By Julia Train
March is Women’s History Month, and Atlantic City’s Women’s March will be highlighting the life and legacy of the late Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver.
The sixth annual march to celebrate women will be held on March 23 at 10 a.m., moving from its starting point at Road Island Avenue on the Atlantic City Boardwalk and concluding at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
On the day of the march, hundreds of participants, consisting mostly of local women from nearby women’s groups, sororities, event speakers and talents and the march’s leadership committee, will walk down the Boardwalk to celebrate every woman who made an impact in history.
“We just wanted to highlight women,” said Stephenine Dixon, co-chair of the Atlantic City Women’s March Committee. “We’re always in the background doing the work, but not acknowledged enough to be in the forefront.”
When the procession reaches Boardwalk Hall, there will be a tribute to the lieutenant governor, who passed away in August after a brief hospitalization for an undisclosed medical issue.
Oliver’s family, friends and coworkers will be there to tell her story in Boardwalk Hall’s ballroom with songs, poetry and speakers such as senators, assembly people, congresswomen and the new Lt. Gov. Tahesha Way.
As Oliver was the march’s first keynote speaker in 2019, Dixon thought it was fitting to pay tribute to her.
Over a three-decade political career, Oliver was an advocate for social and racial justice, boosting struggling cities, and bolstering gun safety. She was also a routinely poetic public speaker, according to NJ.com.
She was New Jersey’s second lieutenant governor, the first Black one, and the first Black woman to hold statewide elected office in New Jersey. Oliver also made history in 2010 when she became the first Black woman to lead the state Assembly.
“‘If they don’t give you a seat at the table, you make your own table,’ was one of her favorite quotes,” said Dixon, remembering Oliver’s past speeches. “Through the works of her life and legacy, she has created her own table.”
When picking speakers for this year, the committee looked for people who have worked with Oliver and were in her personal life, so that her full story could be shared.
This year’s keynote speaker is Rev. Dr. Regena Thomas, former secretary of state of New Jersey under Gov. James McGreevey and is currently the Women, Health and Civil Rights Advocacy Director for the American Federation of Teachers.
Dixon recalled the atmosphere is peaceful and feels “like everyone knew each other from day one, even though they didn’t.” She said that the women leave feeling empowered after the unity.
“We’re just uplifting women, bringing them together, letting them know that we’re here for support in any way we can,” said Dixon. “Just give them a day in Women’s History Month to celebrate each and every one of those that march with us.”
To reserve a spot and learn more, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-atlantic-city-womens-march-tickets-853885533617?aff=oddtdtcreator
