Bonnie Watson Coleman honored at New Brunswick Performing Arts Center

The New Brunswick Preforming Arts Center held a moderated discussion featuring Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-12) on Monday, celebrating and reflecting on her political career as she is set to retire at the end of the 119th congress. Veteran political strategist Donna Brazile joined her on stage to guide the discussion, asking about issues relating to the current political climate, how women of color rise in the ranks of power, and the increasing pervasiveness of social media today.

The ceremony opened with speakers voicing their gratitude for Congresswoman Coleman for all the work she has done and the inspiration she has provided for black women going into politics. Marilyn Davis, founder and CEO of MDD Connections, reflected on her efforts to convince Coleman to run for Congress in 2014. Ultimately leading to her campaign and election in the same year.

Another speaker was Rep. LaMonica McIver, the first black woman to represent New Jersey District 10. McIver delivered an emotional speech, citing times when Congresswoman Coleman acted as a trailblazer for women of color to break the race barrier in American politics. “She’s been speaking up for me at any chance she gets, because she’s never been afraid to stand on her principles,” McIver said. “I know that I am not the only one she fights for. Far from it. Bonnie fights for us all.”

Coleman hopes to inspire the next generation to achieve even greater things and to introduce more avenues for women of color to express themselves through. She believes women can hold any position through hard work and intellect. Coleman highlighted the importance of future generations of women to have the same opportunities and rights as the older ones. “Whatever your race or ethnicity is, women can be anywhere our intellect takes us and we need to be able to celebrate when one of our sisters gets elevated,” Coleman said.

Coleman said that women saw changes were necessary in avenues such as education, job opportunities, and fairness and pay, prompting them to join politics. She said this was not because chasing a title is important, but because change is.

Coleman reflected on her career, where she started as a field representative in the Division of Civil Rights. Speaking to the crowd, Coleman said she always tried her best to promote diversity and give people of color more opportunities. Coleman thanked god and her family for keeping her grounded during her journey and for providing her with the strength to keep going.

Coleman spoke on recent events in Minneapolis as well and applauded their bravery, urging the rest to come together and fight what she called “atrocities” of the current administration. She said that it is necessary to hold elected officials accountable and to vote for those who are willing to protect and fight for the rights of the people.

Coleman said that everyone has a purpose and should pursue that purpose to drive their career. She also called upon faith groups, and black fraternities and sororities to come together to find unity, spread information and vote to make their voices heard. “We need to change the makeup of Congress,” she said. “When we change the makeup of the Congress, when we change the makeup of the House and the Senate, we have to hold those folks who are going to be taking over accountable, also like we’re supposed to show up, and so the only way that we’re actually going to be able to change things is to change the ratio of them and us in The House and in the Senate.”

Bonnie Watson Coleman is the retiring Democrat representative for New Jersey’s 12th congressional district. She was honored after she was named the 2026 Senator Wynona Lipman Chair in Women’s Political Leadership by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics.