Jane Grey Burgio

By Annabelle Sebastian

Image courtesy of a Private Collection

Jane Grey Burgio (1922-2005), a Republican from West Caldwell, was the first female secretary of state in New Jersey. 

Before entering politics, Burgio was an admirer of the arts. As a child, she attended workshops at the Newark Museum, and, following High School, she attended the Newark School of Fine and Industrial Art, and designed window displays for Kresge’s department store. Though she soon decided becoming an artist wasn’t for her, she carried her love of it into politics.

While in school, Burgio joined the Young Republicans and worked for the Republican Party. After having taken a break to be a homemaker, Burgio began getting involved in politics again, supporting Congressman Robert Kean in his election. In 1963, Burgio was elected as Essex County Republican Committee Woman, and in 1971 she was elected as vice chair. In 1973, she was elected as the first woman to represent New Jersey’s 25th District in the assembly. She served for four terms, until 1981, when, shortly after, she was appointed as Governor Thomas Kean’s secretary of state.

During her eight years as secretary of state, Burgio brought under her control the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey State Museum, the New Jersey State Historical Commission, the Division of Archives and Records, and the Ethnic Advisory Council. She worked closely with the New Jersey Council on the Arts, supported the New Jersey State Historical Commission in expanding the amount of grants given to researchers, and she supported restoration projects for Morven, the home of Richard Stockton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 

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References:

Burstyn, Joan N. 1990. “Jane Grey Burgio”. Past and Promise, Lives of New Jersey Women. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/54486297 

Suggested Citation:

Sebastian, Annabelle. “Jane Grey Burgio.” New Jersey Women’s History, Rowan University Libraries, 2024. https://njwomenshistory.org/biographies/jane-grey-burgio/.