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Profile

Rebecca Williams is serving her first term as Chair of the Union County Board of Commissioners this year, having first been elected to a full term in 2019. Known for an emphasis on constituent outreach, quality of life matters, fiscal issues, and support for arts and culture initiatives, she has been in the forefront of LGBTQ advocacy, working with the Union County Office of LGBTQ Affairs to address housing, senior services, education, health, public safety, and community engagement. This year, Chair Williams was honored to be chosen as NJ’s Number One LGBTQ+ elected official on Insider NJ's Annual Insider Out 100: LGBTQ+ Power List. Among other accolades, she has been honored by Gov. Phil Murphy as a “Champion of Equality” for her LGBTQ advocacy.
Last year, alongside her colleagues, Williams broke ground on Union County’s first inclusive LGBTQ+ affirming park space, Tëmike Park, located within Cedar Brook Park in Plainfield. As Past Chair of the county’s Policy and Administrative Code Committee, she was instrumental in updating ordinances, policies, and codes, and has also served on the Fiscal, Public Safety/Homeland Security, Parks and Programs, and Open Space and Historic Preservation Trust Board Committees, respectively.
Prior to her election to the Commissioner Board, Williams served two terms on the Plainfield City Council. She prides herself on her continued openness and accessibility as a “grassroots” public servant, reaching out to constituents to ensure their concerns are resolved.
In addition to her legislative work, Chair Williams is a full-time faculty member of the Humanities Division at Essex County College, where she teaches American Literature, African American Literature, English Composition, Women’s Literature, and Cinema. Past Eastern Division President of the Community College Humanities Association, she is a proud NJEA member and currently serves on several college committees and as co-faculty advisor to the college’s Gay/Straight Alliance.

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