2026 Evening of Hope Honoree – Legacy of Service Award
Valerie Vainieri Huttle has devoted her career to strengthening communities, expanding access to the arts, and advancing policies that improve the lives of New Jersey’s families. Valerie served eight terms as a member of the New Jersey State Assembly, representing the 37th Legislative District from 2006 to 2022. During her tenure, she rose to the role of Deputy Speaker and chaired the Human Services Committee, where she championed legislation supporting human services, senior care, women’s equity, environmental stewardship, and access to cultural and educational opportunities.
Prior to her service in the Assembly, Valerie was a member of the Bergen County Board of Chosen Freeholders (now known as the Board of County Commissioners) from 2001 to 2006, serving as Chairwoman from 2003 to 2004. During this same period of time, her commitment to supporting survivors of domestic violence was evidenced by her membership on the Board of Trustees of Center for Hope & Safety—then known as Shelter Our Sisters—from 2001 to 2007. She served as Vice-President from 2004 to 2005.
During her years in state office, Valerie sponsored and co-sponsored hundreds of bills and legislative initiatives that continue to have a lasting impact across the state. Her work on behalf of those impacted by domestic violence addressed issues and instituted reforms ranging from expanding the definition of domestic violence, seizing ammunition in response to a domestic violence restraining order, and notifying family members when firearms are returned to a person charged with domestic violence, to providing rental and lease protections for domestic violence victims and establishing a protocol to help public employers support employees who are victims.
Her advocacy was instrumental in strengthening the state’s landmark Prevention of Domestic Violence Act of 1991, including:
- Establishing the New Jersey Task Force on Domestic Violence and Abuse
- Authorizing courts to include in domestic violence restraining orders a provision making the order applicable to a pregnant victim’s child upon birth of the child
- Expanding the domestic violence statutes to encompass minors aged 16 and older
- Establishing mandatory domestic violence training for municipal prosecutors
- Requiring training for law enforcement officers concerning handling of domestic violence cases
Valerie’s leadership at both the county and state levels reflected a deep commitment to ensuring that individuals and families impacted by domestic violence “have access to every measure of support to help them reclaim their lives and move on from the trauma of abuse.” It is our privilege to present her with a 2026 Legacy of Service Award in honor of her dedication and support.