Category: African Americans
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Wilma Jackson Grey
1945- Wilma Grey was the first African American woman to be the director of Newark Public Library, from 2005-2015. She was an employee of the Newark Public Library for 46 years. Wilma grew up in Newark, near the library’s Roseville branch where she enjoyed reading Nancy Drew. She graduated Arts High School in 1962, as…
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Barbara George
c. 1953-2000 Barbara George was the first woman and first African American woman police captain. Sharpe James called her a “trailblazer, role model and…hero”. Barbara was the sister of Gigi Foushee, who also served with the police, one of 7 children. After graduating Weequahic in 1970 and Bloomfield College, she taught science. Barbara joined the…
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Trish Morris-Yamba
1944*-2019 Trish Morris-Yamba was recognized as a visionary in the field of early childhood education, founding the CHEN school and working as director of the Newark Day Center for 32 years. Trish Morris-Yamba was born in New York and attended Rutgers Livingston College. By 1973, she was founding director of the CHEN school for preschool…
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Mary E. Cary Burrell
1866-1947 Mary Burrell was a strong member of NJ State Federation of Women’s Clubs from 1915, running the Legislative Department, while living in East Orange, working for causes including suffrage and prison reform (chairman of prison reform). Mary was born Mary E Cary, in Virginia. By 1920, she lived in Newark on Howard Street and…
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Mary Thompson King
c. 1806 – 19 Mar 1894 Mary Thompson married Jacob King on Oct 22, 1829. With her husband, she ran an Underground Railroad stop out of 70 Warren St. Jacob was treasurer of the Colored Anti Slavery Society of Newark. Marcia was the mother of Marcia King Stillwell, Ellen C. King, & Harriet A. King…
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Rosamond Stewart Marrow
1903-1972 Bob Queen called Rosamond (Rosamund) Stewart Marrow, “one of NJ’s most outstanding personalities over the past half century.” Rosamond founded Simplex Beauty School, which was at 126-128 West Kinney Street. She was also a founder of the Cosmetologists Guild. She was president of the Board of the Community Hospital (African American hospital, previously Kenney)…
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Adelina “Addie” McIntyre Garris
1869 – 1936 Adelia McIntyre is cited by William Ashby and the Afro American as one of the earliest African American teachers in Newark. Adelina lived at 13 Academy St and 69 Plane St. She is listed as “Mulatto” on the 1880 census and “White” on the 1895 and 1930 Censuses. She atended Commerce Street…
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Lettie Mae Mulford
1883-1970 *sometimes listed as “Lettie Mulford” or “May Mulford” Lettie Mae Mulford was a eacher in the Newark Public School System for 42 years. She was a daughter of the first African American Newark High School student Clara Mulford, and sister of nurse Eva Mulford. Lettie graduated Newark High School in 1901. In 1904, she…