpenters (Local #255) and serves as Director of Operations for the Council.
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Women's Political
Caucus of New Jersey
honors
Murray E. Bevan, Esq.
Founding Shareholder, Bevan, Mosca
& Giuditta, P.C.
Good Guy Award
Murray has a long history of
supporting and cultivating diversity in the legal profession. More than a
decade ago, Murray, along with his
partners Bill Mosca and Rich Giuditta, founded the law firm Bevan, Mosca &
Giuditta. Women have been an important part of the firm's success right
from the start.
Over the last ten years, Murray has actively
recruited, hired, empowered, promoted and retained female lawyers within his
firm. He has supported family leaves, medical leaves and flexible work
schedules for employees when requested and when necessary, ensuring
that that all his employees can balance work and family while serving
in leadership roles at BMG and beyond. One of the exceptional efforts that Murray has made within BMG
is to establish integrated and enhanced technological offerings that enable
employees to work seamlessly in or out of the office. This has allowed the firm
to increase workplace flexibility without compromising productivity.
Murray recognizes that
helping employees to navigate their personal and professional
responsibilities is a sound business practice,
providing alternatives that enable professionals to put forth their best work.
It has proven to be a win-win strategy for the firm and the women who work there:
a flexible work environment and infrastructure enables women at BMG to create
and grow a strong, sustainable legal practice that contributes positively to
the economic success of the law firm. Flexible work arrangement policies at BMG
benefit the firm and all its employees -- without sacrificing merit-based
compensation or professional growth opportunities for women at the firm. Murray has an authentic
conviction that women can achieve the same success as their male colleagues,
and he puts actions behind his personal convictions.
Murray has also devoted a
great deal of time and attention to help form and build the Hope Autism
Foundation. Hope Autism is a non-profit organization dedicated to identifying
and sponsoring community resources for adults with autism, and its goal is to
help adults with autism to live productive, meaningful lives so they can become
part of their local communities. Murray believes that
everyone should be able to live with dignity, and his work with Hope Autism is
just one more example of his sense of fairness. Murray also supports his
colleagues working pro-bono on women's anti-violence initiatives with a local
organization (Partners for Women and Justice).
In addition to his advocacy efforts for state
and national trade associations, he also serves as counsel providing these
groups with legal advice and assistance on non-profit law, matters of
governance, board members roles and responsibilities, annual convention and
trade show negotiations and contract review.
Murray has served in a
variety of positions both in and out of government prior to entering the
private practice of law. He was the Vice President of Government Relations and
Regulatory Affairs for the New Jersey Hospital Association and served a six
year term with the New Jersey BPU. During that time, he was Chief of Staff to
Board President, Christine Todd Whitman, a former Governor of New Jersey and only female to
date. Mr. Bevan also worked for the Counsel's Office of former Governor Tom
Kean.
Unquestionably, Murray is a "good
guy." He is thoroughly deserving of this distinguished Good Guy award.
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Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey
Endorses Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno for Governor
For Immediate Release
Contact: Shari Weiner, (201)
602-8830
Trenton, NJ - The
Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey (WPCNJ) is pleased to announce its
endorsement of Lieutenant Governor Kim Guadagno for Governor.
Shari Weiner, Chair of the Political Resources Committee stated, "The Lt.
Governor has been a long-time supporter of the Caucus and is aligned with the
core mission of the organization: to increase the number of women in elected and
appointed positions in government, protect reproductive freedom, and promote
equal rights for women."
"The WPCNJ PAC is proud to show our support of the Lt.
Governor by making the maximum contribution permitted as part of nearly $40,000
in contributions for our endorsed female candidates in the 2017 election."
Weiner added.
Lt. Governor Guadagno began her public service career as a federal prosecutor
with the Organized Crime & Racketeering Strike Force in Brooklyn, New York.
Following a move to Monmouth County, New
Jersey, she became an Assistant U.S.
Attorney in Newark.
Like many women in elected office, Lt. Governor Guadagno first decided to run
for public office to solve real problems facing her community and make it a
better place to live, work, and raise a family. In 2005, she was elected as a
Borough Commissioner in Monmouth Beach. Lt.
Governor Guadagno became the first woman elected Sheriff in Monmouth County history
in 2007, leading a 650-member, $65 million law enforcement agency. In
2010 she was sworn in as New Jersey's first
Lt. Governor and was re-elected in 2013. Simultaneously serving as
Secretary of State, Lt. Governor Guadagno serves as New
Jersey's chief election official, oversees
promotion of the state's $40 billion tourism industry, and administers programs
related to the arts, culture, and history.
Jeralyn Lawrence, Member of the WPCNJ Republican Task Force, added, "Lt.
Governor Guadagno is a highly qualified, well-respected candidate with a
distinguished career as an advocate for New Jersey women and their families.
With just a single female governor in the state's history, we are excited to
announce our support for her gubernatorial campaign."
The WPCNJ PAC will hold an event to celebrate its endorsed
female candidates on Thursday, October 5th from 8:30-10:30 am at the NJ Realtors' offices at 10
Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, NJ, with
more details to follow.
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Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey
Endorses Forty-Six Female Legislative Candidates;
PAC Announces Nearly
$40k in Contributions
For Immediate Release
Contact: Shari
Weiner, (201) 602-8830
Trenton, NJ - The Women's Political Caucus of
New Jersey (WPCNJ) is proud to announce its endorsement of forty-six female
legislative candidates for the General Election in November. The WPCNJ PAC is
set to distribute nearly $40,000 in contributions to support a key group of its
endorsed candidates at an event in Trenton on October 5.
"These forty-six endorsements reflect a strong showing of female
candidates whose platforms are consistent with our mission of protecting
reproductive freedom and promoting equal rights, regardless of party
affiliation," said WPCNJ Political Resources Director Shari Weiner.
The WPCNJ PAC is
prepared to make significant contributions to candidates in the 2017 election
cycle. WPCNJ PAC Chair Jennifer Mancuso added, "We are thrilled to contribute
nearly $40,000 to support a diverse group of talented women who are ready,
willing, and able to represent all New Jersey citizens with their unique
perspectives."
The WPCNJ PAC
will hold an event to celebrate its endorsed candidates on Thursday, October 5th
from 8:30-10:30am at the NJ Realtors' offices at 10 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton,
NJ.
According to The
Center of American Women and Politics (CAWP), women hold a mere 36 of the 120
(30%) New Jersey legislative seats, down from last year's record of 37 women
legislators (30.8%). "Women make up more than 50% of voters, however, their
elected representation pales in comparison," said Weiner. "It is incumbent upon
organizations such as ours to endorse and support these women candidates and
break that glass ceiling."
2017 Legislative
Candidates Receiving Endorsement*signifies incumbent
Gabriela Mosquera (D)* District 4, Assembly
Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D)* District 5, Senate
Patricia Egan Jones (D)* District 5, Assembly
Pamela R. Lampitt (D)* District 6, Assembly
Carol Murphy (D) District 7, Assembly
Joanne Schwartz (D) District 8, Assembly
Maryann Merlino (D) District 8, Assembly
Jill Dobrowansky (D) District 9, Assembly
Emma Mammano (D) District 10, Senate
Joann Downey (D)* District 11, Assembly
Mariel Didato (D) District 13, Assembly
Linda Greenstein (D)* District 14, Senate
Shirley Turner (D)* District 15, Senate
Elizabeth Muoio (D)* District 15, Assembly
Laurie Poppe (D) District 16, Senate
Nancy Pinkin (D)* District 18, Assembly
Yvonne Lopez (D) District 19, Assembly
Annette Quijano (D)* District 20, Assembly
Jill Lazare (D) District 21, Senate
Lacey Rzeszowski (D) District 21, Assembly
Nancy Munoz (R)* District 21, Assembly
Christine Lui Chen (D) District 23 Senate
Laura Shaw (D) District 23, Assembly
Kate Matteson (D) District 24, Assembly
Gina Trish (D) District 24, Assembly
Lisa Bhimani (D) District 25, Senate
Mila M. Jasey (D)* District 27, Assembly
Cleopatra Tucker (D)* District 28, Assembly
M. Teresa Ruiz (D)* District 29, Senate
Eliana Pintor Marin (D)* District 29, Assembly
Shanique Speight (D) District 29, Assembly
Sandra Cunningham (D)* District 31, Senate
Angela McKnight (D)* District 31, Assembly
Angelica Jimenez (D)* District 32, Assembly
Annette Chaparro (D)* District 33, Assembly
Nia Gill (D)* District 34, Senate
Sheila Oliver (D)* District 34, Assembly
Nellie Pou (D)* District 35, Senate
Shavonda Sumter* (D) District 35, Assembly
Marlene Caride* (D) District 35, Assembly
Loretta Weinberg (D)* District 3, Senate
Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D)* District 37, Assembly
Linda Schwager (D) District 39, Senate
Jannie Chung (D) District 39, Assembly
Holly Schepisi (R)* District 39, Assembly
Christine Ordway (D) District 40, Assembly
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Press
Release
Prominent
Statewide Women's Groups Call on Unapologetic Space to Resign After Caught
Calling Opponent a "Bitch" Three Times in Thirty-Three Seconds
For Immediate Release
September 25, 2017
Today, prominent statewide women's
groups including the Women's Political Caucus of New Jersey, LUPE
PAC, PAM'S List, the Women's Caucus of the New Jersey State Democratic
Committee, and the New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women denounce remarks
made by Asm. Parker Space and demand his resignation. His recent derogatory
comments against his Democratic opponent Kate Matteson are unacceptable and
will not be tolerated.
Space, rather than apologize for
calling his opponent a "bitch" three times in thirty-three seconds,
has offered up a rather pathetic justification--that everyone uses the term.
This so-called defense wouldn't pass muster in a school setting, let alone from
a sitting assembly person. His comments and ridiculous excuses embolden misogyny
at a time when we need those in power to denounce it with the full weight of
their office. Space has shown absolutely no remorse for his actions, and so we
call on him to resign immediately.
For more information contact:
Women's Political Caucus of New
Jersey President Chrissy Buteas, (908) 202-8386 or email info@wpcnj.org
WPCNJ, founded in 1972, is a chapter
of the National Women's Political Caucus and is the authoritative voice for
women in New Jersey politics. WPCNJ is a multi-partisan organization dedicated
to increasing the number of women in elected and appointed positions in
government, protecting reproductive freedom, and promoting equal rights for
women.
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