Gov. Phil Murphy, U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and other political dignitaries honored the life and legacy of Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver in Newark on Friday. Her casket was escorted to the Essex County Historic Courthouse, where members of the public were also able to pay their respects. It was the second day in a three-day celebration of Oliver, who died on Aug. 1 at age 71.

Oliver was the first Black Assembly speaker in New Jersey and influenced a generation of younger women of color in politics. Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex), said, “I’m living proof of the impact of Sheila Oliver … If it were not for her, there would not be people like me. She shattered ceilings when she was the only one in those spaces. And so many of us have had the opportunity to ride on her shoulders.”

“Sheila was always the smartest person in the room in my opinion, but she didn’t like flaunting it, you know,” said Essex County Sheriff Armando Fontoura.

A funeral service for Oliver will take place Saturday at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark.