Wear your shoes ladies, there is broken glass everywhere.

Yesterday, the nation watched as the first woman, the first Black woman and first South Asian woman was sworn into office as our Vice President.

On the heels of this historic moment, I am incredibly honored and humbled to have received an outpouring of support from so many of New Jersey’s trail-blazing, powerhouse women.

The support of the Women’s Political Caucus of New Jersey and PAM’s List speaks volumes to the importance of women’s voices in politics, voices that are too often counted out or talked over.

As District 37’s Assemblywoman, I have worked to empower and to uplift the women in my community. Through my Young Women’s Leadership Program, I have mentored high school girls in District 37, teaching them about politics and government, building the bench for a future where women’s representation in government matches that of men.

Additionally, as co-chair of the Assembly Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, I have worked to harness the power of New Jersey’s elected women leaders, regardless of party. Together, we have worked to cultivate the next generation of women leaders, working with female elected officials in local government – from Mayors, to Councilwomen to County Commissioners.

Over the course of the last few years, the number of women in the legislature has decreased. As District 37 works to replace arguably the most prominent woman in the legislature, it would be an incredible blow to not replace Senator Weinberg with anyone other than another champion for women’s rights and empowerment.