Senator Shirley K. Turner, D-15, is serving her eighth term in the New Jersey Senate.
Prior to serving in the Senate, Shirley served two terms in the Assembly in 1993 and 1995. During the 208th Legislature, Sen. Turner became the first woman, and the first African-American person to be elected as Senate President Pro Tempore.
Sen. Turner has worked in a bipartisan fashion to build a significant record of legislative accomplishments, working to enhance the health, safety, and well-being of New Jersey’s children, strengthen families, promote public education and affordable health care; develop and support small businesses, and also fostering economic development, and job growth. The breadth of legislation she has sponsored reflects the needs and interests of her diverse district.
As a career educator, Sen. Turner has been dedicated to New Jersey’s youth, helping them to build bright futures.
She is a former Trenton public school teacher, a former EOF counselor to disadvantaged youth who are first-generation college students, and a former counselor for the New Jersey Youth Corps to help prepare youth for employment.
She is the former Director of Career Services at Rider University, where she worked advising college students and alumni in their career plans.
She received a B.S. in education from The College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College) and a M.A. in guidance and counseling from Rider University. She earned doctoral credits in education at Rutgers University.
Sen. Turner is a former Mercer County Freeholder and Freeholder vice president. She and her husband Donald live in Lawrenceville.
American history resonates with the names of great African-American men and women, and Black History Month is our nation’s way of showing respect and recognition for the hard work of and sacrifices made by African Americans. Mercer County throughout the month will celebrate because Black History is American History! Watch this space for upcoming events!
Source: SenatorTurner.com