Well as Assembly Speaker, Oliver was a vocal critic of then Governor Chris Christie.

But her time in that role is largely remembered for backing a controversial push led by Christie and former Senate President Steve Sweeney.

Requiring public workers to contribute more to the state's underfunded pension system.

Oliver's colleagues say she never shied away from an issue she believed in, even if it cost her politically.

I'm joined now by former longtime Senate majority leader and fellow trailblazer Loretta Weinberg.

Senator Weinberg, thanks for being with us tonight.

You and the lieutenant governor were formidable in Trenton.

Who was Sheila Oliver to you?

Well, first of all, Sheila was a friend she was a friend to whom I could speak.

We could talk off the record, behind the scenes.

And talk about common goals and how we might reach them.

She I don't know how many people realize how much she gave, particularly to the women of New Jersey.

She was the co-chair of our ad hoc women's group that spent quite a few months looking into issues around sexual harassment on both the government and in the political environment.

She knew how to be in the back room of power and yet not always go along.

But how you move the agenda forward which is an art form.

We texted back and forth every so often and I looked over some of the text today, particularly the one where she said to me, and I think I'm quoting pretty accurately, women should be at the table and in the room and in the fray.

And Sheila was never afraid of the fray.

She rose to the pinnacle of power for women in New Jersey, as I think only a second woman and first African-American woman to be speaker of the Assembly, then as the first African-American woman to be lieutenant governor, But she always used her power not for self-aggrandizement, but on behalf of the residents of New Jersey.

And she is going to be sorely missed, Senator, in our state.

Yeah.

Is it that that call to be a public servant, you think that really solidified your bond, or was it more the issues because you both championed very similar issues during your tenure?

Well, I think it was the ability to not be afraid when you really had to move forward.

And Sheila wasn't afraid.

She knew what she had to do, and she did it and she did it well.

So she is going to be missed.

Rest in peace.

Sheila Oliver, thank you.

Senator Weinberg, our condolences to you and, of course, to the Oliver family.

Thank you very much.

My condolences to her family and to the residents of the state of New Jersey.

Thank you, Briana.