Category: Community Activists

Violet Johnson

May 5, 2022

in 1870-1889 (Born), African Americans, Community Activists, Lifting As We Climb Mural, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy, Suffrage

1870-1939 Violet Johnson was a civic leader and suffragist in Summit. She was active in the New Jersey Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and the New Jersey Women Suffrage Association. Violet Johnson’s life has been expertly chronicled in Betty Livingston Adam’s book Black Women’s Christian Activism and her biographical sketch linked below. Bibliography Adams, Betty…
Florence Spearing Randolph

Apr 14, 2022

in 1850-1869 (Born), African Americans, Community Activists, Lifting As We Climb Mural, Religious, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy, Suffrage

1866-1951 Florence Randolph was a suffragist, ordained minister and clubwomen. She was organizer of the NJ Federation of Colored Womens’s Clubs. Randolph’s life has been covered widely in several publications including the sources below. In Newark, Randolph was pastor of AME Zion Church. Florence lived in Jersey City for many years and died there in…
Ann VanWagenen Plume & Nancy Vischer Plume

Apr 10, 2022

in 1820 and Before (Born), Community Activists, Other Careers

1752-1816 and Bef. 1710-Aft. 1710 Ann VanWagenen Plume was married to Isaac Plumne. It is said that during the Revolutionary War, Hessians began destroying her property. She got so angry, the soldiers retreated. A few days later, she found a Hessian soldier in her ice house and trapped him inside. She gave him to the…
Clara McGuire Dasher

Apr 3, 2022

in 1910-1929 (Born), African Americans, Community Activists, Education, Museums and Libraries

1930-1995 Clara Dasher was President of the Essex County College Board of Trustees and a longtime active member and leader of the Newark Teacher’s Union. Clara was a teacher from 1959-1973. She was an assistant to Carole Graves and Vice President, who took over leadership of the Teachers Union while Carole was in jail for…
Mary Thompson King

Mar 12, 2022

in 1820 and Before (Born), African Americans, Community Activists

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…
Mary Philbrook

Mar 10, 2022

in 1870-1889 (Born), Community Activists, Law and Law Enforcement, Suffrage

1872-1958 Mary Philbrook was the first female attorney admitted to the bar in New Jersey. She practiced in Newark for many years. While there are several large biographies of Mary already written (see below), she was in Newark from 1899 until World War 1, and again from 1920 through the end of her life. In…
Carole Anderson Graves

Mar 6, 2022

in 1930-1959 (Born), African Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Community Activists, Education, Museums and Libraries, Politics & Government

1938- Carol Graves was President of the Newark Teacher’s Union and leader of the 1970/1971 Teachers’ Strikes. She was sentenced to 6 months in jail for her refusal to end the strike. She later ran for General Assembly and served as Essex County Register. Born Carole Anderson, Carole graduated Arts High in 1955. Carole was…
Florence Peshine Eagleton

Mar 5, 2022

in 1870-1889 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Community Activists, Education, Museums and Libraries, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy, Suffrage

1870-1953 Florence Eagleton was active in suffrage and a civic leader in NJ. She was a lifelong Newark resident. Florence Peshine Eagleton a suffragist who was was vice President of the NJ Suffrage Association and president of the Woman’s Political Union. She was a founder of the New Jersey League of Woman Voters. Florence was…