The New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women will hold its annual Peg Roberts Award Luncheon and honor female elected officials from north, central and south Jersey at its yearly meeting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at The Fiesta, 255 State Route 17 South in Wood-Ridge. The recipient of the 2014 Peg Roberts Award Margaret Martin serves as operations director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee where she continues to work on behalf Democratic candidates throughout the state and counsels and guides numerous young people interested in politics.

The New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women         

532 Polk Street, Riverside, NJ 08075

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

 

– NJFDW to honor women at annual awards luncheon –

The New Jersey Federation of Democratic Women will hold its annual Peg Roberts Award Luncheon and honor female elected officials from north, central and south Jersey at its yearly meeting from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, April 26, at The Fiesta, 255 State Route 17 South in Wood-Ridge.

The recipient of the 2014 Peg Roberts Award Margaret Martin serves as operations director of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee where she continues to work on behalf Democratic candidates throughout the state and counsels and guides numerous young people interested in politics.

According to Nancee May, NJFDW president, the award is presented to women who exhibit loyalty and dedication to the Democratic Party while mentoring future generations to do the same. The award is named in honor of former Assembly Speaker Joe Roberts’ mother who worked tirelessly in her community to promote democratic principles and objectives.

“An officer of the NJFDW, Margaret is the embodiment of old world politics with political street smarts,” said May. “She came to the Garden State from Arkansas where she started at the grassroots level passing out literature and working at polling places.

“Margaret was the first African American in the history of the Arkansas Democratic Party to serve as both vice chair and chair of the 200 + member Pulaski County Democratic Committee, was featured as a trailblazer for her accomplishments in both local and national publications, is in Who’s Who Among American Black Elected Officials and Who’s Who Among Black Women.”

At one point in her political career, Martin was a caseworker in the office of NJ Senator Harrison A. Williams. Also, she continues to have a close relationship with both former Presi-dent Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary Clinton. In addition to her role at the NJDSC and as NJFDW corresponding secretary and as a member of the Mercer County Federation of Democratic Women, Martin — since moving to New Jersey well over a decade ago — has become a member of the National Congress of Black Women Inc., the Urban League Guild of Union County, and the Mercer County Democratic Committee where she serves as its second vice chair.

The Annual Distinguished Elected Official Award will also be presented at the luncheon to

NJ Senator Nia Gill (D-34th), Middlesex County Sheriff Millie Scott and Burlington County Freeholder Aimee Belgard.

“The federation’s northern, central and southern regional chapter’s members selected Gill, Scott and Belgard for their many years of dedication to public service, for supporting legis-lation that benefits all the citizens of the State of New Jersey and for working to promote the Democratic Party’s policies, goals and ideals,” said May.

Tickets for the event are $40 and can be purchased at the door or by e-mailing Monica Honis, who is chairing this year’s event, at mah4228@yahoo.com.