In a ceremony beneath the New Jersey Statehouse dome on Thursday, Gov. Phil Murphy unveiled the official portrait of the late Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver, honoring her career and legacy.
Oliver, who served as Murphy’s lieutenant governor from 2018 until her passing in 2023 from a medical condition, was remembered as a dedicated public servant, a history-making leader, and a champion for the people of New Jersey. The portrait’s commissioning was announced by Murphy shortly after her death, with Thursday’s unveiling marking its permanent installation in the Statehouse.
“We’re deeply honored by this tribute to our beloved Sheila,” the Oliver family said in a joint statement. “This portrait captures her grace and strength, reflecting her lifelong commitment to uplifting others and creating a more compassionate New Jersey. We’re grateful that her memory will continue to inspire future generations through this lasting recognition.”
Murphy was joined by Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way and Oliver’s niece, Renee Oliver, in paying tribute to the state’s first woman of color elected to statewide office and the first Black woman to serve as Speaker of the General Assembly. As lieutenant governor, Oliver also led the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
“I am honored to join Lieutenant Governor Way and the Oliver family in honoring Sheila’s tremendous life and legacy,” Murphy said. “Sheila’s passion and strong dedication to the people of New Jersey left a lasting mark on our state. Her legacy as a trailblazer and loyal public servant will now be immortalized in the halls of the Statehouse forever, inspiring generations to come.”
The portrait, commissioned by the New Jersey State Museum and painted by Ohio-born artist Kathy Krantz Fieramosca, depicts Oliver in a red sweater against a blue-gray background.
Thursday’s ceremony followed last month’s unveiling of the portrait of former Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, the state’s first to hold the office. Guadagno reflected on Oliver’s tenure, calling her “a trusted, highly respected colleague whose historic tenure as Assembly Speaker overlapped with my time as Lieutenant Governor.”
“Lieutenant Governors hold a vital and often unsung role in New Jersey state government,” Guadagno said. “Lieutenant Governor Oliver made a lasting mark on our state through her incredible career of public service.”
