Newark Native Senator Sandra B. Cunningham to Speak on Political Panel on April 20th

Newark Native Senator Sandra B. Cunningham will speak at Emerge New Jersey’s Second Annual Building The Bench Breakfast on Thursday, April 20, 2017. The premier political training organization for Democratic women in the stat will host its event at the New Jersey Education Association office on 180 West State Street in Trenton, New Jersey.

The Second Annual Building The Bench Breakfast will begin at 8am with opening remarks delivered by U.S. Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, a long-time supporter of Emerge New Jersey. Thereafter, a political power panel with Senator Cunningham, Assemblywoman Valerie Huttle and Assemblywoman Mila Jasey will take place. After the panel, Emerge New Jersey will honor the states female movers and shakers with its "Bench Builder" award for their Democratic efforts in the Garden State.

“Today, our work is more important than ever, as recent actions by the new administration have shown how real the threat is to women’s collective rights and liberties,” said Emerge New Jersey Executive Director Truscha Quatrone, “The Building The Bench Breakfast will bring these issues to the forefront through our selection of dynamic Democratic women, who understand the importance of working together and have become catalysts for change in New Jersey’s communities.”

Senator Cunningham was elected to the state senate in 2007, where she represents the 31st Legislative District, which is comprised of Bayonne and Jersey City. She holds the distinction of becoming the first woman elected to the State House from the 31st Legislative District. She is a member of the Senate Leadership, serving as Majority Whip, in which she is responsible for advancing the legislative agenda of the Democratic Caucus.

Prior to serving in the State Senate, Senator Cunningham was the former Executive Director of the Hudson County Bar Association. Previously, she was a Community and Public Relations Coordinator for Essex-Newark Legal Services. She was also the Deputy Director of the Metropolitan Ecumenical Ministry where she initiated programs to expand the role of the church in the community.

Senator Cunningham is a native of Newark, New Jersey and is a graduate of Bloomfield College where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. She also attended New York Academy of Theater Arts, and received a Fundraising Certificate from New York University.

General admission tickets for the event are $175.00 per person and $100.00 for Emerge New Jersey alumnae. The RSVP deadline is Tuesday, April 18, 2017. To purchase a ticket or event sponsorship, go to http://www.emergenj.org/content/emerge-new-jerseys-second-annual-building-bench-breakfast

For more information, please contact Emerge New Jersey Executive Director Truscha Quatrone at truscha@emergenj.org or (973) 519-0033.