Sen. Allen gave remarks in the Senate Chamber after becoming the first legislator from New Jersey to be elected chair of the NFWL.
TRENTON — State Sen. Diane Allen, R-7, was officially installed as chair for the National Foundation for Women Legislators (NFWL) in a ceremony at the State House on Monday.
South Carolina Councilwoman and outgoing chair Joyce Dickerson administered the oath and was joined by Representative Gayle Harrell, of Florida, New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney, New Jersey Sen. Tom Kean, Jr., and New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.
Sen. Allen gave remarks in the Senate Chamber after becoming the first legislator from New Jersey to be elected chair of the NFWL.
”It is a great honor to have been elected by my colleagues to serve as chair of this organization whose mission is so important,” Sen. Allen said. “We need our legislatures to reflect the people they represent. Fifty-two percent of our population is comprised of women. We currently have 79 women serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and 20 serving in the U.S. Senate.
”The number of women in statewide elected executive posts is 75, while the proportion of women in state legislatures is just 24.3 percent,” she added. “We need to do a better job of electing women to all levels of government and I am looking forward to an exciting year of working to do just that through the NFWL.”
Councilwoman Dickerson said she was “thrilled” to pass the torch to Sen. Allen.
”Senator Allen is a dynamic, dedicated leader who will work tirelessly to ensure NFWL continues as a strong, thriving institution, empowering and supporting women elected officials,” she said.
”Senator Diane Allen has been an outstanding leader for the National Foundation for Women Legislators,” added Representative Gayle Harrell. “In her new role as chair, she has the experience, determination and leadership skills to take NFWL to the next level. I am excited for her and for our organization.”
Sen. Allen was previously installed as president of the National Order of Women Legislators (NOWL) on Nov., 21, 2013. Sen. Allen has been a member of the NOWL, the membership arm of NFWL, since 1998.
According to a press release, the mission of the organization, established in 1938, is to provide strategic resources to women leaders for leadership development and effective governance through conferences, seminars, education materials, professional and personal relationships and networking at both the state and federal levels.
The foundation reaches nearly 4,000 women legislators across the U.S. and its territories.

