Newark Women

Category: 1890-1909 (Born)

Mary and Louise Curcio

Jun 13, 2023

in 1890-1909 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Education, Museums and Libraries, Entertainers, Theater and Music, People With Disabilities, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

c. 1901-1973? , c. 1904-1987 The featured photo (above) is Mary Curcio, Daily News, 1931. Mary and Louise Curcio were two blind sisters born to Eva Bender and Paul Curcio in Newark. They lived on Morris Avenue. Mary entered school for the first time at Washington St. Public School when the first class for the…
Mildred Roberts Helms

Feb 2, 2023

in 1890-1909 (Born), African Americans, Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Community Activists

1907-2002 Mildred Helms was a community activist, who encouraged the building of affordable housing in Clinton Hill. In 1972, she helped found the Clinton Hill Area Development Corp which built 151 units of housing in Clinton Hill Community Gardens. Mayor Sharpe James said, “She was a creative, wonderful, hardworking woman….With a ready smile, winning sense…
Willie Belle Hooper

Jan 18, 2023

in 1890-1909 (Born), African Americans, Education, Museums and Libraries, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

1906-1999 Willie Belle Cooper was born in Georgia (maiden name: Saunders) and attended school, including getting a teaching certificate in Florence, S.C, after which she taught in several rural schools. According to her daughter, Newark would not accept her teaching certificate. In her oral history she says she tried to get “in school” and couldn’t…
Asimina Speros Zois

Jan 10, 2023

in 1890-1909 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Business & Entrepreneur, Immigrant (born outside the Continental US), Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

1909-1987 Asimina Zois began sending care packages back to her native village in Greece after WWII, and later sent packages to Vietnam servicemen all over the world. In 1969 the post office gave her a Humanitarian Award for her work. She said, “What we throw away in this country they can use over there. The…
Maggie Clay Beckett

Jan 9, 2023

in 1890-1909 (Born), African Americans, Business & Entrepreneur, Phyllis Wheatley Society, Social Work, Civic and Philanthropy

c. 1892-1972 Maggie Clay Beckett founded the James H. Beckett funeral home with her husband. Maggie was President of the New Jersey State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs 1943-1947, as well as former Vice President. She was the first advisor to the Junior Federation. She was instrumental in presenting a pageant with the group at…
Rose Slavitt

Jan 6, 2023

in 1890-1909 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Business & Entrepreneur, Financial, Jewish Women

1895-1969 Rose Slavitt was the first woman to manage a department at Prudential Insurance Co in 1952. She was manager of Debit Policy Division 2 and worked for Prudential for many years, starting a messenger. She said, “This is a terrific challenge to me…The confidence my superiors have shown by giving me this promotion is…
Tina Eugene Holtzclaw Bohannon

Oct 16, 2022

in 1890-1909 (Born), African Americans, Education, Museums and Libraries, Entertainers, Theater and Music

1905-1999 Tina Bohannon was an early Black teacher in Newark, hired before 1945, firstly as a “permanent sub” at Cleveland Junior High, because Black teachers could not be officially hired above primary level. Afterward, she taught at 7th Avenue School and Robert Treat Elementary School, and finally became Guidance Chairman at Arts High for 13…
May C. Korb Cronham McBath

Oct 8, 2022

in 1890-1909 (Born), Born or raised in Newark (high school or before), Entertainers, Theater and Music

1892-1978 Soprano who performed throughout the United States and Canada at least through the 1930s. The Newark News called her a “church and concert soloist” and mentioned she performed at Aeolian Hall in New York in 1922. She also sang opera. She was a soloist in South Park Presbyterian Church and Second Presbyterian Church. She…