NJMMA was honored to host New Jersey’s First Lady, Tammy Snyder Murphy, as a special guest speaker on the second day of the 2021 New Jersey Municipal Management Association (NJMMA) Fall Conference. Mrs. Murphy spoke about her work with Governor Murphy’s Administration to create a stronger and fairer New Jersey. As First Lady, her policy initiatives focus on infant and maternal health, climate change education, and fostering women-owned businesses.

Ms. Murphy has worked to create Family Festivals across the state to increase access to resources for mothers, children, and families; worked with the New Jersey Department of Education to incorporate climate change throughout the K-12 state education guidelines to better prepare our students for the future economy; and partnered with the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to increase angel investing in women-led businesses. She expressed her sincere appreciation for NJMMA and local government workers as they continue to work to improve the quality of local government in New Jersey through professional management.

“I want to extend my gratitude for and admiration of each of you for your leadership over the past 19 months,” said Murphy. “Doing work for the local government is one of the hardest jobs there is, even in the best of times. In times of crisis, you are on the front line answering questions, finding solutions, providing vital services and diffusing tension.”

Mrs. Murphy also praised attendees for continuing to prevail even in recent times of hardship within the state. “Local government workers are dedicated and innovative professionals and we are proud and grateful to count you as partners as we work to guide New Jersey through its recovery from the COVID pandemic and in many places rebuild and recover from tropical storm Ida,” expressed Murphy.