Asw. Rosy Bagolie

New Jersey Assemblywoman Dr. Rosy Bagolie’s life story exemplifies resilience, hard work, and opportunity. A dedicated advocate for women’s rights, working families, and educational excellence, she brings a unique and powerful perspective to the legislative table as a Jewish-Latina immigrant having emigrated from the Dominican Republic to pursue the American Dream.

At the age of seven, Asw. Bagolie arrived in Elizabeth, New Jersey, with her family, who faced significant challenges as they adjusted to life in America. Without speaking English and struggling with poverty, her parents made tremendous sacrifices to provide their children with opportunities they never had. Her father gave up a promising naval career, while her mother’s Dutch-Jewish family, who had fled Holland to Curacao and then Santo Domingo, instilled in her the importance of perseverance. These formative experiences fueled Assemblywoman Bagolie’s lifelong passion for education as a tool to overcome adversity.

Asw. Bagolie holds a Master’s in Elementary Education and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Seton Hall University, along with a Master’s in Special Education from Rutgers University. Her career in education, dedicated to helping New Jersey’s most underserved communities, began as a bilingual public school teacher in her hometown of Elizabeth and has evolved into leadership roles, including her current position as Superintendent and Principal of the East Newark School District. As one of New Jersey’s few Latina State Legislators and Superintendents, she is committed to addressing the unique challenges faced by working families while ensuring that every child has the tools they need to succeed.

A champion of Hispanic heritage, Asw. Bagolie launched Livingston’s first-ever Hispanic heritage festival, SAZÓN, as Chairwoman of the town’s Committee for Diversity and Inclusion, working alongside a young Latina student to celebrate cultural traditions and foster community pride. In recognition of her contributions, she was honored as the Essex County Board of County Commissioners’ 2023 Outstanding Hispanic Woman of Essex County.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of Asw. Bagolie’s work. Over her 23-year career in education, she has mentored countless young women, including her former 7th grade student, now her Chief of Staff, Genesis Algaba-Ensor, a first-generation Nicaraguan immigrant. Genesis’s success story reflects Asw. Bagolie’s own belief in the transformative power of education.

As a Jewish Latina, Asw. Bagolie uniquely bridges cultural divides, advocating for unity and standing against antisemitism and anti-immigrant sentiment. Her dual heritage enables her to connect with diverse constituencies and build coalitions that reflect New Jersey’s rich diversity.

In the New Jersey Assembly, Asw. Bagolie serves on the Financial Institutions & Insurance and Education Committees, focusing on expanding economic opportunities, strengthening education, and ensuring community safety. In her first year, she introduced or co-sponsored over 200 bills, including the Cancer Patient Care and Compassion Act to protect cancer patients from financial ruin and the NJ Household Water Assistance Program to support families facing hardships.